Calling – Interview with Dr. Rob Blackaby (Episode 4)
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28 responses to “Calling – Interview with Dr. Rob Blackaby (Episode 4)”
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The part that stood out to me was the aspect of community input through the significant decisions he made during his time in ministry. There were spiritual leaders and church members who were a part of his initial call to ministry, calling to be a pastor and transitioning to a different calling.
I see this as so crucial because in modern society, people value community and their input less and less. In an era where individualism is commonplace, having that communal aspect is crucial as God’s design for the church and ministry was one to be done communally.
In every step of ministry, from serving youth group in high school, going to Egypt for missions trip and now serving at uVillage Church, the conversation started almost every time not from my initial interest but someone like my parents, my mentor or my pastor approaching me. Even my current job working as an Educational Assistant at Vancouver Christian School was one that I never imagined but discovered through my close friends and mentor. The community aspect cannot be neglected in discerning our calling.
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I agree with Blackaby that the identity is at the root of the issue. A misplaced identity has a one to one relationship with false callings. There are two types of false callings: False positive and false negative. Both are bad, but both are avoidable.
The false positive calling is like treating the church like a secular organization and being the pastor is like the CEO of a corporation. The issue with the identity here is that we put our identity on our role, performance and approval. These things actually come and go, like Blackaby said that he couldn’t be a pastor 24/7 around the clock, and we can’t please everybody in the church. The only thing that doesn’t come and go is our identity as children of God, and any other motive than inviting more people into the adoption needs to be seriously questioned.
On the other hand, there is also the false negative calling. It’s when you feel like dirt when you’re criticized or discouraged. You start doubting yourself if God had really called you into ministry. The story of Jonah and the Whale is an extreme example of this. He had an expectation of God and he abandons his mission because God’s calling didn’t meet that expectation. Many of us have this expectation that God should meet, like explosive church growth or a sudden revival, only to find out the opposite is happening. A house built on stone and a sand castle may look the same when there’s no storm, but when the storm does come, the identity at the foundation makes a huge difference.
Before I started classes at this seminary, I told Prof. Peacock that I wanted to be a pastor because a pastor is always at the center of the stage and just generally a popular person in the church. Peacock immediately realized that there was an issue even though he couldn’t put his peacock feathers on it at that time. Toward the end of last year, I realized that I had twisted God’s calling into a self-centered false calling. The reason behind it was my misplaced identity. Sometimes it takes a thorn in the flesh, which for me was my constant feeling of inferiority, to realign my identity so now I can hear God’s calling clearly. It also shows that a misplaced identity can distort God’s calling like those funhouse mirrors at a circus so that what comes out of it is a completely different message.
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Aside from God’s Word, the church really does play a part in confirming one’s calling. I’m grateful to God for our local church who discipled me and journeyed with me through the years. My mentors in our church not only served as models but also encouraged me to serve in the ministry and exercise my gifts. They also guided me as I exercised leadership in the ministry. I believe that helped me a lot in growing my love and passion to serve the church. I’m also thankful for affirmations from people who know me and have walked with me for years. I can remember a time when a co-worker in the ministry went out of her way to affirm me of a particular gifting. At first I was surprised but as I looked back I realized I have been doing the work for quite some time and I’ve just been grateful to serve in whatever capacity. That encouraged me as well to exercise that gift more to get better at it. The church, especially those people that journey closely with us are the best people to tell us and confirm God’s movement in our life. What a gift the community of God is!
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Thank you, Dr. Blackaby for sharing your journey. I like what was said about doubting in specific settings and assignments, and what helped sustained Dr. Blackaby during those seasons. Personally, I find the initial affirmation of my calling from others easier to navigate. God used three separate people in my workplace a few years back to prompt me to attend seminary and now graduation is just around the corner. It was during my program, however, that I found difficult because there were huge changes brought on by COVID-19, as well as doubts about where I am in life. However, one professor gave a “spanking” exhortation to our class one day. He said, “If God called you here to seminary, you can’t quit!” I think that phrase served as a constant reminder to keep plowing through my insecurities. Having such godly counsel from spiritual leaders or church elders is necessary because there well be those seasons of change and new assignments. Dr. Blackaby correctly pointed out that there is a potential for someone shifting their ministry assignment in order to escape the discomfort. I recently had to seek advice from my mentor and other leaders about my trajectory into a ministry field that is neither full time pastoring or missions but something in between. I had to be in check with the body of Christ, which is an integral part to my calling.
