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What does it mean to walk in your calling? Many Christians want to discover God’s purpose for their lives, but discovering your calling is only the beginning. We must also learn to follow God faithfully in what He calls us to do.
Walking in your calling begins with knowing the One who calls you. It requires seeking God, listening to His direction, surrendering your plans, and obeying Him even when His path takes you outside your comfort zone.
So how can you recognize what keeps you from God’s purpose and begin walking faithfully in your calling?
A Story About Identity and Purpose
It happened somewhere in a village in Eastern Europe at the end of the 19th century—if I remember correctly it was in Russia. And that particular region was under a curfew. That means they forbid people to walk outside and leave the village or enter it after sunset.
However, a Jewish Rabbi together with a small Jewish community lived in that village. And the Rabbi was very concerned back then with the crucial questions of life as what is the meaning and purpose of his life.
One day he was meditating deeply on his life and the questions in his heart and he forgot about the curfew. Without realising he stepped out of the village and was walking in the forest. Suddenly he heard the loud voice of a soldier telling him to stop. And the Rabbi stopped. Next, the soldier asked the Rabbi: who are you? The Rabbi looked straight in the eyes of the soldier and could not answer. So the soldier asked the Rabbi one more time who he was but this time he also threatens him with his rifle.
After a couple of seconds that seemed like an eternity, the Rabbi answered: I like your question. I want to make a deal with you. I want you to ask me every day the same question, and if you do that, I will pay you.
Walking in Your Calling Begins With God
Perhaps there is nothing more miserable than living without a purpose in life and without knowing who you are. I know I had to wrestle with these questions of what is God’s plan for my life and why am I living. I began having these questions before and after I became a believer. I began asking myself what was God’s purpose for creating me and allowing me to be born. I had no answer, but I knew God had all the answers. God is my Father and my Creator, I told myself, so He certainly has a calling for me. By the way, if you want to walk in your calling you need to go to God for guidance!
He is the only One who can help you walk in your calling. Your calling is from God and is towards God! Therefore, I want to encourage you to seek God’s Face about your calling.
What Keeps You From Walking in Your Calling?
I believe many people do not know why they are living and what is God’s calling for them because they never really sought God for the answer. Perhaps all they did was to pray sporadically now and then.
Hebrews 11:6 (TLV)
Now without faith it is impossible to please God. For the one who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
our calling cannot be separated from the God who called you. If you want to understand your calling, begin with God—not with your dreams, career, personality, or ambitions. Our heavenly Father knows everything about you and He has a mission for you as He had for Yeshua. And He wants you to fulfill it. Moreover, only when you walk in your calling, you will be fruitful and experience peace and joy deep down in your heart.
Other people know what God called them to do, but they don’t care—they are not interested in doing what God requires them to do. They want a different calling or any other calling but God’s. Or they want their Pastor’s calling or their friend’s calling or the calling of a TV preacher. They continually reject God’s plan by believing deep in their heart that God is wrong and His plan is not good for them.
Maybe they believe it is too hard what God calls them to do so they do many other things but God’s plan. Others love their life so much they cannot imagine God might want to move them out of their comfort zone—God wants me to be happy, they reason.
Ask the Right Questions About Your Calling
Another reason can be that they love the world and the pleasures of the world too much. They lack the desire of coming into a personal relationship with God through Yeshua. Many cannot follow God because of their sinful lifestyle—sin is too dear to their heart. Their focus and mind is not on God and His things.
Others know they are not perfect so they tell themselves God cannot use a person such as them. They believe they need to change more and become perfect before God can use them in His plans. Nothing is further from the truth. We are all imperfect and God has always worked with imperfect people like me and you. However, I believe our sin and sinful decisions can hinder us in our walk with God and calling. Make sure you walk in your calling and walk in the light.
Other people, because of their traumas and difficult life, don’t believe God is a good Father. They are even afraid to ask God about His plan for them as they expect God will treat them harshly. Unconsciously, they project the image of their earthly father on Father God.
Other people never heard that God has a plan for them. I hope this is not your case.
How to Walk in Your Calling
I believe many do not know God’s plan for them because they never asked themselves and God the right questions. I want to encourage you to ask yourself in a prayerful spirit the following questions: What would I like people to say about me when I’ll die? How will people remember me? What will they write on my tombstone? What would you like to say about your life after it’s too late to do anything about it? If you were to write a script for the tape to be played for the mourners at your funeral, how would you like it to read? How do you believe God would like you to be remembered?
What do I value the most? What does God value the most? How do you think God wants you to live on a day-to-day basis? What specifically would I need to learn during my life— spiritually, physically, financially, technically, intellectually—that will please God? What are the dreams God placed in your heart?
These questions and many more are worth asking. Spend time with God and write on a piece of paper the thoughts you have. Perhaps you will have to look over and over again at these questions during life. I recommend that you do so at least twice a year.
Walk in Your Calling With Obedience
I don’t know where you are in life. Maybe you feel that your life is purposeless and meaningless, but it does not have to be that way anymore. Together with God you can make a change and live for His glory and Kingdom.
Many people are involved in so many activities and have no time to ask the above questions. Or they are too busy on purpose because they are afraid to ask these questions. Regardless of where you are do yourself a favor and stop every day for ten minutes and start thinking about living for God. Make your life count.
And where ever God is leading you—be obedient. Surrender your life, plans and dreams and choose God’s will, just as Yeshua chose to be obedient to the Father and took His cross (Philippians 2:3-11 ).
You do not need to understand every detail of God’s plan before you obey Him. Start with what God has already shown you. Seek Him, surrender your plans, obey His Word, and take the next faithful step.
Walking in your calling is not primarily about building an impressive life. It is about faithfully living the life God has called you to live for His glory.
Understanding your calling is only the beginning. Your spiritual gifts, natural strengths, and passions can also provide important clues about how God has equipped you to serve. Learn more about how to discover your God-given calling through the gifts God has given you.
What is one step of obedience you believe God is asking you to take today?
Let me know if there is anything special going on in your life or if you want prayer! Share this post with your friends and don’t forget to leave a comment.
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I am a blogger, writer, pastor, Director of Zion Romania Bible School, husband to Olguta, a father and, most importantly, a child of God. I also completed my studies at the King’s University where I earned a B.A. in Theology with a concentration in Messianic Jewish Studies. I love Israel and I love the ‘Jewishness’ of the Bible.
[…] a difference in the lives of people around you. In my post I want to continue my ideas from the previous post. I want to share how you might have a clue about what God is calling for you. […]