Is Your Calling Your Job?
Are you fulfilling your purpose or calling? I ask myself that many times. We often think of our calling or purpose as the career we pursue, but is it? What made you choose your career was it the expectations of your: parents, teachers, family, friends, and social norms, or was it what you wanted to do? Do you recall being asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” What was your answer? I was asked that question many times and always replied that I wanted to be a soldier. When I was old enough to apply to the military, I was denied because of health reasons. Most times when a child is asked that question, they will enthusiastically state the type of job they want to do when they become adults. Some may even say they want to be a parent. Over the years this may change to other jobs and eventually, a choice is made. They may even change the type of job they do several times in their lifetime.
Many factors may have contributed to the choice and sometimes it is not a right fit for a person, still, they feel happy and fulfilled pursuing that career. In some cases, someone may feel trapped based on their situation, especially if they need to pursue that career to pay the bills and they can see no other option. They settle in it and as the years go by, they become more and more disillusioned.
This type of situation does not only happen with a career but with other aspects of life. It may be the ministry you serve in, the spouse you have, your lifestyle, the country you live in, or the dream you have to do something different. Is our calling about our career, marriage, having children, or our lifestyle? You may have checked all the boxes on what you consider the perfect plan for your life and still an emptiness persists.
You may feel like you are not living up to your full potential and wonder if you are fulfilling the purpose that God has for your life. Many Christians face the same challenges and frustrations as they try to discover and follow God’s will for their lives.
Is there hope? Can things change? Can I change my situation and begin to pursue my passion and purpose? Am I too old to start afresh? Oh my God, what do I do? Yes, yes there is hope, you can change, you can transform your situation. It won’t be easy, but it can be done. The first step is acknowledging your feelings and confessing them to the Lord in prayer. Now prepare to fight, changing one’s situation is never easy and will require persistence, faith determination, and courage. Fear is an obstacle you must overcome, am I doing the right thing? Where will I get the money from? People will think I am foolish, what happens if it does not work? Am I sure this is what God wants me to do? All these questions will begin to swirl in your mind and may persuade you not to try. As Jesus said fear brings torment.
The second step is to know and accept who God says you are, He says that you are His son or daughter. 1 John 3:2 states, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God,” Since you are His child, and every good father takes care of their children, you can be confident that Jesus will take good care of you. I remember when I lost my job, I was devastated, I had been praying for months to keep my job and when I was told that I was terminated I was gripped with fear, what am I going to do? How am I going to take care of my family? How soon can I bounce back? I started to pray, I did not ask the Lord why me, I acknowledged my situation, and I asked him for strength and favor to start rebuilding my career and fulfilling God’s purpose for my life.
The Stated Purpose of the Lord Jesus for Mankind
As followers of Christ, we are called by God to live according to His will and purpose. But what does that mean in practice? What is God’s will and how can we know what He wants us to do in our daily lives?
God’s Will
God’s will is that all men and women have eternal life and none perish. His will is that we each love Him with all our heart, body, mind, and soul and love our brothers and sisters as we love ourselves.
His love for us is so intense that He gave His Life on the cross so that we can all inherit eternal life, and He gave us His Spirit. His Spirit changes our mindset and guides us to love ourselves and love our brothers and sisters similarly. Can you just for a second imagine what this world would be like if we all accepted the love of Jesus Christ and put into practice the principles He teaches? There would be no war, no famine, no starvation, no adultery, no fornication, and no abortion. We would all be living in love and harmony.
The will of the Lord Jesus Christ for us is clearly outlined in His words, He wants us to accept the gift of eternal life by repenting of our sins, being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2: 38). He then wants us to live a life pleasing to Him by applying His word to our lives daily. As we develop the habit of prayer, bible reading, fellowship, worship, and praise it changes how we think and act. As we learn from the Lord, we should practice what we learn with our spouses, children, family, and neighbors. Just as how we apply what we learn in school in our daily lives, we should do the same with the things we learn from Christ.