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Thank you Dr. Blackaby for being so open and sharing some of your journey. From where I am right now, I do feel edified when you shared that even you experienced some periods of doubting on your
current assignment.I appreciate the advice that if you’re doubting the calling, the answer is always “yes!”; It’s more about listening to God for whether this is a vocation or not. eg. where in Ministry you should be serving.
From what I have been hearing in my own personal journey through several congregations is to echo what Dr. Blackaby was talking about in terms of the importance of community advice and guidance
from either Elders at the church, the pastor or other brethren in the body.LikeLike
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I appreciated this interview with Dr. Blackaby. His candor was refreshing and his insight very helpful. Firstly, I must admit that I chuckled at his statement about not questioning his calling, only to return to his journals and realize some degree of struggle on practically every page. I can relate to that experience when I return to look at my old journals.
Secondly, and perhaps more saliently, his emphasis on being invited to the next posting, vs desiring to move on in response to struggle or boredom was very appreciated. While I cannot recall where I first encountered this thought, I was nonetheless reminded that when discerning a pastoral transfer, we should be asking not “where should I go?” But rather, we should be asking, “where can I be of the most use?” or another way, “where is God calling me to be most useful.” This helps us properly frame transition as obedience and invitation, similar to how Dr. Blackaby has challenged us listeners to consider invitation vs. desertion.
Finally, it was good to be reminded again, as we heard in the last podcast and our class time, that our first identity is always as children of God. As Dr. Blackaby reminded, this must always be our first understanding of who we are. It is my conviction that a pastor who loses sight of that truth, begins to lead more with their talents than the guidance of God.
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Perhaps the most standout part of the interview about calling is the necessary component of the church community in affirming and encouraging a person to pursue vocational ministry. The church provides a place for a person to be serving and be obedient from God and allows others to be able to evaluate the character and qualities of that person. Although my journey in seeking vocational ministry was further in life, my discernment process had similar echoes of serving in ministry, prayer, seeing some gifts and encouragement from others to take the step into seminary that I could be of greater service to my local church.
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I agree that all Christians are called into the mission of God’s kingdom, but some are called specifically into vocational or bivocational ministry. This calling is not meant to be discerned in isolation. God often uses the voices of the church, family members, and trusted mentors to affirm, clarify, and sometimes challenge an individual’s sense of call.
In my own experience, the affirmation of others has been an important part of discerning my calling. When those who know my character, gifts, and faith journey recognize and speak into my sense of calling, it provides both encouragement and accountability. These affirmations do not create the call, but they help confirm what God is already stirring in the heart.
The church plays a vital role in this process, as it is within the community of faith that gifts are observed, tested, and nurtured. Family members often offer a more personal perspective, helping to discern whether a calling is sustainable and life-giving. Mentors, particularly those with ministry experience, can provide wisdom, guidance, and honest insight into the realities of vocational or bivocational ministry. Together, these voices help ensure that a call to ministry is rooted not only in personal conviction, but also in communal discernment.
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sorry not sure how my name changed! It is Dylan Parkhurst I think I fixed haha. my apologies!
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I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Rob Blackaby and Dr.Piva for preparing and sharing this meaningful podcast.
When I was in elementary school, I remember watching my father serve in ministry and thinking that he looked incredibly admirable. At that time, I said that I, too, would grow up to become a great minister. God did not forget those words. Even when I later wandered away and became convinced that I would never become a pastor, choosing instead to live in the world, God still did not forget what I had spoken. Through various mission experiences, God gradually reignited a fire in my heart, leading me to pray seriously once again about ministry, and ultimately guiding me to where I am now. Interestingly, when I prayed directly about ministry, God did not seem to give me a clear answer. However, when I decided to enter seminary in order to prepare myself to go whenever God might call, He responded to me through Acts 9:15.
One of the statements Dr.Blackaby shared that deeply impressed me was the idea that everyone is called to ministry. This is something I have often said to those around me as well. We are all ministers, though that does not mean everyone must become a pastor. Rather, I believe God calls each person to be faithfully available as His instrument, ready to serve wherever He places them.
