WHAT'S MY CALLING?
Have you ever asked God, “Lord, what’s my calling?” Or, “God, would you use me to do something great”. I know I’ve uttered those words more times than I can count and don’t get me wrong, they’re great requests and good questions, they just make for a pretty bad focal point when it comes to our faith.
yes, we are called to be used by God, but more importantly we’re called to god himself.
Here are four simple keys that I’ve learnt along the way in my journey of faith. I hope they encourage you.
YOU ARE CALLED TO BE KNOWN
god’s highest priority will always be relationship, over activity.
Matthew 7:21-23 demonstrates that when it says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!”
How crazy?! That we can end up doing a lot for god, with no intimacy attached.
God isn’t just calling us to do things for Him, but to do things with Him! When Jesus appointed his disciples, the first thing he did was invite them into an every day genuine relationship with him. He sat with them, ate with them, walked the journey out with them for 3 incredible years of ministry.
So, instead of asking, “God what’s my calling.” Ask, “How can I know you more lord? How can you know me better today? How can I walk with you closely?”
God will use you, but He most certainly wants to know you first.
2. YOU ARE CALLED to BE THE LIVING WORD
John 1 :14 makes this clear, “The word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” The Message version phrases it like this, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.”
I love that! I remember one day hearing the Holy Spirit whisper this to me, “That’s not just what I did through Jesus, but it’s the mandate I have for you”.
Genesis 1:26 reminds us that we are called to be image bearers of Christ. And if Christ was and is the Word made flesh, then we are all called to not just read his Word, but to let those words translate into action.
1 John 3:18 encourages us to live out our faith in a tangible way. “Beloved children, our love can’t be an abstract theory we only talk about, but a way of life demonstrated through our loving deeds.”
Jesus lived his life to serve others, to love people, to seek God, to worship wholeheartedly. We are called to do that same.
3. YOU ARE CALLED TO FULFIL your purpose right now
It’s so easy to view your calling as some kind of far-off distant destiny, when in reality you can fulfil your purpose right now, exactly where you are.
Because purpose resides where Jesus reigns.
Maybe you’re a student or a single mum? Maybe you’re working a 9-5 or running a business on the side? The truth is, whatever you’re doing, when done unto God it has meaning and significance.
Wherever you are, you have the opportunity to love God and love people. That’s the gospel, and that’s the highest calling any single one of us will ever fulfil.
I love that way Romans 12:2 says it, “So, here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
4. YOU ARE CALLED TO DO SOMETHING UNIQUE TO YOU
Did you know that you’re called to be the solution to the problems you see. The answer to people’s prayer around you. The creative, anointed and graced change agent in your world.
The gifts and talents God has given you aren’t accidentally, but intentional.
Lean into them. Sharpen them. Steward them. Ask God to anoint you and press into Him to hear His voice tell you which doors to walk through and which ones to avoid.
SO, WHAT’S YOUR CALLING? TO KNOW HIM AND MAKE HIM KNOWN!
sHARON lEfa
Sharon is a vivacious 21 year-old from Botswana. She is currently completing a double major in neuroscience and psychology at the University of Western Australia. She is passionate about mental health and empowering people to make their mind a safe place. She loves working with children and believes if they’re given the tools at a young age, they’ll be better equipped to handle life’s challenges as adults.
