I’ve done a lot of recruitment in my time. Competence was usually the most important thing we looked for (if not the only thing). After all we don’t want to hire incompetent staff. But I now wonder if we placed too much emphasis on competence alone. Perhaps we should also recruit based on calling.
The prophet Nathan initially thought that David was the best choice to build God’s temple (2 Sam. 7). After all, who could be more competent? But God made it clear to both Nathan and to David that it was not his calling. David elaborated on this as he spoke to Solomon:
David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God. But this word of the LORD came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for My Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight. (1 Chronicles 22:7-8)
But how in practice would we go about discerning genuine calling? How would we see beyond simplistic words? I’m not sure, but what I do believe is that we have to try to trust that God will speak as He did to both Nathan and David.
Pause and Reflect:
The author urges you to intentionally trust God to give insight. How will you try to discern calling in your next recruitment process?
What do you look for when recruiting new staff? Please leave your thoughts in the comments.
