Julie,

To begin with, I think that God's basic call is to know and follow Him. This is the one thing that never changes. He is the Good Shepherd and the one who knows the way. He calls to us, “Follow Me.”

Many of us felt that God was calling us to a specific place, group of people, or kind of ministry. This helped us to focus. However, all these specific descriptions can develop or change over time as we mature and our circumstances change. God usually leads us one step at a time.

God may call someone to a specific task and for one reason or another, the individual does not respond, either out of rebellion or fear; as you described it, “gotten off track.”

Then, perhaps, the person comes back to the Lord, and the sense of call returns. However, situations may have no drastically changed that the original “call” is no longer relevant.

Is life then hopeless? I think not. I’m convinced that the Lord calls us right where we are, not where we should be. The new focus may be different, but His grace is full and sufficient.

Therefore, it is always time to return to the Lord and seek His ways. As we live in obedience and sensitivity to Him, He will guide us.

Our concern should not be so much in “what” as is “whom;” putting our hand in His, He’ll show us the way.

Jack

If you will only let God guide you, and hope in Him through all your ways, Whatever comes, He’ll stand beside you, to bear you through the evil days; Who trusts in God’s unchanging love builds on the rock that cannot move.

Only be still, and wait His leisure, in cheerful hope, with heart content To take whate’er the Father’s pleasure and all discerning love have sent; Nor doubt our inmost wants are known to Him who chose us for His own.

Sing, pray, and swerve not from His ways, but do your own part faithfully; Trust His rich promises of grace, so shall they be fulfilled in you; God hears the call of those in need, the souls that trust in Him indeed.