Anyone Know Your Calling?

[Nancyer]

I have struggled with this for the past 5 years, when I came to Christ and began studying His Word. I have asked God time and time again to show me where He wants me to be, what I should be doing. I have a strong and growing sense that I'd like to go back to school and study the Bible. Become a Bible teacher. Don't know if that is doable at this time or if it is God saying this to me.

I am a very creative, artistic person. I am also very outgoing, friendly and compassionate. I give a lot of time to my church, as I have been unemployed for 1 1/2 years now, I feel I can still give of my time and energy if I can't give money. (Have a job interview tomorrow, keep me in your prayers, please).

Would dearly love to serve the Lord in my job, whatever that entails. I believe that if I worked as a secretary, receptionist or sales clerk I would be serving Him by the way I treat others.

 

[KohenMatt]

I don't really know what my calling is.

Unless it is to be the anchor and foundation, spiritually and emotionally, for my family. If I'm to be more than that it hasn't been revealed to me.

I had a pastor tell me I would do mighty things for the Lord. I'm not sure what that entails.

I would say a large part of it is what you're already doing. I can think of very few things that would be more "mighty in the Lord" than being that anchor for your family that you already are.

 

[KohenMatt]

My calling at present is in this order:
1) To lead my wife and 4 kids in a deeper and more fulfilling relationship with God.
2) To minister at my church with everything I have for as long as He has me there.
3) To work at my job (with the government no less) and be a light to the world.

Obviously, that's only the generalities. There are a lot more specifics involved.

 

[rainin]

I can't say that I have one true calling. The Lord has seen fit to use me in many ways. I never know who or when I will be called to do His will. Sometimes I am called for big jobs....generally they are just little things here and there as I go along. I think the Lord has given me a calling to be willing. I don't have to be able as He takes care of all that.

 

[Allin]

I absolutely think someone's calling or part of it can be this site or one like it. If one person get off there computer tonight and makes one decision(most people here have big deal issues) differently, that persons who life has changed. Some people don't realize how broken some people are. twice in the last two days were there talks of suicide. what greater calling than that. To help save a life or heal a heart.!

As for God's specific purpose in your life I posted a thread today on how to discover yours. it's how I discovered mine and I get to live it every day.GB

Can you give a link to the thread you started about this. I wrote: "I think it's important for everyone to at least have an idea of what God is calling them to and why they're alive (it definitely isn't to debate and discuss Christian points)."I'll just focus on the part in parentheses:that is talking about idle debates and discussions. The Bible tells us to avoid idle chatter which leads to more and more godlessness which is, by my own experience, very true. Paul said, "The Kingdom of God does not consist in words (is not dependent on, built on, supported by, reliant on words) but in power" (1Cor. 4:15). The Bible says we must be ready to give a defense for our way of life (if we live for Christ and not for self by the empowerment of the religious spirit), and it is right to defend God's Word. In doing so, you will have to 'debate'. But I know that most people bent on debating are not right in heart; no one is called to debate and discuss idly but to speaks words of Grace that help others and not themselves.

You said, "Some people don't realize how broken some people are. twice in the last two days were there talks of suicide. what greater calling than that. To help save a life or heal a heart.!" Those people especially need Jesus in others and not idle discussion. Helping others and other things people see as callings today are not what I mean in asking about one's calling. A better word is purpose. No one is created to do just one thing though we may do one thing at a time. Everyone who helps 'the least of these' in sincerity and from a pure heart (online or in person) is equal to the evangelist raising the dead in 3rd world countries. God approves (or disapproves of) us not by what we do but by why we do it; He looks on the heart.

 

[notshaken67]

I believe we all have the same calling to adore, worship, exalt, obey, share our testimonies, help the poor, encourage the broken hearted and spread the good news about Jesus Christ. we will do that through our gifts given to us by God.

 

[Allin]

The burning bush scene in Prince of Egypt is very powerful and moving.

It was! I have never experienced God's presence in any church or fellowship as much as I did when I watched 'Prince of Egypt' with the exception, though it was a different type of manifestation, of the small church in Nashville, TN in early '08. I was caught off-guard and was a little perplexed: "God is here in a movie theater... while I'm watching a cartoon?" I record bits of these two experiences in numbers 2 and 3 at this link: http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/84689-experiencing-gods-presence-my-experiences.html.

