I certainly have. I spent many years of my life raising a family, running a business, and otherwise enjoying life, but there always felt like there was something missing. I often pondered the possibilities of what God created me for—sometimes impatiently, I admit. Yet all that wondering didn’t bring me any closer to grasping my calling, and it kept me from being receptive enough to understand how God was with me at every step of the way, leading me to my purpose.
I believe it is the cry of a Christian’s heart to fulfill that special calling God has placed on their life. However, many make the mistake in believing that God will clunk them over the head, use a megaphone, or provide a magical ‘burning bush’ experience to reveal their purpose. We wait, we wonder, and we get frustrated, but we don’t observe and listen.
Rarely does our life calling come pre-packaged with a list of ingredients and instructions on how to execute it. Rather, the discovery of our purpose is meant to be a journey; a journey of discovery.
And since our personalities and experiences are all unique, how God reveals our purpose will be unique as well.
Just like people in the Bible, I have found that there are
3 ways in which God calls you into your purpose:
Positioning: Joshua
Moses was the chosen leader of the people of Israel and for years Joshua was his faithful servant. After the death of Moses, Joshua was called to continue in Moses’ mission. Despite his fear, Joshua was not commanded to ‘be’ Moses, but rather to follow in his footsteps. The Lord spoke to Joshua clearly, appointing him to be the one who will lead the Israelites into the promised land. He was commanded “to be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Under Moses’ leadership, Joshua was positioned perfectly to fulfill his purpose. If you are wondering when your time will come, perhaps it would help to remember that the leader you’re serving may be who God uses to position you to step into your calling.
Prodding: Moses
Moses had an incredible calling: to deliver God’s people from slavery and take them into the promised land. Yet he felt unfit to fulfilling the calling—even though he had the proverbial ‘burning bush’ moment.
Moses resisted God’s call with retorts like, “I’m not an eloquent speaker” (Exodus 4:10) and, “there has to be someone else you could send” (Exodus 4:13).Yet even though Moses felt ill equipped—and in many ways, he was—with God at the helm, all things are possible. After some prodding, Moses conceded to his call.
Is God trying to convince you of your call? You would do well to have a few people in your life who can encourage you to step out in what you believe God is calling you to do. After all, iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).
Pulling: Paul
Few people have a stronger personality than the Apostle Paul. Prior to his conversion, Paul (then Saul) was committed to what he thought was his purpose of persecuting Christians. He was steadfast and determined, but God had a different plan.On the road to Damascus, Paul was pulled into his new calling through an encounter with the Lord Jesus. Thankfully Paul responded to that pull with vigor.
Are you the strong-willed type that God needs to strike down to get his call across? You would do well to remain humble and yielded to God’s plan as you confidently move forward in what you know to do.
Whether our Lord positions, prods, or pulls you into your purpose, I pray you persist until you reach that calling that glorifies Him so awesomely.
For we are all God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. — Ephesians 2:10
Are you ready to claim your calling in Christ? Kris’ new book Make it Matter: A Roadmap for Living a Life of Purpose, can help you to find and fulfill your God given purpose.
