About ten minutes after I surrendered my life to Jesus, someone was telling me it was time for me to “go into the world” and serve. I had just felt that freedom of life versus death, experienced a release of guilt and shame, and was overwhelmed with gratitude that there was an advocate and a path to redemption for me. And I said without reservation, “Lord, I will spend the rest of my life thanking you for rescuing me. Whatever that looks like, wherever it takes me, I’ll do it.”

I heard things like “go into the world,” “you’re called to serve,” “be salt and light,” “lead the way.” And every one of these phrases was and continues to be powerful. But every one of these phrases also caused me to wonder, How?

Maybe you have your own wonderings. Maybe it sounds good to “go,” but what does that mean?

Initially my questions stemmed from logistical constraints: “I’m 16. What are my options?”

Then, as my life changed, so did my questions: “I’m a new minister; is this what it looks like? Am I getting it right?”

These days, the questions are more existential: “I’m going into the world in the most literal sense—traveling the globe, reaching out, leaning in, listening, showing up—but is it translating? Is this what God wants me to do? Does my life really make a difference in any one else’s life?”

Every person who knows the love of God should be interested in loving others—in an active sense. We should lovingly and thoughtfully consider the welfare of others because it’s been explained that loving God and loving others are synonymous and intricately connected. We should also be committed to the causes of God in our world—for God’s already but not yet kingdom to come closer.

But how do we know where to work out this calling? What are the specifics?

I appreciate learning about Samuel in the Old Testament, who was doing his thing, ministering before the Lord (1 Samuel 2:11–26). There’s a bit about his journey to understanding what it means to serve the Lord faithfully with all of his heart that I find helpful. He was instructed specifically to answer God verbally by saying, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (3:9).

What if a good first step for all of us is simply to ask God to speak? And then make it our habit to listen?

Speak Lord. You are first. I serve you with an open mind and heart. Ears open. Unclenching. Clinging only to you.

What if discovering your call and work in the world was directly connected to the way you breathe and pray?

Exhale . . . Speak, Lord.

Inhale . . . I’m listening.

Someone once helped me think about how to get involved more in the causes of God in the world by asking me an incredible question: What little deaths will you need to experience when you decide to commit to these causes?

Going beyond ourselves requires little deaths every day. Choosing someone’s need, committing to a cause God cares about, investing in something that needs support and advocacy—all these require a selflessness that comes from God when he speaks to us. 

Wow. I don’t think that’s a question I can even answer without asking God to speak. Because my human nature stops at what feels comfortable and quits when it no longer benefits me. This is the question that we desperately need God’s voice before we can respond.

Going beyond ourselves requires little deaths every day. Choosing someone’s need, committing to a cause God cares about, investing in something that needs support and advocacy—all these require a selflessness that comes from God when he speaks to us. So we must ask God to speak if we expect to hear anything when we listen. And we must listen often to know what activity God hopes we’d participate in during the next hour, week, or even lifetime.

I hear from high school and college students who have been encouraged to focus on choosing a career that they are still missing something. They have taken tests and have lined up classes to set them up for success in a given field. They participate in strength assessments and discover their personality profiles. Often they have their own guidance and career counselors and people helping them find the best classes for their hoped-for careers. And these are all good and important things. But people made in the image of God are always going desire more.

God knew that a freed people would desire to free people. Loved people desire to love people. Cared-for people desire to care for others.

God knew that a freed people would desire to free people. Loved people desire to love people. Cared-for people desire to care for others.

Are you looking for something more meaningful? Do you feel like your life benefits you and no one else? Maybe it’s time to ask God to speak. And then lie down to listen. God will speak to you and show you what it means to go into the world.

May we all experience a million little deaths as the love of God is resurrected in our everyday choices to love and to serve others.