I was watching a cartoon when God manifested in the theater! Who ever heard of that! But there are many people who are experiencing the same things and learning that God isn't confined to church or Christianity but that "the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof" (Ps. 24:1). I don't want to repeat the theater encounter (these encounters are holy, and it took a lot to even post them on a site), so take a look at that link above, and I hope you're edified.

 

[Allin]

I don't really know what my calling is.

Unless it is to be the anchor and foundation, spiritually and emotionally, for my family. If I'm to be more than that it hasn't been revealed to me.

I had a pastor tell me I would do mighty things for the Lord. I'm not sure what that entails.

You're a young grandpa. I just hope I'm not old before I become a dad. I keep trying to explain to God that we don't live as long today as they did in Abraham's time!

I forgot that language is used differently in different contexts and forgot what many churches have made 'calling' out to be before I posted this thread with its title. But it's a good thing, because it exposes the hearts of some which they'd rather keep hidden. Let me distinguish:

1. In churches today, 'calling' means something that makes you special (even more special than others). I don't like that definition either, and I can see how it would rub some people the wrong way. That definition of calling doesn't leave room for 'small things' like running a kid nursery or a bakery shop somewhere downtown; that definition, rather, implies grandiosity, specialness, better-thanness, etc. Like everything that the flesh and soul do, that current running definition of 'calling' disregards what the Bible says and shows calling to be: "And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues" (1Cor. 12:28). Always pushing to be first, the flesh defiles the meanings of all Scripture and takes the above to mean a pecking order or a vertical progression (top to bottom) when it really is a horizontal one (first, second, third, etc.). There are people who just serve food and do janitorial work as their calling (which, again, is not their purpose which I may have to define separately); but everyone wants to take the 'special positions' today.

2. In truth, 'calling' should be more correctly called 'callings'. Each person has more than one gift and more than one talent; that can never all be used for one 'calling'. What you do may be your calling, but who you are is your purpose.

There's so much within what you shared that I won't even try to dissect it too much, but let me do a step by step:

A. "I don't really know what my calling is."Welcome to the rest of us. It's hard to know what your one calling is when you have more than one... and we all have more than one, that's why it's not easy to know one calling since it isn't one but several.

B. "Unless it is to be the anchor and foundation, spiritually and emotionally, for my family." This is the primary calling (responsibility) of every man who has a family. God isn't looking for people who are looking for the limelight (something that not even the brightest Christian seems to have apprehended yet in the mad dash to have a calling and minister); He is looking for people He can trust: in the movie Gladiator, the Caesar didn't choose his son who desired the throne; He chose Maximus who just wanted a simple life with his wife and family, because he was trustworthy to lead without selfish interests. (I.e. his mind was on his family; as long as it stayed there, he would be a good ruler.) Hanani the seer said to Asa, king of Judah who'd relied on others instead of God, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to strengthen those whose hearts are loyal to Him" (2Chron. 16:9). And Paul said, "Let a man so consider us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in a steward that a man must be proven faithful" (1Cor. 4:1-2). If you chose people to babysit your kids or to look after a business, you would preferably choose people you can trust. God chooses many people but has His preference (which we see with Saul and David) and it is trustworthy men (and women) who keep their eyes and hands off the things that belong to God (the Bride, the Throne (glory), etc.) and on the things that belong to them (no covetous spirit). He can entrust them with things that belong to Him (glory, primarily), because they won't try to keep it for themselves.

C. " If I'm to be more than that it hasn't been revealed to me." Who is to say what 'more' is. "God makes men what they are."

D. "I had a pastor tell me I would do mighty things for the Lord. I'm not sure what that entails." If you draw closer and closer to God and do those primary things of watching over your family, God will do mighty things for you even if you never do what others consider mighty things for Him.

 

[Allin]

I know my calling (not to say He wont redirect me later) and I say this not to boast of myself but to boast in the One who has granted me tools and resources, as well as the passion(which motivates my press for education) to fulfill my purpose in life.

