Note: In a 2003 Leadership Journal article titled "God's Calling Plan," Gordon MacDonald wrote: "A call story is a history of 'whispered words and events' that capture the soul and make you aware that God is speaking. For some of us the call-story is dramatic. In one forceful moment, you gain a sense of conviction that God has spoken and directed. You are never again the same after this. For others, like myself, the call is like a continual dripping: it just beats on you until you capitulate. 'Okay. Okay!'"

Before caller ID, I answered every phone call. Until I learned how to use the Outlook preview panel, I clicked on every email message. In my younger days, I even opened every piece of postal mail. Fortunately, technology has come a long way.

Admit it, you and I screen many communications that we receive; after all, we must avoid conversations or information we don't expect or have time to engage. In fact, I'd like my communication to remain conveniently on my terms, thank you. Fortunately, ...