~ What is your Calling? ~

[CoolDude68]

Do you know what your calling in life is? How do you know?

If you have no idea, what are the steps you're taking to understand?

I'm listening to a good audio book at the moment that teaches us how to listen to God so we can do His will. I find myself very novice in this area but hopefully the book will help. I don't know "how" to listen sometimes. It's not like God texts me, or leaves me a message on my phone.

How do we know our calling?

 

[“Paisios”]

Do you know what your calling in life is? How do you know?

If you have no idea, what are the steps you're taking to understand?

I'm listening to a good audio book at the moment that teaches us how to listen to God so we can do His will. I find myself very novice in this area but hopefully the book will help. I don't know "how" to listen sometimes. It's not like God texts me, or leaves me a message on my phone.

How do we know our calling?

Matthew 22:36-40

All else is secondary to that, so it seems my calling is to whatever I do to God's glory, in love for Him and my neighbor. In a more pragmatic manner, I believe that God has given me talents and interests that can be used to do His will, and I pray and seek counsel from experienced Christians who I see as wise, and search Scripture, to make life decisions. Also, because I am married, all life decisions are discussed with my wife, so that we can come to a mutual understanding...after all, we are "one flesh".

(Edited to add: To what audiobook are you referring?)

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Hard to know. It might take God many years to prepare each for their calling. And then that calling, or 'personal ministry' might not be what you envisioned at all, so you might be where God wants you but are still waiting for your 'calling' to be revealed. It can be very confusing.

 

[Eryk]

I work full time at a church and this will be the most meaningful work in my whole life. I know good people who are salt and light in their jobs out in the world, so there's nothing "more Christian" in being on church staff. But I love serving the church and I feel really blessed.

 

[SkyWriting]

Do you know what your calling in life is? How do you know?How do we know our calling?

Awesome question!

Please take my response seriously.
Answered Prayer - Steps 1, 2, & 3

 

[dgiharris]

Do you know what your calling in life is? How do you know?

If you have no idea, what are the steps you're taking to understand?

I'm listening to a good audio book at the moment that teaches us how to listen to God so we can do His will. I find myself very novice in this area but hopefully the book will help. I don't know "how" to listen sometimes. It's not like God texts me, or leaves me a message on my phone.

How do we know our calling?

I find the question somewhat problematic. I feel too often in the West, we put too much of an emphasis on us being "special". Everyone is special, everyone is this unique special snowflake handcrafted by god to do special things...

Thus, we start to regard our lives like some fairytale movie and now enter this question of "what is your calling"?

That sounds very special. That sounds as if the clouds are going to part, a sunbeam is going to strike a field, and in that field will be a glowing tablet telling you what your calling is...

I think it is better to tone down the expectation and also increase understanding about what life is. In a nutshell, your "calling" should be a mix of "What you are good at, what you like, and what you care about" and all of that should be balanced against "What you want out of life".

For instance, if you love being a musician then you don't want to be a helicopter pilot because that will destroy your ability to hear and discern different pitches and cords.

If you want to have a stable family and some kids then you probably shouldn't take a job that requires you to travel 4 days per week.

Yes, I believe god has a plan for us, but at the same time, I believe that he gave us free will for a reason and he is not going to tell us that plan via a burning bush.

So where does that leave us?

Simple. It is on us. And I propose that your "Calling" is a balance between what you want out of life, and what you are good at and things you like doing.

 

[Hammster]

Do you know what your calling in life is? How do you know?

If you have no idea, what are the steps you're taking to understand?

I'm listening to a good audio book at the moment that teaches us how to listen to God so we can do His will. I find myself very novice in this area but hopefully the book will help. I don't know "how" to listen sometimes. It's not like God texts me, or leaves me a message on my phone.

How do we know our calling?

What do you want to do?

 

[CoolDude68]

What I want out of life might not be His will for me. Does that make sense? I though that what WE want in life is somewhat a selfish mindset. I don't know, I'm asking. But I do see your point.

My original post was meant to understand how to find our calling and I don't see how that would be a negative thing. God knows past, present and future so don't you think He has a plan for every single person and expects us to come to know Him in order for us to follow His direction?

 

[CoolDude68]

What do you want to do?

I like photography. I'd love to do photography full-time but I can't support my family that way. So I settle for a paycheck doing something that's not my passion but it's where I'm at. Did God put me here? I don't know. This is the basis of my original post...to understand it better.

 

[Hammster]

I like photography. I'd love to do photography full-time but I can't support my family that way. So I settle for a paycheck doing something that's not my passion but it's where I'm at. Did God put me here? I don't know. This is the basis of my original post...to understand it better.

How is your spiritual life?

