God called Abraham. He called Moses. Jesus called the disciples. Paul was called by Jesus in a vision. These few examples have one thing in common: the Lord issued a call to each of them. One question begs to be answered, though: How do you find your calling?
What Is a Calling From God?
First off, you must remember that each Christian is called by our God. Paul declares to the Corinth Church that “each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches” (1 Corinthians 7:7, NIV). Paul then repeats to his mentee Timothy that Christ “has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace” (2 Timothy 1:9, NASB).
In other words, Christ calls each of us, not a certain elite of above-average Christians, to live according to His will. In Ephesians, Paul even adds, “For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them” (Ephesians 2:10, NET). Not only are you called, we all are. You have things that God prepared for you to accomplish.
But I get it; when you talk about finding your calling, you’re trying to figure out that ministerial role you’ve been searching for. You can call that your vocation.
So how do you find out that vocational calling from God? To answer that, let’s look at a few examples from the Old and New Testaments. The Bible will be our guidebook.
How God Calls People
1. A Burning Bush Calling
It would be really nice to have a “burning bush calling,” right? An obvious moment with God where his instructions are clear and His presence is undeniable. Unfortunately, we know of only one such instance: Moses’ calling in Exodus 3.
Moses was to be the deliverer of Israel, a calling he knew way back when he was younger. Yes, you read right. He knew about this task from God at age 40, while in Egypt. He met God in the burning bush when he was 80.
Acts 7:25 reminds us that in the story where he killed an Egyptian, Moses “thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not” (NIV). We don’t know where and when Moses got that conviction of God’s purposes. We just know he needed to be reminded by the burning bush.
This story happens once in the Bible, and there are no other similar ones. It wasn’t a once-in-a-lifetime event; it was a once-in-history moment. So God’s calling is not always a burning bush moment.
2. A Road to Damascus Calling
Paul’s conversion is often used as an example of how God calls people. Yet, this is also a once-in-history moment. A “Knock-You-Off-Your-Path” kind of calling (Acts 9:1-18).
During this time in Christian history, the Church is being built, and the Gospel needs to be spread all over the known world. This is such a unique moment that the Lord needs to confirm to Ananias, who was to greet Paul, that “this man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.” (Acts 9:15, NIV)
Though those two biblical stories are unique and unparalleled, most pastors and aspiring leaders utilize these narratives as a common thread of explaining how to find their calling.
3. Other Ways God Calls People to Ministry
Nehemiah heard of a need (the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls) and felt compelled to do something about it. This resembles how many people in history found their calling:
- Mother Teresa did work for the poor.
- George Müller opened orphanages and schools.
- Robert Pierce saw the missionaries’ emergency needs and founded World Vision.
Meeting a need is a common way for God to call people to accomplish those works He’s prepared. It may not be spectacular, but it’s the most common way God uses:
- John Mark was useful for the ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).
- Apollos was a teacher and a gifted apologetic speaker when the Church needed an eloquent orator. (Acts 18:24-28).
- The disciples were called to “come and see” by Jesus. They got their assignments later in their discipleship (John 1:35-51).
Being called by God, for most of the Bible characters, was a non-spectacular, very down-to-earth experience. Yet, most have something in common, including Moses and Paul.
You Won’t Hear God’s Call Until You Remove the Noise
They all had this instant of utter silence, where the literal noises went down. Emotional and psychological noises were also removed by either God or themselves. In order to understand best that calling from God, removing noise is a must.
For most of them, isolation was part of this process:
- Abraham gazing at the stars (Genesis 15)
- Moses in the desert
- David tending his sheep (1 Samuel 16:11-13)
- Elijah in the cavern (I Kings 19:4-18)
- Paul, blinded by his encounter with Christ, was alone in Ananias’ home (Acts 9:10-18)
They removed noises around them. So that is your first step, eliminate some noise. Go find yourself alone in a cottage, take a desert hike or a beach walk. Engage your “Do Not Disturb” mode for some time. Then, you will be more open to getting from God what He wants to download into you.
4 Types of Noises You Need to Remove
You’ve scheduled and ordained those moments of solitude with your Creator. Now, make an inventory of these 4 different yet recurring noises that we all face at some point.
1. The Noise of Entertainment
In a society of pleasure and leisure, you may be tempted to divert your attention towards being entertained. Many just spend countless hours TV binging or social media scrolling, expecting the Holy Spirit to appear to them. That is not an efficient strategy to discover your calling.
