Presented by Lisa Bishop

Before we dive in let me tell you that the idea of discerning calling has been a journey for me. The topic of calling can be confusing and sometimes frustrating as we try to figure out how God is leading us. While I do not have all the answers, I hope to give you food for thought that fuels you to find time to spend with the Lord who will give you guidance and clarity on your calling as you seek him. As a working definition of calling, I want to look at what John Maxwell has to say.

“Calling is God’s personal invitation (for me) to work on His agenda, using the talents I (you) have been given in ways that are eternally significant.”

I love that reminder of truth. As followers of Jesus, when we live out our calling, we ultimately do so to glorify God. We steward the gifts and talents he has uniquely gifted us. When we think about calling it can be so easy to think it is about us but it’s not. Now, I do believe God wants us to experience fulfillment in the things he has for us to do, but that is not the end goal.

And as we think about calling it is so much more than just a job or career path. Ultimately whatever we do and the way we live is meant to serve God's purpose. God calls us to serve and contribute our giftings in a way that is consistent with how he created us. Discerning our calling is about learning how God has designed us to glorify him, serve his purposes, and serve others.

We will focus on the career aspect of our calling, but before we do that, we must be absolutely clear that our first calling as followers of Jesus is to a relationship with him. If we do not grasp that our highest calling is to live in vibrant, continual communion with God through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and to be an ambassador of Christ no matter where he places us, then we miss the point. Our specific callings cannot be properly engaged apart from a deep relationship with Jesus. Only out of our relationship with him does our subsequent calling, the work God has created us to do, come.

Everything begins and ends with the vitality of our walk with Jesus and listening to the Holy Spirit. If we do not have a consistent rhythm of spending time in Scripture, on our knees in prayer, drawing near and pressing our ear to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, we will have little confidence that our thoughts and our walk will be in alignment with him. It is essential we cultivate true abiding with Jesus if we want a chance of discerning his voice from our own when making career and calling decisions.

We do not want to make a move without a move of the Holy Spirit, and we simply cannot take shortcuts by cutting God out of the picture and not intentionally taking the time to seek him. As we wrestle with calling, it may require fasting or even taking some time to get out of the hustle and bustle of life and into a remote location. Take time to journal, pray, listen, and respond.

Renewing your mind in the Word will be crucial to discerning your calling. Hearing God’s call requires posturing yourself to hear his voice.

And let me say this, our identity is to be found in our relationship with Christ, not in the work God calls us to or our job title.

I read a quote the other day that said, “You are not here to make a living….You are here to enrich the world” (Woodrow Wilson).

God created us to work, it's a blessing, not a curse. Our work can have eternal purpose, and our lives can have fullness and meaning through the work God calls us to.

Something to note, your calling does not necessarily have to be the way you make money. It may be. But you also may be called to serve your community or church, raise kids, or care for aging parents. Whether we use our gifts to serve in the workplace, our homes, or communities, as Colossians 3:23 says, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters….

As it relates to our careers and calling in the...