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The Call | Inwardly Drawn vs. Outwardly Pulled

The Call | Inwardly Drawn vs. Outwardly Pulled

Last updated on: June 27, 2025 at 11:51 am by Rev. Jared V. Ingle

The Call | Inwardly Drawn vs. Outwardly Pulled 2025-06-27T11:51:38-04:00 Rev. Jared V. Ingle

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In my view there’s a difference between an outward pull to something vs. being inwardly drawn to something. With the first there’s a sense of urgency as if the thing can’t wait for you to engage. With the second there’s a more natural exchange altogether, even a peaceful exchange.

For example, there is a lot to something like a calling, but we want to end up engaging in a calling we are inwardly drawn to. It is not coercing me, manipulating me, or pulling me to engage in ministry. People are not doing these things either to make it work. I am simply comfortable with it.

That must be the key. So let me apply it to my life and analyze my options. What am I inwardly drawn to? What am I being outwardly pulled too?

The problem for me is that I may not be able to apply this like a math equation and analyze all of my options, and discover what I am drawn to.

I may have to feel it. I may have to learn to feel it first.

In other words, the lesson is not complete once I analyze my options and come to a conclusion about my specific calling.

The lesson may very well be that I need to learn how to analyze my movements of my soul. Am I being outwardly pulled to a place of service? Am I inwardly drawn to a place of service? The lesson is not to come up with an answer. The lesson is to learn to discern my inward motivations versus the outward coercions.

Lucian Petrean | 05.07.2020 | pexels

I imagine this lesson is extremely difficult to learn for those who serve constantly and are very outwardly motivated.

“If you see something that needs to be done, then do it.”

In the church, “If you see a need that needs to be filled then fill it.”

The problem is, there’s always something that needs to be done. People who live by such mottoes often find themselves burning out. They have taken on too much. They have seen too much that needs to be done. They’ve filled too many needs that need to be filled.

After Mary’s sacrifice, Jesus reminds us, “The poor you will always have with you…” (John 12.8).

The tension is real.

There is an urge, a compulsion, to serve in the greatest capacity possible.

But Mary is inwardly drawn to the feet of Jesus. That’s where she ministers.

The question is not about serving the poor. The question is about prioritizing your calling. No one compels Mary to be at the feet of Jesus, but we find her there more than once.

I think it is safe to say Mary is inwardly drawn to the feet of Jesus. This is not only a place where she feels close to him. This is also a place where she feels a reverence for him.

First of all, she feels close to him. When we are applying this to ministry or a calling, does the activity make us feel closer to God?

Secondly, she feels reverence for him. Kneeling at the feet of a superior in that day would be an act of reverence. It is a true sign of humility, of knowing one’s place in relation to a superior.

I’m afraid we’ve lost a sense of being drawn to reverence for our Lord.

Are we comfortable kneeling at his feet? Does our ministry, our activity, and our calling perpetuate a sense of reverence?

Feeling closer to God is a feeling that affects us inwardly. It’s not an outward pull.

Feeling a sense of reverence comes from within. It cannot be demanded from without.

There’s a difference between an outward pull to something vs. being inwardly drawn to something.

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