I have no children and a well paying job that allows me to contribute heavily to a 401(k) and a passion for investing. Some people have a knack for growing gardens, I have a knack for growing money. The next 20 years I labor for the Lord so that upon my retirement with my modest lifestyle that I live ,will be able to inject everything into the needs of the poor and destitute He puts before me. I will (and am know) be a member of the Body of Christ, as my body will be the vehicle by which the basic needs of many will be met. The next twenty years I will research a way for the funds to be a sustaining tool for generations to come.

Funny, similar to Schindler in "Schindler's List" when it comes to money, I feel like he did at the end of the movie when he has done so much but realizes he had a ring on his finger and is distraught because he felt like the money for the ring could have saved more people.

Anyway I hope I didn't bore anybody with this read. im just happy I know my calling and live it each day. Praise to You Lord Jesus!

I really like this. I feel that even if one was a millionaire, he should still shop with regard for others (that is, when he buys things, he is aware of those who have nothing which makes his spending neither too much or too little; his heart is in the right place). I was talking to someone about money yesterday. There is a need to fund and finance ventures, things, people, etc. Money tends to be that one thing that so many need to live, and there need to be 'centers of funding' that operate by God's wisdom-- i.e. they give where the Lord wants them to give. This kind of stewardship of money will cause even more money to come in to fund things: the Law of Reciprocity-- "Give, and it will be given to you." Unfortunately, many cling to money and don't know how to let it go (and if they can let it go, they don't know how to hear God on where to give or have nowhere they know to give); but people like you who aren't slaves of money but make money their slave (to use toward in ways that bear fruit and help others) are blessed (lucky, truly fortunate).

 

[Allin]

Everyones calling is to walk humbly with theur God. Im trying to get over the mindset that there is one defining thing that God has made us to do (at least me anyway) If we walk humbly with Him, we can be sure we will either eventually find out what God has for us or we will certainly see it unfold in the present and in hindsight.

There is no one specific thing He made us to do. I'm going through words I could've used instead of 'calling'. One is 'purpose', but that wouldn't work here. One that would be good for you is 'identity' instead of 'calling'. A child's identity comes from his parents, primarily his father. We are called to be sons, to have the identity of sons. While it's easy to say, "My identity is a child of God", it isn't quite the same as realizing it: "[I pray that] the eyes of your understanding [may be] enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe" (Eph. 1:18-19). Finding out, for each person, what their identity is is progressive; but first it's important to even know there is something more important (or that is before) calling or what some call 'purpose' and it is identity-- the person God created you specifically, specially, and uniquely to be.

 

[MyPottersClay]

Yes Allin, the thread is under "Christian yound adults forum" and the title is, "God created you for a specific purpose, lets find yours."

I believe there is a difference between calling and purpose. Technically we are all "called to love and serve the Lord"

Purpose however is more specific than that. it is Christian vocation of community service. Although we all can experience the Love of Christ however it doesn't change the fact that there are those who physically suffer. This is where our "purpose" comes forward to alleviate the pain of those who are without. To be the Body of Christ who walk the Earth doing His will.

Those who discover their purpose in life live a more fulfilling life because the get to experience themselves as a vehicle used by the Lord to "raise up" the poor and helpless.

 

[Allin]

That's kind of interesting. For some reason I feel God is calling me to prepare for an economy crash. I'm making plans on how to live a life without money and to be able to help others survive. If the money you make ends up being worthless, come find me up north. We can use your bank notes for kindling and we can enjoy some moose jerky.

