When I look at David’s story, I see a life full of ups and downs.  A giant slayer turns into a javelin dodger.  A killer of 200 Philistines turns to a groveling mad man.  Yet through the ups and downs there is an interesting pattern in David’s early life.  David was summoned from herding sheep by Samuel to be anointed future king.  Apparently David goes back to shepherding after that. The next time we hear about him, he is again “with the sheep.” This time he is called to soothe Saul’s spirit through his music.  Despite these two incredible experiences, David kept on shepherding his life away.  Then for the third time the Bible says he “left the sheep.” This time he is off to bring parched corn and other goodies to his brothers.  The man has the anointing of a king and is still herding sheep.  David was fulfilling his Right Now Calling.

Multiple times throughout my childhood people prophesied that God would use me at a “young and tender age.”  I do believe that, in some ways, these have been fulfilled.    But over the years I have had many wrong concepts about how, when, and why. Today I have fewer answers than ever.  But this excites me, because I am no longer limiting God to my finite plans.  As I continued to grow physically and spiritually, I wondered why it seemed that God wasn’t doing anything special with my life.  Doubts and fears raged like a western wildfire.  I now realize that God was maturing me spiritually; He was teaching and strengthening me in ways vital to my existence.  God is teaching me to chase lions so that one day I will laugh at giants.  It was, and still is, a process.  But not everything is merely preparation for a future event.  I have a Right Now Calling.

My Right Now Calling is simply this: To seek His face.  It is a slight, yet radical attitude change.  God has confirmed this to me over and over again.  No matter what happens I know who I am and what I am supposed to be doing: seeking His face.  It’s a Right Now Calling.  David said, “This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face” (Ps 24:6).  Late one Saturday night, lying in my bed, God used that scripture to reconfirm my Right Now Calling:  To be the generation that seeks Him.  Not “please let us be that generation” or “maybe some day we will rise to that status.”  Rather, “This is.”  It’s a radical change of attitude.  Interestingly, the next morning, the scripture reader read that Psalm.

I believe that you, too, have a Right Now Calling.  It may be a universal calling, like praying or witnessing.  But this is the bottom line:  it’s not something you will do tomorrow, but something you can do before you go to sleep tonight.  I believe everyone has a calling to fulfill today.  It’s your Right Now Calling.

Jesus is exactly like our GPS. But instead of us being in control, our Lord and Savior is. David wrote in Psalms 27:12 “Teach me your way, oh Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.” Just like David asked Jesus to guide his path in every area of life, we need to make the same request. It doesn’t matter if that way is finances, relationships, a career, or teaching a Sunday school lesson. Jesus wants us to rely completely on Him, because He has every direction mapped out already. Unlike a GPS or map, Jesus has every road, every intersection, and every new road in your life laid out.

“Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”  – Psalm 77:19-20

We can’t always see where were going. I know from experience that you can’t always find your way on your own! This is one of the reasons Jesus put pastors, elders, etc. in our lives so that we could gain their wisdom. Just like us, they had to submit to God’s GPS. As a result, they probably know more about the situation we’re facing than we do. As much as we know, there is always someone else more knowledgeable. And of course, Jesus knows all!

How many times do we confuse the right way with our own decisions and desires? This is why this is why Psalms 37:4 says “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” With God’s GPS we can’t let our own desires and wants get in the way. We need to set them aside and let God guide us all the way. In the end, like it says in that verse, “He will give you the desires of your heart.” I know I want that and I’m sure you do too! Consider yourself challenged to let go of your own wants, needs, and desires and let God take complete control. Let Jesus be your GPS. In the end, I guarantee it, you’ll be much better off. Do it! Don’t talk or contemplate it, because then it won’t end up happening. Go and do it!

Maybe you already have some experience in letting God direct your life. What methods does He use to do that? How do you make sure that you aren’t taking control again? Encourage someone in the comments section by sharing an example of God’s dependability — better than any map or human technology!