How to find your calling?

[k.eliza91]

Is it true that God gives you a purpose for your talent(s)? That if you have a talent, it should be used to glorify Him? How do you know what your purpose in life is?....Is it the passion you have, and what if that passion changes? I've had a view different passions as my life changed, how am I suppose to find out what my calling is?

I'm just tying to learn, so please no negative comments! I'm still very new to all of this.

 

[Tigger45]

Here's a good write up on how Lutheran's view a persons calling. They view it more as your vocation.
Vocation: A Lutheran Understanding - Lutheran School...

 

[Mister_Al]

God may not call you because of the talents you have. However, when He decides to use you He will give you the talents (gifts) you need to do the work He has called you to. Your talents and purpose (direction) may change several times over the years as He molds you into the person He can use.

Blessings,

Alan

 

[Godislove94]

Welcome!
When I first became a Christian I had this same question, and I prayed about it for a long time before it was shown to me, about 6 months. God has to clean you out of some things before He calls you, at least that's how it was in my case. One of the scriptures that was introduced to me during my time of searching was Psalm 37:4 (Delight thyself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart). This means that if you try your best to follow His ways, He will literally put a desire in your heart to do something, your calling. For me, it was music performance, and I knew it because God gave me an intense passion for playing an instrument and the idea would not leave me alone. I don't really know how else to explain it and I hope that makes sense.

 

[k.eliza91]

Thanks! Everyone's been real helpful!!

 

[AGTG]

The best way to know what your calling is for ministry is to spend time drawing near to Him and seeking His face, then begin walking out what He puts on your heart.

The wonderful thing about God is that He may surprise you with what you're to do, but no worries, it is He who will empower you and sustain whatever it is He has called you to do.

Get ready to see His power move mightily in what you're doing, to!

God's Spiritual gifts manifest according to His will, so don't box Him in with what He can do through you.

Additionally, God has appointed some to have specialized ministry callings found in the 5 fold ministry gifts in Ephesians.

Some are apostles, which are called to establish and oversee big things of God, some are prophets, which have a calling to hear from God and relay what they're hearing to the Body, some are teachers, which are meant to help express doctrine in simple terms to the Body, some are pastors, which are meant to shepherd and encourage the flock, some are evangelists, which are meant to increase the Body by preaching the gospel.

Please note that everyone can function in all of these callings on a smaller measure personally in their lives, too. For example, when a couple begin to raise kids, God will give them a measure of pastoral gifting to facilitate the raising of their children. Additionally, everyone can hear from God, so Christians, in general, are prophetic people.

It's just that the 5 fold ministry giftings do have specialized purposes for God's big plan in the Body.

Also, some may have a singular calling from out of the 5 fold, so they may be a teacher specifically within a congregation. And some are called to do all 5 in one measure or another.

The best way to know which God has put into you is to draw near to Him and begin walking out the ministry that He has put on your heart.

Also know that many of these ministry giftings He can put into you at any time He sees fit. When you draw near to Him, He will decide when and if to place them within you.

One last note: The 5 fold ministry callings also require intensive training and preparation that God will put one through, or take someone who has gone through great trials which have transformed their character in powerful ways, so God will take the difficulties and make them for good by putting that person into ministry which suits the challenges they've faced.

 

[k.eliza91]

Thank you AGTG, for your reply. It's really helpful.

Do you think God can call you to be a writer? Out of everything in my life, that's the one thing I feel most passionate about. Before, I was just writing stories that you can find anywhere. But after coming to Christ, I feel like I need to write stories that glorifies Him, and reach people through that so they might also come to Christ, or get closer. Not just put out the secular drama that's in the world today.

 

[1watchman]

Some good thoughts here; and as to your writing, I knew a dear elderly sister in the Lord (now with the Lord) who wrote beautiful poems that inspired many. We all need to be uplifted often.

 

[AGTG]

Thank you AGTG, for your reply. It's really helpful.

Do you think God can call you to be a writer? Out of everything in my life, that's the one thing I feel most passionate about. Before, I was just writing stories that you can find anywhere. But after coming to Christ, I feel like I need to write stories that glorifies Him, and reach people through that so they might also come to Christ, or get closer. Not just put out the secular drama that's in the world today.

Absolutely, God will use the talents you have and glorify Himself through you. The Kingdom of God needs more writers,fiction especially. My wife is running out of Christian fiction to read.

 

[k.eliza91]

Absolutely, God will use the talents you have and glorify Himself through you. The Kingdom of God needs more writers,fiction especially. My wife is running out of Christian fiction to read.

 

[Johnnz]

Our overall calling is to grow in Christ. As we respond to him He will work to bring us into that in whatever way and in whatever circumstances He can.

John
NZ

 

[ViaCrucis]

Is it true that God gives you a purpose for your talent(s)? That if you have a talent, it should be used to glorify Him? How do you know what your purpose in life is?....Is it the passion you have, and what if that passion changes? I've had a view different passions as my life changed, how am I suppose to find out what my calling is?

I'm just tying to learn, so please no negative comments! I'm still very new to all of this.

There is a lot floating around that would say that each and every person is supposed to be big and important (from a typically American and/or Western perspective of success). But when we read the Gospels the Lord says, concerning the reign of God, "The greatest among you will be your servant" and also "the last shall be first". Christ makes known to us a different kind of greatness, the greatness of humility, of lowliness, of service.

