Find Out What Your Calling Is and Stick to It
Do you ever feel like you are pulled in a million directions? You know what you need to do, but you can’t get it done for all of the other things. Of course there will always be things we have to do in life that aren’t necessarily what we want to do, but for the most part, you need to find out what your calling is and stick to it.
When our kids were growing up, Jay always told them to find what they wanted to do – something they enjoyed and then pursue that as their career. I tell my high school students the very same thing. When you think about it, you are going to spend many years “on the job,” so you might as well enjoy what you do.
What is Your Calling or Mission
Your calling or mission is more than just your career path. I believe the Lord puts desires, skills, and talents in us to fulfill our calling – God’s plan for our lives. When He calls us to do something, He equips us to do it. We see this in these Old Testament verses when we read about Bezalel building the tabernacle.
“I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.” Exodus 31:3
So ask yourself:
- What things do you enjoy doing?
- Are there certain areas where you thrive?
- What talents do you feel like you have?
- Where have you been the most successful – What were you doing?
- Out of all of these things, which ones align best with your values?
- Even if you never got paid for it and had to work long hours, what kind of work could you see yourself doing for the rest of your life?
- Who do you admire and look up to professionally?
- Have you thought about what spiritual gifts the Lord has given you?
- Is there a problem in the world that really bothers you, that you would like to fix?
- Are there certain groups of people, animals, or other things you enjoy working with?
- What hobbies or past times do you enjoy?
- Do family members or friends compliment you in certain areas?
Of course we all need to seek the Lord to help determine what our true calling is, but answering these questions is a good starting point.
The Disciples on Mission
The Book of Acts tells all about the development and growth of the Early Church. The disciples had been anointed with a Holy calling from the Lord. They had heard Jesus Christ Himself give them the Great Commission, and they became the Body of Christ to fulfill this mission. They experienced unity of the Spirit and many good things and experiences. People were hearing the Good News and being converted.
Acts Chapter 6 – Stick to Your Calling
As you probably know, when things are going well for the cause of Christ, attacks of the enemy will be around the corner. This was no different for the disciples. As people were being converted and the New Testament Church grew, the demands became greater. Some groups of people made complaints that their widows were being overlooked and not receiving help like the others.
This was the disciples response:
“The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, ‘It would not be right for us to give up preaching the Word of God to wait on tables.'” Acts 6:2
A Solution
The disciples had a choice to make. They could be overwhelmed and only get half of their true calling completed while they were taking care of the widows and trying to preach the Gospel, or they could find someone else to take on the widows’ ministry. Who knows, the people they chose for this particular work may have had their own unique calling to take care of widows?
“Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.” Acts 6:3
Feeding the widows was a good work, but the disciples knew their unique calling was to preach the Gospel. They listened to God’s call and stayed focused on their main priority.
“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.” Acts 6:4
The Results of Knowing Your Calling and Sticking to It
There is nothing wrong with helping out in other areas and even doing ministry work that might be somewhat outside of your calling area. However, we can sometimes get so busy doing all of the things people ask us to do that we miss our life purpose. There has to be a balance in our life activities so that we fulfill the call of God.
That is exactly what the disciples and the New Testament Church did, and look at the results: Many received eternal life.
“So the Word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:7
Life Applications – Your Calling or Mission
Here are a few take-aways from these Bible verses:
- With growth comes issues (growing pains). Expect them and handle them immediately so a bitter root does not grow.
- Know what your mission/calling is and stick to it.
- Don’t get sidetracked by all the other tasks that need to be done, even though they may be good things.
- Get help for the other things if possible.
- Chose the people you get to help you carefully. Make it a matter of prayer and seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
- We aren’t as successful if we try to handle all of the tasks ourselves.
Just like a football team, each team member has a role to play on the field. When they “stay in their lane,” and do what the coach has called them to do, they have a better chance of being successful in the game.
What Now?
In such a busy world, let’s try to focus on what is important and stay in tune to our own purpose and calling. If we can seek God’s calling for our own life and set our priorities in that direction, we will be successful! Take the next step – if you are not sure what the Lord is calling you to do, seek wisdom in God’s Word, be consistent in prayer, ask yourself the questions above, and take action.
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Related Posts
How to Use Your God Given Talents and Skills
Life Applications from the Bible: Vol. 47
7 Habits to Keep Your Calling in Focus
Until next week…
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“When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.” Psalms 94:19
I definitely needed to read this today! It’s so easy to get distracted by the things you feel like you “should” be doing as opposed to the things you feel called to do. I can’t tell you how many times I thought I was on the right track only to get distracted by shiny things that were good but were definitely not His best for me. Gah-I love when you tell me exactly what I need to hear in a gentle way. It puts me back on track every time! Hugs, CoCo
Coco, we must be on the same page! I struggle with this all of the time! I am working at it though.