How to Discern God's Direction for a New Midlife Calling

As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
(Joshua 1:5 NIV)

Have you ever found yourself in a season where life feels a little too predictable?

The routines feel familiar, and the days start to blend together. Still, you feel as if something is shifting—not in a dramatic or urgent way, but just enough to make you wonder if God might be trying to get your attention.

God used a burning bush to get Moses’ attention – someone not at the beginning of his story—but well into it!

Moses Wasn’t Looking for Something New

In Exodus 3, we find Moses living a quiet life in the wilderness, tending sheep. It’s been 40 years since he made a grave mistake and fled Egypt, despite being the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter.

If anyone might have thought his “best years” were behind him, it was Moses. Yet that was precisely when God called him into something new.

Moses was going about his usual routine of tending sheep when he spotted something strange—a bush on fire that wasn’t being consumed. It was there that he encountered God.

And when God chose Moses, scholars estimate that he was around 80 years old.

Today, God often meets us right in the midst of our everyday lives—not when everything is exciting or when we’re perfectly prepared, but when we’re simply staying faithful with what’s right in front of us.

Hesitation to Answer the Call

When God gave Moses a new calling, his response to God’s calling wasn’t confidence—it was hesitation:

“Who am I that I should go?” (Exodus 3:11 NIV)
“What if they don’t believe me?” (Exodus 4:1 NIV)
“I am slow of speech…” (Exodus 4:10 NIV)

In today’s words, that might sound like:

I’m not qualified for this.
I’ve missed my chance.
Someone else would do this better than me.

Moses didn’t feel prepared. He felt unsure of himself. And truthfully, that’s often how we feel when we’re faced with something new.

When Moses hesitated, God didn’t reassure him by pointing out his strengths or telling him he was capable. Instead, God simply said, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12 NIV).

That’s it.

The calling was never about Moses’ ability; it was all about God’s presence.
The same goes for us.

How to Discern If God Is Leading You

We tend to think of “trying something new” as something that is optional. But sometimes, the “new thing” in front of you is an invitation.

The question is: How can you tell if what you’re feeling is truly from God?

If you want to determine if something is from God, here are a few questions to prayerfully consider:

Does it align with Scripture?
God will never lead you in a direction that contradicts His Word.
Does it require faith, not just comfort?
God’s invitations often stretch us.
Does it keep coming back?
A God-given nudge tends to persist, not disappear overnight.
Does it draw you closer to Him?
His leading always deepens your relationship with Him.

If you’re feeling uncertain, the Bible reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God…” (James 1:5 NIV). Pray for God’s wisdom. You don’t have to work it out on your own.

Wisdom reminds us that not every longing for something new comes from God. It could be that we are feeling restless, bored, or eager for a change. And while those feelings are valid, they don’t always lead us in the right direction.

That’s why discernment matters so much. God’s guidance is always steady, never hurried or chaotic.

God Is Not Finished with You

Moses’ story reminds us of an important truth in midlife: God’s timeline is nothing like ours. He doesn’t view you as a missed chance or someone whose time has run out.

Instead, He says: “I will be with you.”

Moses didn’t go looking for something new, but when God called him, his ordinary life became the starting point of something extraordinary.

So, if God is stirring something in your heart, don’t ignore it. Pray honestly and take one step. You don’t have to figure everything out today.

You may see that your “something new” is really just saying yes to where God is already leading.

Journaling Prompts

Have you sensed God nudging you toward something new in this season? What has that felt like?
Which of Moses’ hesitations do you relate to most—and why?
Is there one small step of obedience you can take this week?

Disclosure: The featured image was created by AI to illustrate the topic of this post.