"What is a calling? How do I know I have one?" As I speak with Christians sometimes, I often wonder what their definition of a calling is. It seems that this term is a puzzle for many Christians. Due to it's mystery, some do not even figure out if they even have a calling.
Why don't some Christians want to think about their calling? I want to go through a few examples and questions that I had as a new believer/non-believer.
1. What is it?
2. It seems to have so many definitions out there, so how would you know if you even have a calling?
3. The idea of having a calling is terrifying to someone who craves "freedom."
The term "Calling", refers to someone who has a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence. (Websters Dictionary) Well that is a whole lot of words that can be dangerous when misunderstood. Well I would like to add to that definition. A calling has two parts, a primary calling and a secondary calling. Both important, but often the secondary calling takes precedent over the primary calling which is something to be cautious about. Well how does one know if they even have a primary calling? Well best place to start is to turn to the bible. Here are a few verses to look up. Ephesians 4:1, 1st Thessalonians 1:4 and 2nd Timothy 1:9. Notice that all of these instances Paul writes to the whole church (congregations), telling them that because they have received the word with power/grace, they have a calling. This can happen many ways. Angels came to Mary and Joseph to tell them their son will be the Messiah, imaging as a child hearing that from your parents for the first time. Saul (who later became the Apostle Paul) was blinded and lead to a man where scales then fell off his eyes. Jesus healed a man who was paralyzed. These are but a few cases where God allowed people to follow his calling.
What's his calling? It's the same for all Christians, the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20. We are to go and make disciples of all nations. In other words we are not to withhold the Gospel from people. Some will only go down the street, others will go to India and help with prostitution. It all depends on where God calls you but the important thing in these verses to know, it to "go." Wherever that might be is between you and God. Now the question is, where do I go and what do I do once I go? This is the question that is asked when you want to find out your secondary calling.
Our God is a God of mystery and he loves doing things in a unique way for each of us. He has also gifted us in a unique way as well, which goes to show that we cannot all be called to serve in India helping prostitutes escape from their lifestyle. I couldn't do that, God hasn't given me that desire to do that. Just like he hasn't given me that desire to serve at a church where they require janitorial work, both are pleasing to God's eyes, but both are not what I have been called to. Paul talks a little about this in 1st Corinthians 12.
People can tell you many things about what a calling is suppose to look like. Some will say, you must hear God's voice or else it does not mean anything. Others will tell you that "it is sudden and you will know." Well, I know those are some ways which when you look in the bible you will find, but that doesn't mean that is the only way. Paul mentions in 1st Corinthians 12:4 That there are many gifts but the Spirit distributes them. In other words, when we seek the Spirit and ask for His gifts, we will find our calling through that. In order to seek the Spirit we need to stay in the Word to better hear Him. We need to be patient and listen and he will give us what is needed for your calling. For me, it took 6 months of waiting on his word. three of those months were making sure I was hearing correctly. Now as I mentioned before our secondary calling isn't to proceed our primary calling. For me, my secondary calling is to pay off my debt and go to Estonia and plant churches there, however during that time, I am here and still need to follow my primary calling of sharing the Gospel. God has put young men on my heart to help and show them what it means to be a Man of God, I know that calling is the same here as it will be over there in Estonia.
The idea of leaving to go to a foreign land that I didn't even know where it was on the map six months ago, is terrifying, but one thing I have learned a lot of this year is that allowing God to make the plans for me, means although I have to hand over my "freedom" but, I am allowing a God full of greater imagination to control my life which means, my life will be exhilarating.