Lastly, I strongly resonated with the discussion on the crisis of modern ministry. We live in an age of information, where it is increasingly difficult to hide anything, even if we want to. In a way, I find this hopeful, because I believe this environment will ultimately reveal and raise up genuine Christians and authentic pastors who truly trust in God.LikeLike
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Listening to Dr. Blackaby and Dr. Piva talk about calling reminded me that calling is not something we settle once and never question again. Even those who are clearly called, such as Dr. Blackaby to pastoral ministry and later to serving as a school president, still ask God daily for confirmation. That honesty encouraged me because it shows that doubt is not a lack of faith but an invitation to depend more deeply on God. Calling is affirmed not only internally but through the faith community, family, encouragement, prayer, and trusted companions who walk alongside us. Their example of sharing life with others for correction and orientation highlights how discernment is never meant to be done alone.
I was especially struck by the idea that success, such as church growth or fruitful ministry, does not automatically mean we should stay in the same assignment. We must continue to pray carefully and remain open, in case God redirects us. Calling is more about obedience than achievement. For those wondering whether they are called to vocational ministry, the advice was simple yet challenging: get involved and serve. Faithfulness in the local church often clarifies direction. Rather than becoming culture warriors or chasing titles, pastors are called to be humble servants.
This interview reminded me that my true identity is not “pastor” or any position, but first a son of God who has been given an assignment to care for people. Sustaining that calling requires returning continually to a warm and personal relationship with God. Ministry flows out of intimacy with Him, not merely activity for Him.
Thank you for the interview!
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I appreciate Dr. Blackaby’s comments about not doubting his calling. While the statistics certainly suggest a significent segment of ministers question their calling I cannot. I am as sure of my role today as I was yesterday. Of course at times I may question my location – as Dr. Blackaby experienced – but this is a different experience than doubting the calling itself.
Perhaps there is a correlation to these doubts and how we imagine the pastorate to be. I think of a young man I ministered to over a period of years. He had dreams of grandeur; he would be a preacher. It is little surprise many of his heroes were men who God cultivated to be fine speakers. Yet he lacked in many necessary qualifications. It may be a mercy he never stepped into the ministry as he would have been disappointed with how much pastoring is not preaching. There is an irony that in desiring so singularly to preach, he neglected those other qualifications which would have made his preaching so much more engaging.
I also concur with Dr. Blackaby’s measurement of the CEO ideal. It is noxious to the governance of the Church. For a CEO people are resources to be traded and expended. It is a detached role that does not encourage the deeply human qualities that the pastorate requires to remain effective. Consider how pragmatism being a desirable trait in a CEO is often disasterous in a pastor. This trend may be a warning sign that we are more influenced by our current culture than we realize.
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I loved hearing about how valuable having affirmation was for Dr. Blackaby. How his father, his church, and his own experience was to that. I also enjoyed the certainty he felt to remain in the calling he had and willingness to say no to what was clearly not for him.
I was surprised about his story in how he took on being the seminary president. I was unaware of that and could sense some heart longing to go back to that role because of his love for it.
One clear challenge I felt for myself was to record those significant calling moments. Dr. Blackaby kept a journal and can recall well the words of others who spoke into his life. I have missed many chances to do that same thing. To record those spiritual moments is to take note of God’s work and to treasure it. How blessed would I and others be if we gathered in God’s treasured work more often and remembered it.
The question about less people going into seminary was one I did not suspect to be asked. I appreciate Dr. Blackaby’s quick response to point out the callings for those in the marketplace as kingdom professionals. Then his remark about being a servant to God first resonated deeply with me. Not to be a ceo first but to know there is more to being a pastor than that.
Overall there were many things I appreciated about what Dr. Blackaby shared. Most of all his honesty, his genuine sincerity and passion, and his deep reflections.
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Thank you, Dr. Blackaby, for sharing the journey of your calling to vocational ministry with us. I appreciate your reminder of the need for involvement and confirmation of the local church in determining one’s call. I also appreciated how you both pointed out the common misconception of the pastor as a CEO and the need to recalibrate our understanding of what a pastor is. I came from a denomination where this is increasingly popular and where some pastors are literally identified as the CEO of the church and not the pastor. Also, thanks for the reminder that our identity is a child of God over all else.
I’m not, and have never been, in vocational ministry, but I’ve definitely had seasons of doubt about my own calling. I have found that this usually comes at a time when there is something I need to change, or repentance is in order.
Thanks for the funny clown story. I have never heard of “clown ministry” until today.
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Dr. Blackaby has been blessed by the saints. Even though I did not have that many spiritual leaders around me who put aiding markers to pursue ministry, I did have a rededication night. For me it was the day of repentance in 2017. Although the call to ministry did not come at the moment. As time passed and with markers in my life such as marriage, children, and increasing church involvement, I soon realized that the day I surrendered to God was indeed the day of repentant heart in 2017.