Say it ain't so. I've really enjoyed smelling these greenbacks. Oh well. I've heard about the dollar and other currencies becoming worthless too. It seems that's a long way off in the future, unless gold becomes readily available to everyone soon, because there are some things regarding money that have not yet happened. It's like people who say 'the rapture' or second coming can happen any time but disregard that Jesus, who did say that, said that there are certain things that must happen before the second coming. One of the patterns I noticed that God followed often in the Bible is that He would prepare one person to be righteous and then He would 'return' to claim their children: Abraham and the nation of Israel (and when God said He'd wipe them out, choose Moses, then make of him a great nation); Jesus and the apostles and Church; etc. This happened so often (first earth then second earth, etc.) that I believe myself that God will raise up a righteous generation and then 'return' when they have reproduced (at about the time the generation has children or their children have children-- 2nd or 3rd generation; but the reproduction I'm really talking about is reproducing godliness in another generation following. God has always been this way, and I don't see Jesus coming to swoop us off as soon as He gets one righteous generation. Anyway, things happen in order: first things, then second things. It seems that there are some important things that have to happen before currency crashes (unless, as I said before, there is another type of currency that's readily available (or another type or the same type of currency is introduced) in order that God's Word will maintain its integrity).

 

[Allin]

Jesus was a carpenter, but that was not his calling, purpose or vocation as the Son of man. Paul was a tent maker. Christ called the twelve away from their means of making a living into service, for a reason. We need to think differently about these things, it's called being heavenly minded. We serve God with our spirit. Biblical calling has this purpose, "And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled" Jesus went through this process, as He was about His Father's businss, Lk 2:40, 52.

You put it better than I did. Jesus worked as a carpenter (not His calling) and was a rabbi (not His purpose); and Paul was a tent maker (not his calling) and a Jew (not his purpose-- i.e. to preach to the Jews). Good way to distinguish or to at least make the distinction that 'calling' isn't our job, work, etc., though it can include those. Looks like another several similar words that need to be clearly defined.

 

[Allin]

Do you know you can build a school in Africa today for $12,000.
they will provide the maintenance and the teachers.

Do you also know the impact of a bible lesson each day in this school on these children and those who teach it. do you realize they, the poor, helpless and hopeless are the same ones that Jesus Christ said "that which you do for the least of these you do for Me".
Yes, I will continue to live on a portion that I make and go without the many materials that I believe to be of no value to cash in for something that is.

They say you can learn a lot about a man by his definition of success...

Sir I will give you my personal definition of success in return for yours.

"The impact of the altered & sustainable wellbeing for those & their families to follow who's only means by which a need be met or hope given was simply by the fact you existed."

I don't expect you to understand, but your criticism is duly noted.

One of the hard things to work through in any Christian gathering is the fact that no two people could be alike if it was even possible: different everything. Even those with all the same spiritual gifts have different physical talents and qualities. For this reason, one person saves in order to give (in Paul's writings, we see individual traits fell on whole cities or regions: the Bereans checked the Bible for themselves; these people gave to Paul all the time from their resources; these other people gave to Paul out of their little; etc.); another person may be called to receive and keep. The purposes and callings are too vast for any one people or group to pin it all down. For this reason, the Holy Spirit, from the very beginning in Acts, must be the One who governs the Church (and God is the One who distributes all gifts ("every good and every perfect is from above")) since no one else is able to do it.

 

[Allin]

I understand you have not been here long enough to read some of my past posts. I assure you if you did you would see I'm not being critical, discouraging, or in the least bit sarcastic. I sincerely believe we are at the precipice of society. I foresee an eminent economic crash in the near future. Something is stirring in the shadows and it has the military preparing for Martial Law. This I believe, God has caused me to see to prepare for survival. If or when this happens it will be civil war and anarchy. My invitation was legitimate. However, if you are not fond of moose meat, perhaps we can catch you a fish. For all of our sakes I hope I don't see this in my lifetime. I have four kids and a wife to worry about. I know God is in control and whatever happens, happens, but if this has been revealed to me by the Lord, I think I should do something about it....just as you have.

Always important also to check all things. When God reveals things, He often reveals them individually but also corporately. When we get things individually, it's important to keep checking with God and others if they are available. This is because sometimes things change: God may tell us one thing and then it changes perhaps just slightly. If we are not checking, we won't know. Martial Law and worse are planned for the U.S. and across the world (worse things, in my opinion, are already happening here in these Western nations especially but not above surface and certainly not making the news); but it's important to be linked across with others always (or/and to keep checking with God as to procedure) in order to keep good balance at all times.

 

[Allin]

I loved "The Prince of Egypt." I remember crying when I first saw it and God opened the Red Sea.

