Having a calling: do we have a calling, and if so, how would we know? I often think about this and talk with others about it because I spent most of my life chasing the wrong dream. I felt that God’s natural and spiritual gifts were the same or at least variations of the same. My passion for my vocation was the same as my passion for Christ. I believed He made me chase what I chased for a God-given reason. Regi Cambell, in his Book “Radical Wisdom” made this statement:
“A secular endeavor approached from a spiritual perspective is spiritual.
A spiritual endeavor, approached from a secular perspective, is secular.”
Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
Over half a century of getting knocked down to my knees, then getting back up only to be knocked down again, have taught me that I am not good at creating my calling. God created it in me; I needed to stop fighting it and grow with it.
John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
Calling is that umbrella that sits over all things in your universe. It not only includes the tools that God has given you: skills, passion, relationships, vocation, experience, and knowledge, but also spiritual gifts. This transformation of worldly traits into spiritual realms is what powers you to a higher purpose and meaning.
THE LIST
Here is a simple list of “thoughts” that might help inspire you to think more deeply about your calling.
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- Give Freely: The accurate measure of your life lies in what you give away—not just money, but your time, attention, and compassion.
- Beyond Accumulation: What you accumulate in life loses its value once you’re gone. Yet, it often defines the worth of our lives.
- Selfless Living: Those who dedicate the latter part of their lives to selfless service rarely wish to trade it for hobbies like fishing, traveling, or golfing.
- Act Now: It’s wise to engage in meaningful actions while you have the time, health, energy, and resources. We never know how long these will last.
- Time Awareness: Many of us realize that time is running out, and it’s the one thing we cannot save for a rainy day.
- Meaning Over Measure: A calling is more about its intrinsic meaning than measurable outcomes. Focus on your intent, not just the impact.
- Fear of Significance: Our fear of making a significant impact can prevent us from making the most meaningful contributions.
- Emotional Burden: A calling is driven by your emotional burdens, soft skills, and feelings rather than your background or hard skills.
- Embrace Your Burdens: Reflect on what keeps you up at night. Don’t suppress these feelings—let them guide you and allow God to work through them.
- Learn by Helping: A calling often starts by assisting others. Learn from them, and let their passion ignite yours.
- Focus on People: Your calling is about the people God places in your path, not necessarily the specific tasks or destinations.
- Disobedience Indicator: You can recognize your calling if not pursuing it feels like disobedience.
- Success Redefined: Measure success by your actions, not by what you achieve. Ask yourself, “Did I do what was asked of me?”
- Outcome Independence: Your responsibility is to fulfill what God asked you to do, regardless of the outcome.
2 Thessalonians 2:14, “He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
THE CHALLENGE
The challenge for most overachievers is that they want to be the next great tsunami. They want to be that transformable wave that changes destinies and lifts lives. They want what they do to ripple through eternity like rolling thunder. Me too. But that is not the path before most of us. The path is a path of obedience to small things that will someday lead to great things, mostly after we have left his spinning globe.
Do not fail to do what you can while waiting to do something significant. What is significant to God is a life lived as a reflection of His love and care for all humankind. Calling isn’t a mountain to climb but a step out the front door. It is a decision to focus on people, not tasks or destinations. It uses the personality and traits God created in you at inception to serve the people God puts before you.
2 Peter 1:10-11, “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”