As Jesus changes us, we change our situations. We begin to see ourselves as He sees us. Psalm 139:14 states, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
As our self-worth grows, we recognize that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. We accept the fact that we are the sons and daughters of reconciliation, and He has given us the ministry of reconciliation: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
Reconciliation means “The restoration of friendly relations and the action of making one view or belief compatible with another”. As we go about our daily lives our lifestyle should impact those around us and help them to be reconciled with Christ. They should feel the love of Christ flowing through us so that it stirs them to want the same love. They should know that we are ambassadors for Christ and be motivated to gladly surrender their lives to Him also.
As good as what you just read may sound, it is easier said than done. It is our goal and a point of motivation to be like Him, to grow into love because God is Love, and love is the bond of perfection. Your goal should now be to grow up to the full measure of Christ. You will fall many times during this quest, but His words, prayer, and the Holy Spirit will comfort you and keep you going forward. Proverbs 24:16, “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again”.
I conclude that your work is a means to an end. It brings in money to take care of the issues that money is needed for, but your complete purpose is attained when you incorporate Christ into your daily life so that you will not be counted among the “most miserable of men”. Life is more than owning houses, cars, and businesses, having children, and money. It is about accepting the gift of eternal life and humanity living in harmony, no war, no famine, no hate – love for each other. To attain that is life’s purpose.
The Bible Teaches that All Christians are Called to Do Some Things
– Love God and love others. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and the second is to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). This means that we should worship God, obey his commands, and seek his glory in everything we do. It also means that we should care for others, especially those who are in need, and show them kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.
– Share the gospel. Jesus commissioned his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything he commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). This means that we should share the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection with others and invite them to repent and believe in him. We should also help them grow in their faith and equip them to serve God and others.
– Grow in holiness. The apostle Paul said that God’s will for us is to be sanctified or made holy (1 Thessalonians 4:3). This means that we should strive to live a life that is pleasing to God and avoid sin and temptation. We should also renew our minds with the truth of God’s word and be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
– Use our gifts. The apostle Peter said that each one of us has received a gift from God, and we should use it to serve others, as good stewards of God’s grace (1 Peter 4:10). This means that we should discover and develop the talents and abilities that God has given us and use them for his glory and the benefit of others. We should also recognize that we are part of the body of Christ, and we need each other to function well.
– Seek God’s kingdom. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). This means that we should seek to have God rule and reign in our lives and the world. We should also work for justice, peace, and righteousness, and oppose evil and injustice. We should also look forward to the day when Jesus will return and establish his perfect kingdom forever.
What is Your Specific Calling?
Before we can focus on our calling, we need to understand what it is. The word “calling” comes from the Greek word “kaleo”, which means “to call, invite, summon”. It implies a personal relationship between the caller and the called, as well as a specific purpose or task. In the Bible, we see that God calls people in different ways and for different reasons. He calls some people to salvation, some to service, some to suffering, some to leadership, some to ministry, and some to a particular vocation or occupation. Regardless of the form or function of our calling, some common elements apply to all of us as followers of Christ.
First, our calling is based on God’s choice and grace, not on our merit or ability. Ephesians 2:8-10 says: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God chose us before the foundations of the world and saved us by His grace through faith in Christ. He also prepared good works for us to do in advance, according to His sovereign will and plan.
Second, our calling is connected to God’s glory and mission, not to our fame or success. 1 Peter 2:9 says: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” God called us out of darkness into his light so that we may declare his praises and make him known among the nations. Our calling is not about us but about him. It is not about what we can achieve or accomplish for ourselves, but about what we can contribute to his kingdom and his purposes.
Third, our calling is confirmed by God’s Spirit and Word, not by our feelings or opinions. Romans 8:28 says: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God works in all things for our good and his glory. He uses His Spirit and His Word to guide us, teach us, correct us, and confirm us in our calling. He also uses other people, such as mentors, counselors, pastors, friends, and family members, to affirm and support us in our calling. Our calling is not based on what we feel or think, but on what God says and does.
