Release Date: November 12th, 2025Divine Callings
- by Renate Dau Klaassen
"24 Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: “Go, shut yourself inside your house. 25 And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes; you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people. 26 I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious people. 27 But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people."
It’s not really typical of divine callings in Scripture or in life to be instructed to lock yourself up at home and wait for God’s voice. But that is the instruction Ezekiel received for his launch into the career of prophet to the Israelites in exile. Quiet inaction is not a practice with which most of us, raised in a historically high work-ethic, are comfortable; let alone spiritual confinement. We think of spiritual disciplines as things we do, not an act of just sitting and waiting.
Looking back, I wonder if I could have made things happen sooner. But I had discerned that it was God who needed to do the making, both in my own heart and in the circumstances.
Some years ago, I found myself in the situation of being pulled away from my sense of calling as a pastor, needing to wait for God’s direction. I retreated into the world of floral design, and waited; feeling as though God wanted me to return to congregational ministry, but needing Him to create the path to get me there. I loved creating beautiful displays of flowers, but as I worked, I lifted many a prayer like the Psalmist did: “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? (Ps. 13:1).
The Scripture passage doesn’t tell us how long Ezekiel had to wait. My wait ended up being 6 years. I learned a lot about patience and trust in God’s timing, which is always perfect, even if we don’t always comprehend it. Eventually, others were inspired with God-nudges, and invited me into a pastoral role that restored me as a spiritual leader in the community. I am grateful for their encouragement and support. Looking back, I wonder if I could have made things happen sooner. But I had discerned that it was God who needed to do the making, both in my own heart and in the circumstances.
Are you waiting for something to happen in your life? It’s not always clear whether we should take initiative on a wing and a prayer, or stop, withdraw, and wait. If you are in a place of woundedness, as I was, perhaps it’s best to take time to heal, and wait for God to fill you with His power, instead of plowing ahead. But when that call breaks the silence, summoning us to action, a long wait can leave us paralyzed with insecurity, even fear. It was Ezekiel’s experience that, within the heart of God, we can find both a home to retreat into, and wings to carry us to a place of renewed calling and purpose. The main thing is that we watch and listen.
- Renate Dau Klaassen is a retired MCEC pastor