I believe I am called to be a teacher. But I have also had many instances of seeing myself preaching before people.

Sometimes it can be hard to know your calling until you are doing it! =)

But I know for the last few years my calling has been helping and supporting my sick mother. Sometimes I think I should be out there preaching to the masses, but I hear God's quiet voice tell me, "Take care of the sheep I gave you and don't worry about the others." I know everything has a season and I am learning to be content and joyous in every part of my life that God leads me into.

I was in a theater when I first saw it, and tears streamed down my face. The Holy Spirit wouldn't leave the theater long enough for me to breathe. I felt miserable. It was weighty. It wasn't addressing any earthly things but matters of eternal significance and God's Kingdom; when such things enter our atmosphere, they can be weighty and not very comforting to our flesh.

It's a good thing you distinguished between teaching quietly and preaching before people. And yes, sometimes we aren't meant to know 'what our calling is called' so the call of the calling doesn't get in the way so to speak. And I'm glad you were able to hear the Lord say not to worry about the masses but to attend to the first, little, and least of things first. That's where He goes looking for shepherds-- on the backside of the desert. Everything has a season. It's important to learn to love the things that are yours (things God has given to you) and distinguish them from the things that are His (your gifts and talents and abilities as used for God's glory, your ministry, your calling, your purpose, your identity, and everything that is meant to glorify God in your life: all those things belong to God, and the rest are yours). If you can learn to love the things that are yours, you will not only have found 'the secret of happiness' (not coveting anything that isn't yours) but will have captured God's attention: "He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following ewes that had young He brought him, to shepherd Jacob His people" (Ps. 78:70-71).

 

[Allin]

1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1Co 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

I have found that I fit this perfectly.

"That no flesh should glory in His presence." Amen. There are things that belong to us and things that belong to God; we should never mix them up and should never desire the things that are God's alone (or else we're in trouble). "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord", because everything worth boasting about comes from God and from nowhere else: "What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it" (1Cor. 4:7).

 

[Allin]

I have struggled with this for the past 5 years, when I came to Christ and began studying His Word. I have asked God time and time again to show me where He wants me to be, what I should be doing. I have a strong and growing sense that I'd like to go back to school and study the Bible. Become a Bible teacher. Don't know if that is doable at this time or if it is God saying this to me.

I am a very creative, artistic person. I am also very outgoing, friendly and compassionate. I give a lot of time to my church, as I have been unemployed for 1 1/2 years now, I feel I can still give of my time and energy if I can't give money. (Have a job interview tomorrow, keep me in your prayers, please).

Would dearly love to serve the Lord in my job, whatever that entails. I believe that if I worked as a secretary, receptionist or sales clerk I would be serving Him by the way I treat others.

Sometimes God leaves us in situations that make us come closer to Him. For you, it may be where you are now. Sometimes He talks by not talking. I hope you'll get that job if it's His will but that if you don't, you will learn to hear Him from other channels besides the normal ways He has spoken to you in the past: "Your ears will hear a word behind you saying, 'This is the way, walk in it' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left" (Isa. 30:21).

 

[Allin]

My calling at present is in this order:
1) To lead my wife and 4 kids in a deeper and more fulfilling relationship with God.
2) To minister at my church with everything I have for as long as He has me there.
3) To work at my job (with the government no less) and be a light to the world.

Obviously, that's only the generalities. There are a lot more specifics involved.

It's a blessing to have your priorities in order, and what a blessing to be working with the government (of course, that's not necessarily how you feel). Some places boast such a great darkness that the Lord's light can't enter; those are great places to work. But God has so many people in areas where we are weak and not strong to teach us to depend on Him, so I'd be surprised if your work makes you feel alive and fulfilled.

 

[Allin]

I can't say that I have one true calling. The Lord has seen fit to use me in many ways. I never know who or when I will be called to do His will. Sometimes I am called for big jobs....generally they are just little things here and there as I go along. I think the Lord has given me a calling to be willing. I don't have to be able as He takes care of all that.

It's different for everyone, but every part is necessary and equally important. "Those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need" (1Cor. 12:22-24).