Many people struggle with finding out their specific calling. This is especially true for those who want to live a life of purpose and meaning. There is no simple answer to this question, but there are some approaches that can guide us in our search for God’s will.
One approach is to seek God’s presence and direction through prayer and meditation. God speaks to us in various ways, but we need to be attentive and receptive to his voice. Prayer and meditation can help us quiet our minds and hearts and tune in to God’s guidance.
Another approach is to examine our gifts and passions. God has given each of us unique talents and abilities, as well as a desire to use them for his glory. By discovering what we are good at and what we enjoy doing, we can get a glimpse of what God has created us for.
A third approach is to consult with others who know us well and who share our faith. God often uses other people to confirm or challenge our sense of calling. By seeking the advice and feedback of trusted friends, mentors, or spiritual leaders, we can gain valuable insights and perspectives on our potential path.
How to Remain Focused on Your Calling
Once we have a clearer understanding of what our calling is, how can we avoid being side-tracked by the things that hinder us from fulfilling it? Here are some practical tips:
– Pray regularly. Prayer is essential for staying focused on our calling. It helps us to communicate with God, listen to his voice, align our will with his will, seek his guidance, receive his strength, and express our gratitude. We should pray daily for ourselves and for others who share our calling or support us in it. We should also pray specifically for the challenges and opportunities that we encounter in fulfilling our calling.
– Plan wisely. Planning is important for staying focused on our calling. It helps us to set goals, prioritize tasks, manage time, allocate resources, and measure progress. We should plan for the short-term and long-term aspects of our calling. We should also plan realistically to overcome obstacles and risks that we encounter in fulfilling our calling.
– Partner faithfully. Partnerships are beneficial to staying focused on our calling. It helps us to share ideas, learn skills, receive feedback, give support, and enjoy fellowship. We should partner with other people who share our calling or complement it. We should also partner with God, who is the source and sustainer of our calling.
– Persist courageously. Persistence is necessary for staying focused on our calling. It helps us to overcome difficulties, resolve conflicts, face failures, endure hardships, and celebrate successes. We should persist in doing what God has called us to do, even when it is hard or unpopular. We should also persist in trusting God, who is faithful and able to accomplish his purposes through us.
Biblical Examples of People Who focused on their Calling
The Bible is full of examples of people who focused on their calling and fulfilled it, despite the challenges and distractions that they faced. Here are some of them:
– Noah focused on his calling to build the ark and save his family and the animals from the flood, even though he faced ridicule and opposition from the wicked people around him. He obeyed God’s instructions and did everything just as God commanded him. (Genesis 6-9)
– Abraham focused on his calling to leave his country and follow God to the land of promise, even though he did not know where he was going or how long it would take. He believed in God’s promises and obeyed his commands. (Genesis 12-25)
– Joseph focused on his calling to be a ruler and a deliverer for his family and his people, even though he was sold as a slave, falsely accused, and imprisoned. He remained faithful to God and used his gifts and talents for God’s glory. (Genesis 37-50)
– Moses focused on his calling to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and into the promised land, even though he felt inadequate, reluctant, and afraid. He listened to God’s voice and followed his guidance. (Exodus 1-40)
– Joshua focused on his calling to conquer the land of Canaan and distribute it among the tribes of Israel, even though he faced formidable enemies, formidable obstacles, and formidable temptations. He trusted God’s power and kept his commandments. (Joshua 1-24)
– David focused on his calling to be a king after God’s own heart and a forefather of the Messiah, even though he was anointed as a young shepherd boy, persecuted by Saul, and plagued by his sins. He repented of his mistakes and worshiped God with all his heart. (1 Samuel 16 – 2 Samuel 24)
– Esther focused on her calling to save her people from annihilation by the wicked Haman, even though she was an orphaned Jewish girl who became a Persian queen. She risked her life and approached the king with courage and wisdom. (Esther 1-10)
