Have you ever wondered what you were created to do?
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, “For we are all God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
But you can miss your calling if you’re hung up on the ‘how-tos’ and the opinions of others.
God will rarely use a megaphone to declare your purpose to the world, nor will we be likely to have a burning bush moment like Moses.
But, we can glean direction from the life of many of God’s people, and just like these mighty men, your calling could be revealed in one of these 3 ways.
Number 1: Joshua
Joshua was POSITIONED.
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 would 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.
Purpose is never revealed in isolation. God is not interested in rogue agents. He expects you to grow and develop AND be accountable.
So if you are resistant to leadership over you, if you struggle with a spirit of rebellion, it’s time to submit–first to God, then to the people He places in your life. They could be God’s Moses for you.
Number 2: Moses
Moses was PRODDED.
I think we can all agree that Moses had an incredible calling from God.
The purpose of delivering God’s people from slavery and take them into the promised land is an awe-inspiring goal. Yet, it’s not one Moses ever prayed for.
Nor did he feel equipped to fulfill the call. And HE had the burning bush moment that we all long for.
Fulfilling God’s purpose is not about US. It’s not about your desires, your platform, or YOUR image. It’s about God.
And when you step back and put yourself in Moses’ shoes, you strip away the ego, the grandiosity, the victim mentality, the entitlement, and you start to see God for who He truly is–NOT your genie in a bottle, but the all-powerful, all-knowing, sovereign God of the Universe.
The God who created us for HIS purpose, not ours.
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).
Number 3: Paul
Paul was PULLED.
Paul was pulled away from his life of arrogance and ignorance and placed into God’s perfect will.
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.
You may be saying, YES, that’s what I need–I need to be pulled! If God pulled me, then I would know and go.
Let’s be honest—you probably wouldn’t. Plus, that’s not a predictable pattern of God’s in the Bible.
What is predictable is His still small voice–His desire for you to grow in relationship with Him. His command to remain humble and obedient. NOT for you to go about your life in complete ignorance waiting for God to clunk you over the head, thinking that if He doesn’t, you must be on the right track.
So, if you’re 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, there is one thing that you are going to need: persistence.
Your purpose in life is not a one and done. It’s not even a destination. It is a glorious journey that will require perseverance and persistence.
Don’t wait for motivation to fall on you like some weighted blanket to make you comfortable. Pray, and keep praying. Ask, and keep asking. Knock, and keep knocking.
And I pray my friend that you will persist until you hear those wonderful words: “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
You may be thinking, why isn’t God positioning, prodding, or pulling me? To understand why you’re not fulfilling God’s purpose for your life, check out this video.
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.
Join us for a FREE 5 Day Created with Purpose Devotional https://krisreece.com/CreateWithPurpose