As Dr. Blackaby was led to the pastoral ministry for 13 years, and then assigned to the role of president, I would like to be opened for God’s assignment. This includes listening carefully to the church members and pastors who embrace our family in love and prayer.
I would like to dedicate my time at the seminary not only to be intellectually educated in the word of God but also to be flourishing as a son of God, and be snowed under the word of God to be healed to be a Christ-like shepherd of God.
Thank you Dr. Blackaby for your history and the disclosed history of your involvement with the clowns.
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I resonate deeply with the struggle of discerning when God is shifting one’s assignment and the importance of having others to pray and discern together during such seasons. After joining the Tibet mission trips in 2018 and 2019, I was confident that I would serve there soon. However, HK social-movement and COVID disrupted the plan. After graduating from university, completing my service with Cru, and still not being able to pursue a year‑long mission, I later realised that much of my inner emptiness came from placing my identity in leadership roles or as a missionary.
Proverbs 16:9 reminds “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” I did not expect to move to the UK. This transition has reshaped my understanding of service, dependence on God, and just being a child of God.
During a financial crisis, I also questioned whether I should continue seminary, yet God consistently provided as I prayed for His will.
While I continue discerning vocational ministry, I remain actively involved in church ministries. I am considering returning to Poland, yet I seek God’s guidance, mindful not to avoid serving in the UK simply because it feels more challenging.
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Thank you Dr. Piva and Dr. Blackaby, for this meaningful conversation. I really admire how the entire conversation progressed and led to a meaningful end. I honestly can relate to many of the thoughts that are answered very thoughtfully by Dr Blackaby.
Some of the closely related thought to my life comes in the form of
Have i ever doubted about my calling?
Are you clear about the next phase or the higher calling for your life?
Ministry is never an easy thing to do; since we have to deal with the people, and most of the time, the space of doubting your call is created externally, but less internally. To deal with this vacuum, a minister definitely needs counsel by some senior clergy/pastor to gain that lost confidence that is essential for any minister.
When God gives us a higher call, He first gives us conviction and faith to believe in Him about the call the minister has received. But sometimes this greater call comes at a time when you, as a minister already doing great work,
I totally agree with the response of Dr Blackaby that you do not need prayers, for it you need faith. And I believe that is the key.
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Thank you for this thoughtful conversation. One theme that stood out to me was Dr. Blackaby’s emphasis on identity as the foundation for discerning calling. Hearing him speak about how easily calling can become distorted when it is tied to role, performance, or visibility was both clarifying and confronting. It resonated with the reminder that our first and lasting identity is as children of God, not as ministers with titles or platforms.
Personally, this challenged the way I’ve thought about calling over time. There have been seasons where I assumed clarity in calling meant certainty, confidence, and forward momentum. Yet, like Dr. Blackaby described, when I look back into my life through personal journals, I see far more wrestling, questioning, and refining than I often remember. In hindsight, those moments were not signs of a weak calling, but moments where God was reshaping my identity beneath it.
I also appreciated the emphasis on invitation rather than self-directed movement. This reframes calling as obedience and availability rather than ambition. This episode reminded me that calling is not something to achieve, but something to live out faithfully, grounded first in who we are in Christ.
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A highlight as I listened to Dr. Blackaby’s thoughts was his observations of the next generation. This “trend” seems to spread across not only North America but even throughout the world. I have been privileged to see evidence of this first-hand.
In Cuba, it is Gen-Z who is stepping up to put forth the gospel in schools and workplaces where Christianity is strongly frowned upon by their government. I have seen how in spite of the possible consequences, these young people are brave enough to be bold in order to worship and make God known wherever they go. Not only do they live proudly in their callings as Christians, they have also made decisions to be pastors, missionaries, and teachers of the word.
Here in Canada, I have had the privilege of being involved with multiple young adults and youth ministries. Close to my heart is the “Christian Students of MacEwan University” (CSMU) student group in Edmonton. Completely student initiated and student led, this group has developed leaders who choose to spend their free time leading Bible studies, worship nights, and evangelizing on campus. Through this group, hundreds if not thousands have been exposed to the gospel; students are choosing Jesus, getting baptized, finding home churches.
