Is there anyone more determined than an individual who thinks God is "calling" them to do something? For good or evil, numerous people seem to feel - or expressly state - that God is "calling them" to a certain course of action. Oftentimes, however, people's misguided feelings are unlikely to correspond to any real calling from Almighty God. This is especially apparent when such "callings" go against what we know of God, or if such "callings" are patently laughable or absurd. Rather, such feelings may be simply prideful manifestations of what one desires to do cloaked as if such actions were the Lord's holy will.
Jesus has told us plainly that people will even kill us, wrongly thinking they are performing a service for God:
"...the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth a service to God. And these things will they do to you; because they have not known the Father nor me." (Jn. 16:2-3)
Clearly not all perceived "callings" are real.
A recent example of a highly questionable "calling from God" comes with a suspended priest who wrongly thinks love of country is "greater" than love of the priesthood and that a political office is a "higher service" than the priesthood. He claims God is "calling him" to run for president of the Philippines. While it is not our place to rule on the authenticity of alleged "callings from God", it seems unreasonable on its face to think that God would call an ordained man to abandon the holy priesthood, for which there is "nothing higher on earth", to pursue politics. As one faithful priest has stated, "No one on this Earth can give God as much glory as a devout priest." Nevertheless, the suspended priest referenced earlier is unlikely to be deterred, because he thinks he has been "called" by God to pursue this path.
Perhaps some people claim God is "calling" them because it is hard to challenge their assertion. Maybe persons say this because they are confused or poorly formed. Maybe they are sincere and really do believe they are being called. But whatever the reason, beware of considering deceits of Satan as "callings" from God. As Holy Scripture warns:
"Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (cf. 1 Pt. 5:8)
Be careful also that you do not confuse your own will with God's will. Furthermore, rest assured that if you think God is "calling" you to sin or to go against infallible Church teachings, you are most definitely WRONG. Learning to discern God's true will takes more than just going along with a "feeling" you may have. If it is a true calling, you don't want to ignore it. However, if it is not, beware.
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