If you are following Jesus, you are already in your calling. What does Jesus ask us to do? “Love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbor as we would love ourselves.” – Matthew 22:37-40
Love God, people. That is our calling.
Before we did into our “calling” we need to understand that God has a different value system. He looks at our heart. He values who we are more than what we do.
1 Samuel 16:7b (Samuel going to anoint the future king) “… the Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance (what we do), but the Lord looks at the heart (who we are).”
Next, as part of our calling of Love God, Love people, you need to know that includes rewards!
If you Love God and Love people, you are following your calling but you will also find it hard to step wrong, to sin, to treat others badly, you’ll make less mistakes, you’ll have more peace and joy.
Psalms 139:13 – You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God’s masterpiece (or workmanship). He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
God does have an original, special, unique calling on your life!
So how do we get to that calling? You’re already there. Because a calling is not a destination it is a step by step journey!
How do I progress in my calling journey?
1. Spend time with God.
Maya Angelou, American author, poet and civil rights activist said this:
“I found that I knew not only that there was a God but that I was a child of God. When I understood that, when I comprehended that, more than that, when I internalized that, ingested that, I became courageous.” – Maya Angelou
Ask God, Invite God, into the journey. What does he wants you to do? Ask him to show you how he loves you and how he approves of you. Ask him to show you your gifts.
Prov. 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord… AND he will show you which path to take. We can trust God when we know him, we know him by spending time with him.
Psalm 37:23-24 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
3. Absorb the fact that God has crafted you AND equipped you for calling.
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God’s masterpiece (or workmanship). He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Your personality, your giftings, talents the things you have learned are all part of this equipping!
4. Recognize what our motives are. Are they to follow what God has planned for us or to look good, be important, have fame? OR maybe you are motivated by fear, worry, anxiety, comparison and these things are preventing you from stepping into what God has for you!
5. Don’t look down on the experiences/jobs you have had. You never know when they will come in handy.
6. Learn to be content and do everything you do for God!
Philippians 4:11-13 – I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Colossians 3:23, Ephesians 6:7 – Work willingly, with enthusiasm, at everything you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than people.
There will be times where the journey is easy and fruitful, and times where it is difficult and dry. It’s all good! It all has a purpose! It’s all part of the journey!
7. Stop any comparison. Start focusing on what God has called you to be.
There are gifts given to us when we are in our calling. Grace, vision, wisdom, provision, peace. These gifts are not available in the same way, or not at all when we are attempting to live someone else’s calling.
Listen Closely: Because we are created individually and have an individual call AND because there are gifts specifically given:
The only journey that will truly inspire you, is your own.
The only journey you will have the stamina for, is your own.
8. Don’t look constantly ahead. What is around your right now? What can you be doing right now?
9. Relax, sometimes there is a “pause” in our calling
10. Part of your calling is healing
God was and is aware of pain that you are carrying, emotions or mental scars that only a few see and even broken relationships in your life. Part of your calling is that God wants you to be healed from these. Restored from the trauma and pain.
11. Your calling includes people. Love God, love people.
a. Support system: family, friends, church, therapist. Get their perspective, get their insight and encouragement, get their help
b. Those we are to share Jesus with. People you will meet because of your vocation. People who will be drawn to the personality God gave you. People who have similar interests to you. The people God has equipped you to bring his love and practical help to.