2. The Voice of Procrastination
“I’ll start tomorrow” is a loud voice, and it weighs a ton in many people’s minds. Today is a hard day to deal with! The screaming voice of procrastination steals you from dealing with the often negative emotions related to choosing God. Don’t start tomorrow; take a step today. Turn off the TV, start reading God’s word, and invest time praying instead. After all, God says, “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you…” (Jeremiah 29:12-14 NLT).
3. The Lament of Laziness
Maybe you think you’re too busy, or it will be too much of a hassle to discover God’s call for your life. What happens then is that your inner dialogue just wants you to find an easy way to walk on an easy path. Proverbs 20:4 is a good wake-up call when it says, “Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest” (NLT). Eliminating laziness from your own pep talk will kick away some fears of what lies ahead.
4. The Sirens of Your Own Desires
Jeremiah reminds us that our hearts are wicked because human nature will want to seek the easy way or choose the path of less resistance. Taking up your cross does offer resistance, yet, it will give you a purpose, and a meaningful life of fulfillment.
Remove the Noises Distracting You From God’s Call with P.L.A.N.
You may have other noises to silence around you to find that calling of yours. When you do, follow this easy blueprint by sticking to the P.L.A.N.
Pray
Pray like crazy! Remember, when you put God first, everything else is given to you (Matthew 6), and He will let Himself be found (Jeremiah 29:13). For many aspiring leaders, this is the missing ingredient. They talk to professionals and their HR. They ask friends, mentors, and coaches questions. But they forget to turn to the One who ordains their plans: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9 NIV).
List
List all the things you think or feel you could actually do something about. Remember, meeting a need is a very typical way for God to call people to ministry, whether it may be vocational or not.
Do you like to care for people, enjoy putting order to chaos, or are content to enter data into spreadsheets? Maybe you love people and kids or like to help people feel welcome. These can become part of your calling! God uses what He already put in you to become more fruitful.
Activate
Activate yourself and start serving. Find that place where you can actually start making a difference and add value to it:
- Does your church need help in the kids’ ministry? Go for it!
- Does the first impressions team need a personable person? Give your name and help out!
- Is a missionary team going out? Save some money and join them!
By being active, you’ll be discovering what things stir you up and what things don’t necessarily engage you as much. I’d say to rate them from 1 to 10 after praying. I started off in children’s ministry because there was a need, and I wanted my pastor off my back! From there, it brought me to lead kids, teenagers, teams, staff, and mentor and coach hundreds of people.
And when you’re active, give it all you got, like this was what you were to do for the rest of your life. As you know, “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23 NIV).
Narrow
Narrow your list by admitting that you are not gifted in some things while you excel at others. Always pray honestly about these opportunities that lie before you. Talk with some trusted friends or your pastor. Ask for guidance from a mentor or a professional spiritual coach.
You may not narrow your list down to one thing, and that is totally fine! God knows the plans (plural) and the good works (plural again) He has prepared for you. The Holy Spirit knows how to equip you to accomplish the calling He has for you.
Answer the Call
Perhaps you slowed down your pursuit of Jesus and His calling for you. Today is a great day to renew that passion for ministry. With courage and boldness, live out the words of Paul to Timothy when he needed confirmation of his own calling:
“I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:6-7 NLT).
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions Christian job seekers might ask:
1. How can I balance finding my calling with practical life responsibilities?
Balancing a calling with responsibilities like family or financial obligations can be challenging. Start by dedicating small amounts of time to explore your calling, and setting achievable milestones. Integrate purposeful activities into your current job or daily life, allowing a gradual transition.
2. Is a calling always permanent, or can it evolve over time?
A calling can evolve as you grow and gain new experiences. Many people find that their sense of purpose changes through different life stages. Regular self-reflection helps you stay attuned to these shifts, allowing you to adapt and pursue new passions that align with your current values and life circumstances.
3. What are practical steps for avoiding burnout while pursuing my calling?
Burnout can happen when passion isn’t balanced with rest and renewal. Make self-care a priority by setting boundaries, taking regular breaks, and staying connected to supportive communities. Remember, pursuing a calling is a journey, not a sprint. Practicing mindfulness and gratitude can also keep you grounded and energized.
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