It was because of CSMU that I recognized my personal call to ministry. I was initially in school to become a high school english teacher (similar to Dr. Blackaby!) but as I continued serving at CSMU, spoke to mentors, friends, and family, my calling was clear: ministry as a vocation was where God wanted me.
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I appreciate Dr. Blackaby’s insight into the call of a pastor. I enjoyed listening to him describe his call to ministry, how even though he had no intention of going into ministry, God pulled on his heart and reoriented his life to where he could know, without a doubt, that God had called him to this work.
I love how he describes both the internal call and the external call and how both are necessary. When I think of my own life I can see God working through both of these means to draw me to ministry. As with Dr. Blackaby, I felt God’s call to ministry early in my life. I felt a burden and a desire to preach and sought any opportunity possible to relay the gospel and lead those around me to christlikeness. Though I was young, God’s call felt clear and no matter what occupation I did I could not shake the desire. Even with the internal call, it took the voice of godly men around me to convince me to begin the journey and do the work.
I enjoyed how Dr. Blackaby displays how that external call does not stop when an individual enters ministry. We constantly need brothers around us to encourage us and strengthen us in the midst of ministry and help us to continue on in servitude to the Lord.
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The part that most stood out to me was Dr. Blackaby’s perspective of calling into different areas of ministry. I noticed that every time he mentioned something to do with being called to ministry he called it an “assignment.” I’m sure Dr. Blackaby has served in so many different ministries and sub ministries, but calling it an assignment simplifies it to the minister without ridding the urgency of the task. It takes the eyes off of me and keeps an upwards pointing posture while serving.
Another thing to note was Dr. Blackaby’s focus on community. Although I can appreciate what he said about Gen Z being a unique generation in regards to people being called into deep ministry. I have noticed that Christianity has become almost “trendy,” leaving a lot of people wanting to get into the pulpit without knowing what is on the line. The aspect of not just the minister but the community surrounding them playing a role in calling builds on the idea of leaders walking in alignment with the body of Christ. It speaks on the need for community in any ordinary christian’s life because there are often things that we don’t see, or cannot see, from a personal perspective. That although the calling and rise of a shepherd can seem individualistic, it is just as dependent on a community led by the Spirit.
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What stood out to me was how Dr. Blackaby stressed the importance and necessity of community and external affirmation when it comes to a calling. How in Grade 11 he had his mind set on being a teacher, but God used spiritual leaders that were in his life to lead him to consider pastoral ministries. I think that it is beneficial to pair this with how God also used other people to affirm Dr. Blackaby’s calling to stay in a particular assignment while he was wrestling with whether he should stay or leave said assignment. However, what people think and say should not be the reason as to why we go into vocational ministry. There needs to be that calling that God places on our hearts that we need to recognize.
From a personal experience, I was wrestling with God when I felt that he was calling me to pursue vocational ministry. I would use every excuse I could think of to suppress this calling, excuses such as “why me of all people?”, and “I don’t have the time to go back to school.” As time went on and I continued to serve in my church, God would start bringing different people in my life who would tell me that I should attend a Bible college and become a pastor.
It wasn’t until God used a specific individual who simply asked me, “why don’t you go to Bible college?”. This question led me to bring my concerns, fears, and questions to the Lord through prayer. Which then led me to reevaluate the excuses and “reason” that I was making, as well as to seek the guidance of spiritual mentors in my life about this calling. Since then, the affirmation I have received from individuals in my life has been positively overwhelming; if it wasn’t for the people God put in my life, I would likely still be wrestling with this calling.
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Thank you for sharing your amazing insight and experience on calling!
I appreciate how Dr. Rob Blackaby emphasized the importance of listening carefully to the criticism of your God-fearing community, who love and support you through their wisdom and experience. I am encouraged by Dr. Blackaby’s story, that God spoke through his leaders to have him consider pastoral ministries. I’m reminded to not discern it alone.
I’m blessed to have spiritual mentors who encouraged me to go to Bible college. Regardless if I am meant to be in vocational ministry, attending college is the next step in my obedience with God, I’m curious to see where God is calling me in the next season.
After listening to the podcast, I feel convicted to stay routed in my foundation of being a child of God. As I serve at church in many different areas, I get caught up in viewing my identity purely as a servant. To remember that I am first a child of God brings a lot of peace and security.
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One of the most interesting and insightful things I took from this interview regarding calling was the importance of other people’s involvement in that calling. As I look back on my own journey, I also can identify times when things that were said by others reaffirmed my calling into vocational ministry. In particular, I had two different people I would consider role models encourage me to pursue schooling and vocational ministry. I was also given opportunities to preach in church quite early on. Even the position I hold as a youth pastor now was not something I was looking or even applied for. I was approached by our church board and asked if it would be something I would consider.