 

[CoolDude68]

How is your spiritual life?

It's a lifetime process, one that I feel I am getting better with and I am working on "listening" more.

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[mozo41]

to return ... why else would my Father call for me

 

[woobadooba]

We all have talents. Use your talent to the glory of God. The more you use your talent to His glory, the more influential it will be in spreading good.

Don't bury your talent; it's not meant to lie in the dirt. Let it shine before men, that they may see your good works and glory our Father in heaven (Matt. 5:14-16; 25:14-30).

Your talent isn't there to make you rich and famous, but generous. Share it. It's more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[Hidden In Him]

What I want out of life might not be His will for me. Does that make sense? I though that what WE want in life is somewhat a selfish mindset. I don't know, I'm asking. But I do see your point.

My original post was meant to understand how to find our calling and I don't see what that would be a negative thing. God knows past, present and future so don't you think He has a plan for every single person and expects us to come to know Him in order for us to follow His direction?

I think your two posts previous to this one were on the right track. You need to follow your interests and eventually you will discover your ultimate purposes in Him. But here's the thing. To find your spiritual calling you need to follow your spiritual interests primarily (prophecy, gifts, helps ministry, teaching, preaching, deliverance, healing, etc). Nothing wrong with photography, and maybe that will play into your particular call in some way eventually. But keep pursuing your spiritual interests especially.

Also, just because you may not make a living at what your spiritual interests direct you to does not mean it is not your calling. I have been following my calling for decades and will be doing so for the rest of my life, yet I'll probably never make a dime from it. I work to make a living, but the rest of my life is devoted in service to the Lord.

So keep pursuing your spiritual interests first and foremost, regardless of whether there appears to be a living in it or not. And as @OldWiseGuy shared, what we are ultimately created for may take many years or even decades to fully discover. It's just part of the process of "filling out" into discovering everything you were created to be.

Lastly, keep in mind also that the church is in many respects NOT where she is supposed to be either, and this makes things harder to figure out with regard to your specific calling and purpose. You could be called to operate in very strong supernatural gifts, but without tutors on the subject, and without those around you in a church who would allow you to flow in what you were created to function in, how will you be able to? As he stated, things are not as simple in our day and age as they should be.

But keep seeking God. Eventually you will know for certain and be able to walk in it to the very best of your ability, regardless of the circumstances you might be surrounded by.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I knew of my calling, so what happened after that? Began to carry my KJV Bible at my public school. Placed it right on top of other books, as it was the most important one. Wanted people there to see that I was carrying it in the hallways or such, as this Book matters. Read and read it at my high school.

Ha! I did the same thing in college. I definitely got some looks, but that didn't bother me in the least. I really should have just gone to seminary at that point, cuz studying history and other courses was NOT where my head was at most of the time, LoL.

 

[Hammster]

It's a lifetime process, one that I feel I am getting better with and I am working on "listening" more.

I don't know how much time you spend in the word or in prayer, but if it's not a lot, I'd encourage you to change that. That's the primary way God communicates with us. And as you draw closer, He will be more satisfying. Plus, according to Romans 12, renewing our minds leads to knowing His will.

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[CoolDude68]

When God Almighty speaks to me, it takes over my whole being. There is no doubt that it is Him. He has warned me of danger several times.
examples - a sliding glass door was soon broken, but had me leave the room first
=
a car coming off of the road to a sidewalk
Was walking down it, when all of a sudden God told me my first name...stop. Asked Him- Why God, it doesn't look like rain. But I did stop and within moments saw the front passenger side wheel go over the curb just a bit in front of me

riding on a kid's scooter down a sidewalk - Heard my first name, slow down. Asked God, why, as this is where I like to go really fast. Did not want any watching to think that I was scared to go that fast. Slow down. Did - and just a bit ahead of me jumped over the sidewalk - a female deer. She was gorgeous!
=

Was selling an old computer, intending to use money from that to help
purchase my new one. God told me as the lady was on her way over that I was to lower the price by 100 dollars. Again, heard my first name ahead of the message. Talked with God Almighty about it, as to the price is fair. Lower it 100 dollars. So, I did. She arrived to pick it up and was shocked. A few days or so later, when went to get my new one at Best Buy. Was up at the register with it, when a guy comes hollering and hurrying from the back of the store. He is yelling - wait, wait. He gets up there and said that the manager told him to lower the price by 100 dollars.
That turned into a time of witnessing inside of Best Buy.
The time of the car going toward the sidewalk did too. People had seen it happen and we ended up -that I led them in prayer right out there as to thanking God for protecting all of us.

These are incredible stories. May I ask how you "hear" Him? Is it more like in spirit sense, audible or what? I'm curious.