Showing posts with label answering God's call. Show all posts
Showing posts with label answering God's call. Show all posts

Monday, December 29, 2014

Five Ways to Find Your Calling


         As devoted Christians we realize that answering the call of God is of utmost importance.  How can we rightly serve God if we do not know what he is asking of us?  We are aware that God expects us to forgive, to act kindly, to avoid bad behavior, to be patient and to do our best to avoid falling into sin.  But what, specifically, is it in terms of our careers, family and volunteer work that God is asking of us?  For some people, the answer to this question seems to be dropped in their laps from God himself.  Others must work quite hard to figure out what they are here to do.  For those who are unsure of God’s calling for them, the answer might seem to change constantly.  Others never seem to find their calling and they remain as confused in mid-life as they were as teenagers.

         While only God knows what he has in mind for you, and only he will let you know what that calling is in his time, there are some hints you might be missing.  Why waste another day wondering?  These five ways to find your calling will help you assess whether or not you are on the right path.  They will also help those of you who are so lost you don’t know where to begin.

      What talents do you have?

      There is a strong temptation to enter into a field that pays well.  And there is nothing wrong with earning a good living, so long as you are responsible and generous!  The problem comes in when we try to do something we are not very good at because we want the rewards of having a certain position.  The truth is, God gave you – yes YOU - specific gifts he expects you to use.  If you are highly creative and are going for a degree in accounting you might be off track.  God never gives us a good set of skills he does not intend for us to use in some positive way.  It can take some research and soul-searching, but somewhere there is a need for your unique skill set.

      What’s your passion?

      This one is a little trickier because our passions sometimes get in the way of what we are called to do, especially if we are making something important to us that is not important to God.  For instance, many people have a passion for the outdoors, the arts, politics and religion.  But there is only so much need for certain things that many people are passionate about.  This does not mean you should not take your passion into consideration – not by a long shot.  What you are passionate about may be your calling.  Read on.

      What makes you want to pursue your passion?

      Try to think like Jesus.  When did Jesus put his own desires and needs before that of his people?  He didn’t.  Likewise, if your passion is say, politics, what do you want to do regarding politics?  Run for office?  If so, why?  If you long for a political career mainly for the opportunity to control the lives of others or for the privileges that come with being a politician, you can safely say you are pursuing the wrong dream.  As a Christian, you are to put God first and others before yourself.  That’s quite a concept in today’s world.  And for the Christian politician, this means you absolutely must do what is right according to the Constitution because you swear to uphold it.  If you want to become a politician because you want to change people’s lives without their say-so, move on, soldier.  The same concept can be applied to any passion.

      How will I contribute to the lives of others?

      You can help others directly (nurse) or indirectly (engineer), but what you do must be for the good of others, not only yourself.  While almost any job will cater to some need people have, you must be able to carry out your duties with a spirit similar to that of Jesus.  If you show up for work only for the paycheck, you are probably in the wrong field.  Moreover, some people find themselves bored during the work day and wind up wasting a lot of time on social networks.  But you are being paid to work, not to network.  How do you think God feels about your goofing off half the day and getting paid for a full day’s work? 

      Try It!

      After thoroughly praying about, thinking about and assessing what your calling might be, as long as you are painfully honest with yourself – try it!  Of course, if you are not good at math but have always loved the idea of designing fighter planes, your passion might be ahead of your abilities.

            Many people stress over the fact that they have such a desire to do something, but not the ability.  Don’t worry about it.  Remember, our motives are often self-serving and not of God, even if we do not always recognize it.  If you have an idea to do something that utilizes your unique talents and passions, and the reason you are passionate about it is more than self-serving rewards, give it a go.  Even if you are initially wrong about the direction you are taking, God will help you find the right path.

            The main idea is to give of yourself using the talents and skills God has blessed you with.  Remember that you are working for God above all and others before yourself and you almost can’t go wrong.  If you keep your mind and heart focused in this way, you will be in constant prayer with God.  So evaluate your talents, skills and passions, then get to work.  By actively seeking the Will of God, he will guide you to where he intends for you to be in every aspect of your life.