One of the questions I get asked about most often is what a calling is. Some inquirers nonchalantly chuckle when I tell them about the work I do and ask what a calling even is. Others ask the golden question intently anticipating the answer.
Unfortunately, I can’t answer that question quickly. Figuring out God’s call on your life requires stillness, an analysis of thoughts and feelings, and acute attention to what others are speaking into your life. You can imagine that helping someone sift through these fine details in a short conversation or text is nearly impossible.
Impossible as it may be to answer that question quickly, I have spent enough time responding to this question to offer you some insight. Below, I have broken down a few points to consider in the quest to answering what is my calling? Dig into each point below and you, my friend, are bound to hear your calling.
Find Stillness
I’ve heard it said that the brain processes upwards of 50,000 thoughts a day. That’s a whole lot of brain activity! Among those thoughts, there are likely dreams and fantasies about your calling. Unfortunately, most of us don’t take the time to thoroughly consider these fleeting thoughts and work through them.
That is why it is imperative to find stillness. We must find time to get quiet before God and discern which of those 50,000+ thoughts are from Him. We must ask God, what are you speaking about my calling?
It can be really difficult to hear God’s call and will in our life without these moments of stillness. And when I say stillness I don’t mean a dimly lit room full of candles and pillows and yoga pants. What I mean to say in all of this is we must be able to filter our thoughts through prayer and petition.
God, I thought I heard you speak about my job, my family, my life’s mission. Father where are you leading me? Why can’t I quit thinking about that experience?
Setting aside time to allow God’s Word and will to sink into your soul will help reaffirm the route to your calling and dissuade doubts. Difficult as it may be my friend, it is IMPERATIVE to find stillness.
Pay Attention to Wandering Thoughts
Speaking of your thoughts, pay attention to thoughts that wander. Our thoughts often wander to the places we want to go. Sadly, we often whisk these thoughts away and dismiss them as silly or unrealistic.
Unrealistic or not, these thoughts may be indications of dreams buried in your heart. A call embedded in the very fabric of who you were made to be. A call quieted by the world’s demands to be rational, responsible and realistic.
God’s call on your life is far greater and higher than human comprehension. Let your thoughts wander and thank God for them! He will plant some wild things in your imagination and if you choose to water them you just might get to harvest the unbridled joy of watching them come to fruition.
What Do Others Say You are Good at?
If you don’t trust your own thoughts, what about the thoughts of those close to you? Tuning into what others have to say about your unique gifts and talents is a fantastic way to hear your calling more clearly.
There is a young man in my community who has an incredible skill. A skill that isn’t common for a young man of his age and stage but a breathtaking skill nonetheless. I myself have commented on his talent many times and witnessed the praises of others when they take in his handy work.
I imagine what would happen to this young man’s call if he listened to the opinion of naysayers and dwelled on the judgment and criticism that gets thrown his way. It saddened me to think that God’s kingdom might not have been furthered in the industry this young man is pursuing had he given in to the world’s harsh opinions.
I mention this to encourage you. I bet there is a lot of judgment and criticism getting thrown your way when you do what you love. Whether that judgment and criticism is self-imposed or poured on by someone close to you, I’d be willing to bet you’ve received some encouragement too.
Hold on to that encouragement. Cling to it. Pay attention to it. Even if the encouragement is few and far in between it could very well be an indicator of a unique call on your life.
What Does God’s Word Say?
God’s Word always has the final say. If you’re calling doesn’t ultimately glorify Him and draw others closer to His throne, keep listening. Your calling doesn’t have to be a ministry role or a job at a church. Your calling can we walked out in just about any field, industry or lifestyle and still glorify God.
So get in His Word. Take note of how He speaks. Dig into the great call and commission of the early church, and pay attention to the methods mentioned above.
You might hear God in every method mentioned above. You might hear Him speak through a simple verse or a gentle whisper. However, you hear His call, chase after it with all your heart, my friend. The world needs what you’ve got.
Ready to Hear More Clearly?
God’s call on your life isn’t necessarily going to be thrust upon you in a big, glorious uproar from heaven. You’re going to have to work at this whole “calling” thing and tune into more than one channel.
If you take nothing else away from this post I hope that you are encouraged to get in God’s Word and to wait on Him. Those are unequivocally the most important activities involved in the quest to hearing your calling.
Looking to go deeper? I would love to discuss how one-on-one coaching might be right for you as you explore what God’s unique calling on your life is. Read more here: baileystonecoaching.com/coach-with-bailey
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