I’ve devoted much of my time, attention and passion to helping others uncover their calling. I firmly believe that life is too short to be anyone other than who God created you to be. I also believe that the process of clarifying your calling can feel confusing and overwhelming.
Let’s silence the anxiety and confusion of figuring out your calling. Instead of frantically searching for answers and explanations, let’s explore the first step you’ll need to take in order to get clear about your calling.
Step One
Realize it’s not about you. It’s about Jesus and influencing others for Him. That’s the first step.
If you go off looking for your calling in the world, through a career or by means of a specific role you’ll wind up disappointed and confused. In order to find your calling, first, you must find Jesus.
Once you’ve found Him study His Word! Getting in relationship with God is unequivocally the first step to finding your calling, but don’t fall prey to the belief that you have to sit and wait until you hear the audible voice of God to be called to great kingdom work. In fact, there’s a pretty widely agreed upon perspective of calling in the church that doesn’t necessarily require a lot of waiting and wondering.
As followers of Christ we have a corporate calling. In other words, many believers agree that the goal and missions for followers of Jesus is to obey the following command, “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19, NIV).
While I wholeheartedly believe this concept of a corporate calling, I also believe that this is where things can get confusing. Either we all have one calling or we all have separate callings, right? WRONG. Here’s how it all boils down: Yes, we are all called to go out and make disciples, BUT we aren’t all called and equipped to carry out that calling in the same way.
Recognizing How Callings Can Be Different
I firmly believe that getting tight with Jesus ALWAYS leads us to our calling. But I also believe that we don’t play a passive or accidental role in all of this. You and I were made uniquely and intentionally. Your life experience, gifts, talents, and passions are all specific components of your calling.
Use your gifts & talents
Part of what makes your calling unique is your gifts.
Start exploring your unique calling by studying up on gifts. Read Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 7, and Romans 12 for a Biblical reference on gifts. I also HIGHLY recommend you take a gifts assessment and meet with a trusted friend or mentor to further investigate what your gifts and calling might be.
Above all, give your gifts selflessly, not for your own recognition and esteem but for lives turned to Christ.
P.S. This is one of my favorite gifts assessments.
Discover your passions
The things you are passionate about aren’t a fluke or coincidence. Like your spiritual gifts, passions are another unique component of your calling. The root of your passions are almost always linked to something that God feels passionate about too.
Take some time to pause here and consider what you are passionate about. If you aren’t coming up with anything ask a trusted friend or mentor what passions they see in you. You can also start trying out different jobs or serve opportunities to get a sense of what you might be passionate about.
Don’t ignore your passions. They are often an important component of your calling.
Do it Scared
I won’t sugarcoat the level of difficulty you might experience when you step into your calling. The enemy hates it when we begin to claim territory that God has called us to. As difficult as it may be to step out in faith and do what you’ve been called to do, you are totally capable!
There’s a reason be strong and courageous is one of the most repeated verses in scripture. Like many before you being scared and doing it anyway has been part of obeying God’s call.
Experiencing opposition
When you experience opposition in your calling there are a few things you can do.
First, up your prayer game. Be sure to ask God for protections and strength to keep going.
Second, surround yourself with life giving community. You need people on your side that can pray for you, encourage you, and in fill in the gaps.
Finally, prioritize rest. The enemy would love nothing more than to see you burned out by the Lord’s work. Taking time to rest is Biblical. God isn’t calling you to sacrifice your health and sanity. He is calling you to make an impact for His kingdom and you’ll do that best when you’re rested.
Next Steps
Remember, you are totally qualified to step into God’s call on your life. The Lord will provide everything you need to do the work set out before you. Below are a few next steps to keep in mind as you embark on the exciting journey of answering your calling!
- Get close to your creator – Start by assessing your relationship with God. If He is distant (and believe me we all go through seasons where God feels far away) you’ll have a hard time hearing and discerning your unique calling. Allow close connection with your creator to reveal clues about your unique calling.
- Connect with trusted friends, mentors, or a coach – Enlisting the help of other God fearing friends and mentors can be a great way to clarify your calling AND activate your calling! Older, wiser, and close friends have a perspective that will enrich your connection with God. These people may be able to see and hear things that you can’t.
- Dig into resources -Read more on the blog about what a calling is and how to discern yours. You might also consider booking a free discovery call with me, Bailey Stone, to see if coaching is right for you in this season. I help my clients go from self-conscious and confused to confident and clear in their God-given calling.
- Do it scared – Don’t overthink it. Take the first step and trust that God is big enough to redirect your steps if you drift off course.
Read more about clarifying your calling here: https://baileystoecoaching.com/clarify-calling/
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