How Did You Know?
Since moving to Cambodia the question I get asked often is "how did you know you were supposed to go?” The response in my head was, I just did, I just knew. But as I’ve sat with the question some more I've realized that there was, of course, a process. There were various phases that God brought me through to get me to this decision. In his infinite wisdom, I guess he knew that if he started with “hey, you’re moving to Cambodia” I would resist a little. That call seemed way too big at first, that call felt impossible honestly, but he guided me through it and eventually I was able to say “I’m moving to Cambodia” without freaking out.
While all of our callings are unique it’s possible that you too will experience some variation of these phases as you process where or what God is calling you too. You may not need to leave where you are (then again, you may) but you will need to step out of your comfort zone. God may call you to a new city, a new country, and a new job, a new business idea…whatever he’s calling you to pay attention to that PULL, look for your PLACE and find your PEOPLE.
THE PULL
When I started thinking through the whole process of getting myself to Cambodia I tried to find a starting point. Where did the whole idea begin? I was reminded of a blog I wrote shortly after moving to NYC titled “The Pull” that talks about my process in that call and discovered that that beginning was very much the same. Here’s the opening paragraph...
"I remember the day I told my boss in Florida that I was praying about a move to NYC. It was actually a very difficult conversation. I couldn't explain what I was feeling in that moment. I didn't understand what God was doing, I didn't know why I couldn't stop thinking about New York or why every time someone mentioned it I would tear up immediately (I’m a cryer but that was weird even for me). I explained how I didn’t want to go, to which He replied “but you still feel the pull.” That was it. I couldn't fight this pull to NYC because it was God calling me to a new place that He had already prepared for me. He knew all the ways that my life would radically change with this one yes.”
This is usually the beginning of God doing a work in your heart. You’ll find yourself unexplainably drawn to a place, a cause, an organization that you can’t seem to escape. There’s an invisible string from your heart to this “thing”. You see it everywhere, hear it in every conversation, maybe you hurt for it with a little bit of righteous anger.
Don’t ignore those pulls, they are unique to you. It’s not that God isn’t calling lots of people to new cities, or that we all shouldn’t be righteously angry over human trafficking. But you have something special, something different that will not be what someone else can bring to that call. We can’t all be called to do everything, you have a unique combination of skills, gifts, and passion that only you can bring to that situation, don’t discount yourself, God chose you for a reason.
So maybe you know where you’re being pulled right now but you're not sure what to do next. In most cases, the pull feels too big. It’s a God-sized vision that takes some faith to step into. Start with the place.
THE PLACE
When God calls you to something you can be sure He’s gone before you and prepared a way. There's a spot only you can fill - the way you would fill it, your gifts and talents and passion are needed. Therefore, there should be a place for you in this call. You won’t need to force your way into this new place or position.
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For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
— Ephesians 2:10
I went on a mission trip, that’s where it all started. I watched a promo video at my church and immediately felt a pull, I knew I was supposed to go on that trip but could not explain why. I had planned to do an international trip that year but it was going to be in a different location. At that moment I felt a pull AND saw an opportunity to act on it. Obviously, these two things don’t always happen that close together. Sometimes you’ll feel the pull but not see an opportunity. Be patient, God is preparing you and the place he’s taking you to.
Once I took that first step and signed up for the trip God continued to reveal more and more of his call for me. In Cambodia, other opportunities opened up and the pull got stronger so I continued to ask questions, lean into that pull and pray. By the time I left the pull to Cambodia was intense and there was an opportunity on the table for me to explore. I was made aware of a specific job that needed filling and knew that I was able to fill it. I now had a place in this call.
So I returned home and thought “now what God?” I knew I was being called to Cambodia and I knew he had prepared a place for me but now it was time to share it and that made it very real. So I found my people and shared what God had been doing. I knew that if this was it God would have told them too.
THE PEOPLE
Take a step, tell someone you trust and see if there is confirmation. This should be someone that knows you well, that has been in your life long enough to understand your life experiences and that, most importantly, is able to hear from God. You will be amazed at how relieving this process is. Up to this point it may all seem a bit crazy, I know I was still saying… “am I really going to move to Cambodia?!" only half believing that I could actually pull that off but receiving confirmation from someone close to you fills you with confidence that you are on the right track, that you are hearing from God and it will serve you down the road when there are hard days in this new place. You can look back to those conversations and be reminded that God was not only working in your heart but he was working in the hearts of those that love and support you. It will help you remember that you are right where you are supposed to be, not because you made it happen but because God prepared a way.
As you step out to whatever God has called you to know that people are watching. When we see people leave a great thing or a safe thing for an unknown thing we wonder how? Why? People take notice and you can bet that when you’re walking in the call on your life it is going to point to Jesus. Living a life of faith is one of the greatest witnesses we have and all you have to do is say yes one step at a time. I have found that God always supplies the grace needed to live that life of faith right when you need it.
One last thing…JOURNAL. I know, I know…you’ve heard it 1000 times and I’ve probably said it 999 of them but this is important. When I started seriously praying through this move I went back to the last time God called me to step out in faith. I reviewed my journal from when God was calling me to NYC and found that I was walking through a very similar process. It was a similar type of call, from one place geographically to another, honestly one could argue it was from one culture to another too (looking at you New York). What this showed me was evidence of how God speaks to me. It’s a through line in my life that confirms His voice and allows me to recognize it more clearly every time we walk through this together. I realized that I had asked the same questions the first time and he had responded the same way. His voice was consistent. So write it all down
Ok, one more last thing...
Don’t let this process slow down your obedience. When Jesus called his disciples, Peter and Andrew the Bible says “immediately they dropped their nets and followed him”. Immediately. This process is wise and helpful but it doesn’t need to be drawn out to the point that your “yes, God" becomes more of a "maybe God, I still have some processing to do." Continue taking one step of faith at a time, don’t get stuck trying to figure everything out, God has already done that.
I’d love to know how you knew when it was time to say yes to that call God laid on your heart.
