Have you ever felt like you don’t have a purpose or calling? I think we’ve all felt that at times. But I’m here to tell you that you were created with a set calling on your life! You’ve always had it, and you always will. You might not be walking with Jesus right now or riding the exciting wave of life with Him. But I promise you, it’s way more fun than feeling the pressure of figuring out that one career path, or thing that you might think you’ll find your lifes purpose in. Why limit yourself to that? Our calling isn't just in one worldly passion or profession. We were created for more than that!
We have natural inclinations of things we love to do, then there are things we’re called to do -- which are beyond what we can usually do in our own strength. God calls us higher and deeper than what we can do in our our humanity, and He has this incredible way of marrying the calling He has for us at that time with something we enjoy. Not always, but often.
Sometimes our calling from the Lord takes us into seasonal circumstances. A temporary place, job or living situation. Sometimes it can be scary, at times painful, and it almost always requires extra humility and stepping outside of complacency. Often times it’s exciting, and on the other side of it is always newfound confidence and trust in God. Even when it looks to be just for the benefit of someone else, God works it all out for our good and His glory. We never leave empty when God is leading us. That’s a promise He gives us that we can rely on!
“And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
What God says your calling is, is the antithesis of what the world says it is.
He tells us that HE knows the plans for our life, and they’re good! —
“For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
We're called to do everything in honor of God, and to give him glory in whatever we do.
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
He also tells us as Jesus followers to go and make disciples of all nations, and that He is with us!
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
But what about love?
Maybe most importantly, we’re called to love people. That’s what makes us different as Christ followers. That’s the first thing people notice. To love when it’s hardest to. To love the people who have mistreated us. To give without expectation of anything in return and honor others above ourselves. God says if we don’t have love, we have nothing!
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35-36
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:9-10
“And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians: 1-3
"Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:14
Look at the people of the Bible and their example. They traveled to “go make disciples”, sharing the truth about the freedom we have in Jesus. They didn’t stay in the same place forever. The specific call for us says to “go” calling us to action! To reach people with the gospel and love of God that they may never experience until God brings us there. Our modern day version of this can look different but the concept hasn't changed. It might be in your own town, halfway across the world, or randomly in the nail salon. The spirit of God can move anywhere!
I love when God provided the Israelites with direction in the desert by leading them with a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. While they didn't always trust Him, they found out that He had their best interest in mind at all times. Although we don’t have a physical cloud or pillar of fire leading us, we have his Holy Spirit living in us to ask what’s next and wait for an answer or a sign, to know what He calls us to next.
Where do I start?
If you feel a little lost in your calling, you might wonder how to begin stepping into it. We start by submitting all our ways to God, sitting at His feet in His word and choosing not to lean on our own understanding. Read His word, talk to Him!
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6
In Jesus, our purpose and calling is secure and clear:
1. To go, share the truth and freedom we have in Jesus, making disciples of all nations.
2. To love others well.
3. To do everything in our lives to the glory of God (honoring Him in all we do).
Three calls to action!
That looks different for all of us and can change our physical circumstances or location at times. But it's so exciting! We aren’t meant to be sedentary or be silent with our lives. He calls us to action and adventure with Him by our side — the adventure of a lifetime!
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