Answer the Call!

Are you being called to do something very specific with your life, but you’re not sure what that is? This month, we’re focusing our conversations on our calling – and we all have one!

I’ve been asked by many young women, How do you determine your calling, and how do you know if it’s from God? I believe knowing and understanding your calling begins with your faith walk.

Our Primary Calling

First, I want you to know that your primary calling is to share the good news, as in Mark 16:15 when Jesus told the disciples, “Go out into the world and share the good news with all of creation.”

Your first step? Seek God and follow His lead just like Esther, Deborah, and Abigail. Women leaders who served the Lord regardless of their circumstances, fears, or feelings. God calls all of us to serve, and when we keep our eyes focused on Him, it’s much easier to discern our calling. If we are not focused on God, how can we recognize what He has appointed us to do? 

When God Speaks!

Most of the time, we’re so busy with life that we forget to schedule time with God. Prioritizing time to pray and meditate on His Word allows us to strengthen our Spiritual muscles. If we’re not spending time with God, how will we know who is leading us? As for me, I want to make sure I hear God when He speaks to me. I don’t want to miss a thing He has planned for me!

Have you experienced a time in your life when you were sure you heard God speak to you or knew He was moving you forward?

Esther, Deborah, and Abigail were women leaders who were successful because they simply obeyed God. They heard Him and complied. They were not seeking followers, status, or notability. They just did the right thing. You could also say they were at the right time and the right place because they followed God’s calling, and He led them. It’s His timing, not our timing or planning or operating. When I share these thoughts with the women I mentor, we are filled with excitement. It’s exciting to know that God has plans for us, and if we follow His lead, He will use us at just the right time. And, who doesn’t love a surprise?

Waiting on God

Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of waiting on God. The numerous times I’ve tried to make things happen in my own power never turned out well for me. Like the time I felt God calling me to serve on a particular committee. I thought the volunteer position was a great fit. My gifts and skills were utilized, and I believed in the mission of the organization. I was enjoying my new role, and then the discord began. There was a lot of discord, and I quickly realized that my values didn’t align with the organization’s.

Trust me, it’s much easier to say no, thank you, than to say yes and later realize that your hasty agreement should have been a no! You would think I’d learn my lesson, but I tend to get caught up in the excitement of a new opportunity. In this particular situation, I prayed through my dilemma, I knew I needed to resign from the volunteer position, and I followed through with the decision. If I had prayed before making the commitment, I would have saved myself and others a lot of grief!

When I seek God and remain faithful, I find fulfillment and success because He equips me. Operating in His power gives me strength. It will take courage and confidence to move forward when you are called. I’m not always as brave or self-assured as I would like to be, but I place my trust in Him, fully confident that He will equip me, and this assuredness fills me with peace. And that’s when you know the call is from God!

Walking Out Your Calling

You see, when you are operating within your talents and gifts, walking out your calling, you are living a purposeful life.

I’ll be honest, it hasn’t been that easy for me. I spent several years trying to figure out what I was called to do. Looking back, I realize all I needed to do was be still and seek God, but I let the opinions and actions of others distract me, which only confused me more. For example, I am excellent at event planning, but I’ve reached a point where I’m ready to shut down from overdoing it. It becomes a never-ending to-do list that loses its sparkle, and once the sparkle is lost, it becomes monotonous, and I do not thrive in monotonous situations. I love to build and create. Ask me to mentor or assist young women with leadership or career advice, and I’m all in!

Why? Ministering to others through my gifts of leadership, administration, and giving motivates me. I am where God has called me, and this brings me lots of joy!

The Pressure to Please

I’m always saddened when I hear of the pressure young women feel to enter a particular profession, attend a specific school, or ____________ (you fill in the blank). When young women prioritize family and friends’ demands over their true passion or calling, they often become uncertain about their future and purpose. I believe this is why many young women are hesitant to begin, or worse, suffer from burnout due to the pressure to meet expectations or perform based on someone else’s standards. Living life to please others doesn’t truly fulfill one’s own intention or purpose.

Embrace Your Calling

How do you avoid this? Pursue God. When you are pursuing God, you’ll be content in your work, and your work will bring you happiness. Living with purpose is fulfilling and allows you to unleash your potential.

Today, I encourage you to embrace your calling. If you are unsure of what that actually looks like, take some time to reflect on Scripture and spend time in prayer. Ask yourself if there is anything holding you back from embracing your calling. Whether it’s pressure or a lack of confidence, take a closer look and uncover your fears.

So, I ask you, what do you need to do today to start living a life of intention?

It’s my prayer that through reflection and refinement, you will experience life in the fullness of Christ.

Answer the call!

Image Credit by Parinaz Wadia Illustrations & Designs