Ignoring God’s call to action

By Daniel Francis

A priest friend of mine once told me the story of when he answered the call to become a priest. He said that he was on a date with his then girlfriend. They were in a movie theatre watching Titanic, of all things. He felt like he was being called to the priesthood.

Somehow, while watching that movie, everything became clear. His call to action from God was undoubtedly clear, and he had to act. He told his girlfriend in that instance that they needed to break up. Shocked and confused, she asked why. His answer, as if from nowhere, “I’m called to be a priest.”

I must have heard this story more than two decades ago, yet it still resounds, but why?

I viewed Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon delivering his Holy Thursday homily on Catholic TT’s YouTube page, and I typically explore what God is trying to tell me after listening to a homily.

In this case, what stood out to me the most was when Archbishop Gordon asked the congregation, “What call from God are you ignoring?” So, I asked myself over and over, “What call from God am I ignoring?” I encourage you to ask yourself the same questions.

This article is not meant to encourage you to join the priesthood or to become a Religious sister unless you think that is what you are being called to do. I am trying to get you to reflect on the ways God calls you to action and how you might be missing it.

We might be thinking that God only calls us into action in big, dramatic ways, but what about the small calls to action? That time He called you to extend a helping hand towards a homeless person, or that time He called you to serve in church, or what about that time He called you to forgive that someone who wronged you? These are the lesser but still important calls to action that we ignore.

If I’m being honest, I pick and choose. When I hear His call to action, if it’s something that I don’t want to do, I might find every reason to ignore it, as I’m sure many of us do. We try to find any rationale that this must be a mistake. There must be someone better suited, or the problem will resolve itself without my intervention.

You reason that you are not ready for this endeavour, so you put it off. No harm, no foul, right? Well, I can’t imagine an instance where we don’t follow God’s instruction, and we come out on top.

We must be like the priest friend I mentioned at the beginning of this article. He got the call from God and immediately acted. The moment in time to act may not feel convenient or comfortable, but when God calls us into action, we must act immediately. Do not give yourself time to talk yourself out of acting. Commit immediately and let the momentum carry you into the places that God has clearly set out for you.

So, ask yourself again, “What call from God am I ignoring?” When you answer this time, be sure to take immediate action to rectify that.

Daniel Francis is a book publisher, leadership development coach, entrepreneur, and author of The Millennial Mind, The Millennial Experience, and How to Write and Self-Publish Your Book. As the founder of One Momentum Publishing, he helps Caribbean authors move from manuscript to publication, guiding them through editing, design, and global distribution on platforms like Amazon, positioning them as authorities in their fields. Through his work, Daniel equips individuals with the mindset and structure needed to turn ideas into impact.

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