I have known for nearly fifty years that God leads His children. The chorus of the classic hymn I often sing to myself  goes like this: “He leadeth me, He leadeth me, by His own hand He leadeth me. His faithful follower I would be, for by His hand He leadeth me.” But, how does He do it?

What has driven me to address this subject is dissatisfaction with an article I wrote in June, “How Does God Lead Us to Our Calling?” which was published on the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics blog in August. After I read it again, it was clear that I fully supported the idea that God leads us to find our vocational calling when we seek Him diligently. However, I did not explain very well how God leads us.

To unpack how God leads His children vocationally, I will use several excerpts from my book that are relevant. I will also expand on these concepts with additional biblical, theological, and practical considerations.

God used to lead His people audibly

Any Christian who has attended church for any length of time as a child or adult can probably name several men and women in the Bible whom God spoke to, either directly, or through angelic messengers. For example, there is Adam (Gen. 3:9-19), Abram (Gen. 12:1-3), Jacob (Gen. 28:10-15), Moses (Exo. 3:4-22), Isaiah (Isa. 6:1-13), Mary (Luke 1:26-38), and Joseph (Matt. 1:20-21).

Jesus spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-16). From that initial meeting, he knew that He was called to preach to the Gentiles. Did you ever wonder how Paul knew where he needed to go to preach the gospel? In Acts 16:9-10, we read that Paul had a vision of a Macedonian man imploring him to come. Paul was sure God called him to preach there, so he obeyed and went.

However, this was a rare instance recorded here in the book of Acts. It was the exception and not the rule. It is not normative to expect a vision or voice from God telling us when and where to go.

God leads us through His Word

Perhaps the earliest example that comes to mind is when Yahweh gave the Ten Commandments to Moses (Exo. 20:1-17). They were written on tablets of stone as a visual reminder of basic truths that would lead God’s chosen people to remain in proper relation to Him and to each other. After the Israelites wandered through the desert for forty years, these commands were reemphasized with the younger generation (Deut. 5:6-21). They were instructed to teach them to their children.

Jesus Himself was led by God’s Word, especially when He really needed it. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He boldly proclaimed, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matt. 4:4). Jesus taught that those who held to His teaching “will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

However, we cannot expect to randomly flip the pages of Scripture to discover exactly what vocation we should choose. God does lead us in general through His Word using commands and principles. More often, though, He leads us specifically through the counsel of those who know us.

God leads us through others

Doug Schuurman, in Vocation, adds, “Though the New Testament does not provide a formula for discerning God’s callings, it does indicate key elements often present in this process … Though the process certainly includes the individual’s self-assessment and willingness to serve, the process of discernment has communal aspects that are essential to discovering one’s callings.”

This cannot be overemphasized. Those who know us best can offer us valuable career advice. God uses parents, coaches, teachers, youth pastors, friends, and others to point out what we are and are not good at and what kinds of fields we should consider as we begin to explore our career options.

God gives us wisdom to make decisions

Biblical wisdom is the ability to make good personal decisions about right and wrong, good and bad, better and best. God has not left us alone to figure it out ourselves. He uses the Holy Spirit, His Word, our experiences, plus our renewed hearts and minds to discern which path to take.

The wisdom God provides enables us to make good choices, even if the way is unclear. Regarding choosing the right job, Hardy recommends that if there are several “equally valid and interesting” options, we should just make a choice instead of being “paralyzed by the lack of a deciding factor.” Hardy makes a good point. His “equally valid and interesting” options would be along the lines of jobs that a Christian could do in good conscience. If the job allows you to love your neighbor and bring shalom, then there are no wrong answers. Just choose one and go for it.

As I reflect on my own major decision to join the U.S. Army in February 1986, I know that my wife and I went through this process of looking very carefully at the way God had designed me, inside and out. I was seeking God earnestly, asking Him for wisdom. I examined my talents, desires, aptitudes, experiences, concerns, and skills. When it was time to enlist, I stepped out in faith and then continued to listen to His guidance every time I came to a fork in the road.

God leaves us visible clues

I can’t help but overemphasize the biblical principle that God sovereignly works out His divine plans for us. He does have good plans and purposes for us, as He is a loving God. These plans begin long before we are conceived. He is involved in every single detail of our entire lives.

Lee Hardy, in his book, The Fabric of This World wisely advises, “We ought to take seriously the doctrine of divine providence: God himself gives us whatever legitimate abilities, concerns, and interests we in fact possess. These are his gifts, and for that very reason they can serve as indicators of his will for our lives.” In Deut. 8:17-18, we are reminded that it is the Lord God who gives us marketable skills to earn money. God designed each of us with talents that we can use to expand His creation, meet the needs of the people that He made in His image, and glorify Him.

Hardy mentioned the God-given concerns we have, which along with our abilities and interests can be clues to what we are called to do. Sherman calls this a “holy discontent,” which is a “passion that ‘wrecks’ a person—that issue that ‘keeps you up at night; something in the world you want to fix.’”  I have sensed such concerns myself. It is the reason that I wrote this book.

It may take us a while to figure out, but I think it is not too difficult a task for a child or young adult to begin to identify some of the abilities and interests that God has built into their DNA. (I invite you to read an article I wrote several years ago, regarding “Seeking a New Job or Career.”)

Closing thoughts

While God spoke to individuals audibly, through angels and in visions, He no longer does so. Now, He tells us what He wants us to do through His Word, through others, by providing wisdom, and giving us some visible clues. Even with all this, sometimes I just get a sense of God’s direction. Let me share a story about how God led one of His children in their job search.

My wife reminded me how she got the job where she worked for many years. She had been seeking the Lord, and one morning she woke up feeling specifically led to go the Presbyterian preschool to ask about a job. She spoke with the director, who was befuddled. There was indeed an opening for the next school year, but they had not yet announced the position. She said that she would have to arrange for an interview for her with the board right away. She got the job.

I encourage you to continuously seek God’s face if you are needing Him to lead you to make a major decision about finding a job, choosing a college, stepping out in a new career, finding a mate, starting a family, buying a home, or something else that is important to you personally. I challenge you to ask others what they think, mull it over in your sanctified imagination, lay out the pros and cons with the wisdom God has already provided, and look for any visible clues. I know that God leads His people in a variety of ways. Test Him and see what He does for you.

Russell E. Gehrlein holds a B.S. from Colorado State University and an M.A. from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. A retired Master Sergeant, he continues to serve the U.S. Army in a civilian capacity. He and his wife of 43 years live in Missouri and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. To read more of his work please visit Reflections on Theological Topics of Interest.

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