However, I also noticed that this was the foremost answer that Dr. Rob gave regarding how he knew he was called. I don’t imagine this is the experience for everyone who is called to vocational ministry though. I wonder how he would respond to someone who feels called into ministry even though everyone around them advises against it. Unless that is indeed the universal experience for everyone called into vocational ministry, that they all have people who recognize and encourage them in that calling.
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What stood out to me was hearing about Dr. Blackaby’s spiritual journal and noting that he prayed and wrestled with God for these new assignments. While heeding the call blessed him with thirteen years of pastoral ministry, God then opened the door for Dr. Blackaby to become our president, though he also wrestled with this new calling.
I deeply resonate with this; I was called later in life and openly admit that my biblical knowledge, as well as church involvement, was and still is minimal at best. So when I got the call, I didn’t understand why God chose me. I had just started attending a new church and started reading the Bible last year, so getting this call was more than surprising. Like Dr. Blackaby, I prayed and asked God every day if this was truly His will for me. I wrestled with this invitation; I didn’t feel qualified.
I never had the thought of entering vocational ministry, although I was told by others that I am a good listener, provide wise counsel, and make people feel comfortable and at ease. Even so, no one in my community had told me or asked me if I should attend Bible college, but I left it to God.
When I had to ask my pastor, whom I only knew for four months at that time, if he would be willing to be a reference for me, he was kind and accepted my request. I am not sure what he saw in me or what he wrote to the college on my behalf, but I did get accepted, which for me is external confirmation. I also started getting little signs from sermons that this was indeed what God wanted.
Through careful discernment and prayer, I was able to heed God’s call. Hearing that Dr. Blackaby also wrestled with God comforted me, knowing I’m not the only one who questions when He calls. I believe it’s healthy to question and discern; it allows us to approach God and His invitations carefully and with the right intentions.
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I really love the emphasis on church guidance, and how influential they are in discovering our calling. I remember the pride I had thinking that I could get by on my own and make big decisions without their help. In reality, the church body is full of people who are wiser than me, and listening to their loving corrections or advice have brought me much farther than I ever could on my own. Not only is the church a great resource for guidance, but it also such a great place to serve and discover your calling. Just like Dr. Blackaby said, we should all serve, but that does not mean we all need to preach or lead anything, we can all take small steps and learn our different areas of giftedness.
I also find it so interesting how much plans can change, like how Dr. Blackaby originally planned to be a teacher. It seems that God directed that desire from teaching students, to teaching and preaching to God’s people. It is also reassuring that not every calling is permanent, and God might even call you to your first desire, just like Dr. Blackaby returned to education.
And I really appreciated hearing about Dr. Blackaby’s struggle with doubt. Many times it seems like all I do is doubt, but then I look back and I forget I ever did; however, I believe it is so important to remember the moments of doubt and how God gets us through.
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One example of when the church guided me was choosing which college to go to. I was struggling to choose the right fit for me, and I thought that God would miraculously tell me which to go to without anyones input. It was only when I sought the advice from the church elders that I recieved clarity. One important thing that the church does is see clearly when I am too close to the situation, which made it clear that they simply wanted what was best to me.
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This podcast was enjoyable to listen to. I love that Dr. Blackaby does not see a change in calling as an insult. The word calling over time has often implied that it would be the same for our whole lives. Dr. Blackaby sees this differently. I like how he calls them assignments. This tell us that it might not be forever. That God moves us where he needs us and that can be independent of our personal feelings and convictions. That’s why the emphasis to remember we are children of God becomes so important. If we don’t know who we are, how can we know what our calling is?
Dr. Blackaby notes that there is likely a spiritual movement in Gen Z. I certainly get that feeling not only personally but in my peers at church and seminary. I have witnessed a revival of individuals taking their relationship with God seriously. It has been refreshing to see how God is working around me in ways consistent in his character. He calls people and equips them after. I am grateful to support others as they pursue their personal callings. Recently, I have found myself in an active role of mentorship and discipleship. God has placed me in a position to love and support others in this way.
I appreciate Dr. Blackaby’s story about clowns. It was funny but also a reminder that saying yes to everything can be dangerous. I hope to have experiences just like that in the future as an encouragement and a warning to others.
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