“Then Gideon said to God, ‘In order to see whether you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said, I am going to lay fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said.’ And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water.” Judges 6:36-38

 How often have we asked God for a sign to lead us in the right direction or help us feel assured in the calling we are given? We are quick to second guess ourselves because the call is either too good to be true, or too overwhelming to endure. We feel the call is meant for someone else more fitted to carry it through, or maybe we pictured something bigger for our lives but are called to something “minimal” in the world’s eyes.

One way or another, the call is there and will not leave until we respond. This pattern of call and response is printed throughout the pages in Scripture, and this exchange doesn’t always come at our own easiest conveniences. It reveals when we least expect it. So unexpected, it leads people like Gideon telling God to leave dew on fleece just to make sure he really heard what he heard. It leads men like Moses using his speech impediment as a reason he couldn’t lead God’s people out of Egypt. It causes women like Sarah, Abraham’s wife, to laugh after hearing she would bear a child after being barren for many years.

God’s faithfulness remained true by Gideon having victory over the Midianites, through Moses’ staff dividing a sea to lead the Israelites out of slavery, and through Sarah giving birth to a son, eventually creating many generations for a Savior to be born. The calls we face in life may or may not always be revealed through a fiery bush or wet fleece.

These calls might come in the form of signs like dreams, songs, numbers, a conversation, or maybe even a particular animal. We can ignore and avoid the call only for so long until we meet moments that make us realize we need to embrace it. It’s okay to feel scared, but don’t let fear polarize you from making that first step to show up.

Recently, I have noticed God is trying to get my attention and speak to me through unexpected dreams and conversations with people. I am tempted to block it out through reasoning or self-sabotage, but the growing pains are getting heavier and this call is begging to come out. A spiritual practice that has helped me receive and process these constant signs is mindful meditation. Meditation helps slow down my body and pauses the distracting thoughts enough to help receive clarity on what these signs are really pointing to. Meditation helps me to be in the present moment and be more accepting of the Holy Spirit’s message.

I like to imagine that some callings are revealed differently among everyone. Sometimes, a person receives a full calling in one moment. They know from the first interaction what they need to do and where to go--it’s so clear to them. Other people receive callings like small, textured strokes that eventually show the big picture of understanding over time. Like chapters in a novel, each has their own details we must know first before we reach the end of the story. The good news is, the Author is with us to the very end. It might take a few chances, but it will come to promise. If you find yourself in a storm of questions about calling, signs, or even doubts about meditation-- please email me or reach out to anyone at Retreat House.

We would be happy to listen and guide answers.

This article was written by Trained Spiritual Director and Writer Lauren Davis. She would love to hear from you.