– Daniel focused on his calling to serve God faithfully in a foreign land and influence kings and nations, even though he was exiled from his homeland, faced hostility from his enemies, and faced death for his faith. He prayed regularly, interpreted dreams, and obeyed God’s law. (Daniel 1-12)
– Nehemiah focused on his calling to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore the worship of God among the Jews, even though he was a cupbearer to the king of Persia, faced opposition from his adversaries, and faced corruption from his own people. He prayed fervently, organized effectively, and led boldly. (Nehemiah 1-13)
– Mary focused on her calling to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God, even though she was a young virgin who was betrothed to Joseph, faced ridicule and rejection from her society, and faced sorrow and suffering for her son. She accepted God’s will, treasured God’s word, and magnified God’s name. (Luke 1-2)
– John the Baptist focused on his calling to be the forerunner of Jesus, the Messiah, even though he lived in the wilderness, wore camel’s hair, ate locusts and honey, faced criticism and persecution from the religious leaders, and faced death for speaking the truth. He preached repentance, baptized people, pointed people to Jesus, and decreased himself so that Jesus could increase. (Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3; John 1)
– Paul focused on his calling to be an apostle of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, even though he was a former persecutor of the church, faced hardships, trials, and dangers, and wrote most of the New Testament letters. He preached the gospel, planted churches, discipled believers, and finished the race with joy. (Acts 9-28)
The Glacia Robinson Story
Popular Jamaican gospel singer Glacia Robinson was interviewed on the Alrick Show. The interview is posted on YouTube. She was also interviewed by Ian Boyne (now deceased) on the Religious Hardtalk program of Television Jamaica. She told about her mother dedicating her to God when she was pregnant with her. After high school, she was considering going to university but ended up going to serve as a missionary outside of her country, Jamaica.
In 1998 she entered and won the national gospel song competition in Jamaica with a song titled, “Hold My Hand Today” and she also released the song. It became very popular a ministered to many. Not long after she went through a demonic attack and ended up in hospital. There were rumors that she had died. Many people prayed for her, and many gave up after a while. She said that before she got sick, she was praying, thanking God for the success, for the fame, and for the money she had gotten from winning the competition as well as for all the other blessings in her life and most importantly her health. She recalled that after she prayed that prayer, she had a vision in which the Lord brought her into a courtroom setting and the devil was accusing her. He was asking God to allow him to touch her because she was singing and worshipping God only because He had blessed her. What she recounts is similar in many ways to the story of Job. She traveled overseas and while there she kept experiencing moments of “darkness” and fell ill on her return home.
She could not walk, speak, or eat. She recounts that at one point she could not even keep water in her stomach. Many gave up on her. Her doctors felt that she would not recover. She remained sick for five and a half years and then made a gradual recovery. Since then, she has released several albums and a book and has traveled to several countries to share her testimony. She continues to minister today, remaining true to her calling with many lives being touched.
You can find her story using the links below retrieved on 04/28/2024:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bBFspDHmvM&ab_channel=TheAlrickShow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W69U0o2q0FU&ab_channel=TelevisionJamaica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wljMVlK24w&ab_channel=AngelaUBurns
Conclusion
God has a calling for each one of us, His children. He has chosen us by His grace, called us for His glory, and confirmed us by His Spirit. He has also given us everything we need to fulfill our calling: His Word, His Spirit, His grace, and His people. We also have a responsibility to focus on our calling and avoid distractions. There are things that all of us as Christians are called to do, but there are specific things that you as an individual may be called to do. While those things may sometimes involve your job, they can also be separate. Your calling and your story may be different from that of Glacia Robinson, but one thing is sure, God has a purpose for every one of us. Pursuing and fulfilling your God-given calling will lead to great peace within you regardless of the challenges on the path you travel.