I have no idea if there is a "grand plan" for each and every person. I don't particularly care much for fatalistic/deterministic viewpoints. Instead I believe that in whatever place we find ourselves we can do something great. That something might be working your hardest selling shoes at the mall, it might be in being a loving, supportive, self-sacrificing husband, or being a nurturing and loving mother. It might be in being called to pastor, or it might be in telling your friend that you love them when life is doing all it can to work against them. Greatness in God's kingdom is defined not by our own greatness, but by taking up our crosses and being present for others.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Architeuthus]

God may not call you because of the talents you have.

Then again, God gives you talents so that you can use them for something.

Your talents and purpose (direction) may change several times over the years as He molds you into the person He can use.

True.

Do you think God can call you to be a writer? Out of everything in my life, that's the one thing I feel most passionate about. Before, I was just writing stories that you can find anywhere.

Sure, and there's a few Christian writers out there. It's not an easy thing to do, and even as a Christian the main thing is to write good stories that people want to read (there's some very mediocre Christian fiction out there, sadly). C. S. Lewis is an example of what a Christian author should be. In more recent times (for the YA market), there's N. D. Wilson.

 

[visionary]

Everything you do, do to the Glory of God. Honor Him. Trust Him. Seek Him, Serve Him and you will be doing your calling every moment of your life. It is a big adventure and there is no end to the variety of things that the Lord will bring you through, teach you, strengthen you, and support you on. Do not think that you will receive only one talent, or one event to participate in, witness to, or help with. Everyday is a new day full of adventures with Him. Be Him to the world and praise Him for the opportunities. Pray without ceasing in all conversations, situations, and you will see your opportunities to fulfill the calling in that moment.

 

[insurchoftruth]

It is possible that God will give you a desire for a certain service in the church. For example, if God has called you to preach or teach the Word of God, then you will have a desire to do that, just for the sake of it, regardless of what you get, as you do it. So you will be willing to teach the Word of God, even if you do not receive any silary as a preacher. You just want to do it for the sake of it.

 

[Emmy]

Dear K.eliza91. You had some encouraging replies, here is one more. In Matthew 22: 35-40: Jesus tells us:
" The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
The second is like it: love thy neighbour as thyself." In verse 40, we are told: " on these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God is Love and God wants loving sons and daughters. In Matthew 7: 7-10: we are told:
" ask and you shall receive," we ask God for Love and Joy, then thank God, and share all Love and Joy with our neighbour. ( neighbour is: all we know and all we meet, friends and not friends) Keep asking for Love and Joy, then thank God and share all Love and Joy with our neighbour. God will see your loving efforts, and God will guide you to find your calling.
The Bible tells us to " Repent and be Born Again," to change from being selfish and unloving to be loving and caring, and always friendly. Keep asking for love and joy, then thank God and share all Love and Joy with your neighbour.
The Holy Spirit will help and guide you, and Jesus our Saviour will lead you all the way: JESUS IS THE WAY.
Show God your Love and Compassion, and God will help you find your calling. I say this with love, K.eliza.
Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ..

 

[WillowWhisp]

It might be as simple as trial and error... I am still trying to find my career - I have a degree which I did not use and is useless which was a horrible feeling. Then I went into retail which I was over qualified for and hated and didn't help anyone or have a 'higher cause', now I'm working as a receptionist. But even though being a receptionist isn't what I want to do forever (at least I know what I don't want to do - that's a start if you know what you don't want to do!) I work in a clinic where a councillor works and the thought popped into my head, I want to do that some day! At church the same thing happened. Even if its years of doing something you don't enjoy - when an idea finally does come along those unenjoyable experiences can build you up and make you realise what you should be doing... for me retail was so wrong and compared with that, yes counselling people seems right. I know it's really easy to say for others not in your situation especially when you're stuck in a situation you don't know what to do that can sound unhelpful. What if you write some ideas down and then as you go about your day to day experiences, I'm pretty sure some of those will be crossed off as you realise they're nor right for you. You will be left with one or two or a few things that do seem like the right fit. What are your skills and enjoyments? I am crafty and make things for my friends. If you bake you could make cakes to raise funds for church causes or a cause of your own. Maybe you can use what you enjoy or what you are good at to help other Christians by making them things to cheer them up when they are grieving...

I hope this post hasn't been completely unhelpful. Good luck, I hope you find your calling.

 

[GracetotheHumble]

Is it true that God gives you a purpose for your talent(s)? That if you have a talent, it should be used to glorify Him? How do you know what your purpose in life is?....Is it the passion you have, and what if that passion changes? I've had a view different passions as my life changed, how am I suppose to find out what my calling is?

I'm just tying to learn, so please no negative comments! I'm still very new to all of this.

As Christians we are called to love others so that is your calling. Remember what Christ said to his sheep in Matthew 25:31-46? I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and in prison and you visited me. That is your calling.

 

[Arcangl86]

Two things that have already been mentioned but I think are worth repeating. Your vocation is not necessarily something big or exceptional. God can be calling you to any number of things. Second, vocation can and often does change. Now I mean this in both the sense that you might have different roles to fill in life as time progresses, but also in different context. For example in the same point in time you might have vocations to be a cobbler, a loving devoted spouse, and a teacher and guide to your children. These are all part of your vocation, and you are called to do your best to fulfill all aspects of it, with the help of God of course.