Discover God’s Calling On Your Life

How do I know God’s calling on my life?

We all want to feel useful, that our lives have a purpose. Good news – YOU have a calling. “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 hope and a future,” Jeremiah 29:11.

If you are anything like me, every couple of weeks or so, you’re questioning what you’re doing with your life, particularly in the area of your career. The lucky ones among us have been able to discern what we should be doing at an early stage, while others are still searching. Many of us had to make certain decisions about our careers out of economic necessity. Others (like me) made certain decisions about career either out of a lack of proper direction or from a basis of skewed priorities. But still, there is a persistent feeling that something needs to be different in terms of work.

So how do we deal with this type of situation in a faithful way? One of the images of Jesus that we share is that of Him as the shepherd and we as his sheep. Like an earthly shepherd calling his sheep, we should be able to recognize Jesus’ distinctive voice and come running when he calls. How do we recognize his voice? How can we know what it is he wants us to do?

Discover who you are in Christ.

I was a very demanding determined child. I wanted to be entertained 24/7. I loved playing with my dolls and stuffed animals, coloring pictures, or torturing my little brother. (Grin!) You could often find me playing board games or cards, riding my bike, or reading books. But I almost always could be found expressing myself through music: practicing piano or standing on the hearth, singing and dancing my heart out. Even at the earliest age, God was developing in me a strength He would later use in my ministry.

Around eight years old I fell in love with the written word. I devoured books as soon as I got my hands on them. One of my favorite pastimes was going to the library or a used bookstore with my Mom. I LOVED the smell. (You bibliophiles know what I’m talking about!) Even those moments, as silly or small as they may be, were God’s way of preparing me to be a writer and speaker. Writers are first good readers.

What about you? What are your interests? Do you find that God began developing them in you at early age, too? God’s purpose for your life is found in the passions and dreams He gave you. It is there we find the fullness of joy by giving our time and energy to the things we love. Things He planned for us from the beginning.

You cannot hear your call until you have heard the Call.

I want a life filled with meaning. We all do. We all want to be great, with spiritual wisdom and direction. We want to be able to express our gifts and talents in God’s service. We can only tap into our callings when we have the presence of the Holy Spirit indwelling us. You first must know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. The wisdom we gain from the Holy Spirit allows us to determine God’s will and leading in your life. All Christians share the purpose to build and grow the Kingdom of God.

Give God your best efforts.

God brings out the best in us. When we are focused on committing ourselves to God and discovering his call on our life we grow in relationship with him. The closer you are to him, the more you will want to give him your best. I think many of us expect God’s voice to be some painfully obvious revelation that comes through prayer. And sometimes it is. But Jesus speaks to each of us differently. Sometimes it is that still, small voice in the back of our mind – a gentle but persistent feeling of a dull hunger deep inside, or a growing conviction that we can no longer ignore, or perhaps a feeling of warmth and oneness when we are in His presence.

Sometimes his voice is much more commanding, particularly if we aren’t responding to the gentle nudging mentioned above. It could be some sort of wake up call regarding our health, or through some sort of accident. Or, it could be that feeling of powerlessness before temptations that might destroy our family, our marriage, or our reputation. Or, it could be sudden clarity about how much we depend on God for everything. Let’s hope we hear and respond to the still, small voice before He has to get more persistent!

Trust what you hear is from God.

So, now we are tuned in and listening to God’s voice, but sometimes it is not at all clear what he wants us to do. God has given all of us the talents we need to have to do His will. We have to discover the talents we have in order to put them to good use serving God. Whatever that talent (or talents!) is it has been planted in each of us by God.

Once we examine the details surrounding His call, and find our particular talent, we must look at the needs around us. God’s call will match our talents with a specific need. Over time, God will show us what we need to do.

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Write down your gifts and talents. Then meditate on ways you can perform them to God’s glory in your daily life. In the comments, please tell me how you use your talents to God’s glory!