Have you ever been in such a place where you have so much on the inside of you and you don’t know where to start? Not only that, but it’s a God given vision and you feel so inadequate trying to figure it out? You can master your calling in 3 simply steps that will help guide you to where you want to be.

Right, Me too…  I’ve been right where you are. And, the fact of the matter is, I’m still clueless about many of my next moves, which has left me downright frustrated. I’ve even wondered if God commissioned me or was I trying to fulfill a calling out of my own wit. It’s one of the most overwhelming feelings in the world. 

And, my vision became even more convoluted when I asked God about the direction He wanted me to go in. Or, if He had given me the commission in the first place. 

Yup. That’s me. And still is at times. 

Nonetheless, you have to work through the process of knowing you have been commissioned to save lives at some capacity. And that doesn’t always mean standing behind a pulpit spewing out fire and brimstones. On the other hand, it does mean that people are waiting to hear your story. 

Yes, you have a story to tell. And those stories are going to save lives. People don’t mind struggling if they can learn how to get through some of the pain they’re going through. But, it’s even more comforting to know that someone else has gone through it too. 

Besides, what if you don’t know what your calling is? Or, if you aren’t sure you have one? This is where most people bottle-neck because they want their calling to fit like someone else’s. When I say fit, keep in mind what it should look and feel like on us.

For example, it’s tempting to treat callings like a perfect pair of jeans we shopping for. We try them on in the fitting room turning from side-to-side to make sure they fit perfectly according to what our eyes see and how they make us feel. [Perception has a lot to do with our approval of things. I won’t get started on that because that’ll be a whole new blog post.]

We continue the process of trying on the jeans until we eventually find a pair that fits us exactly right. It’s the same way we treat our calling. If we don’t like it or know what it is, we treat it like an “oh well!” 

Think about a job… we hop from company to company, job to job, project to project, searching for the one that will finally show and give us the feeling we’ve been looking for once and for all. 

So is it okay for me to say that our calling is intentional?

For this purpose, you can’t compare your calling with anything natural. It’s a mandate. That’s a pretty strong word, right? But, it’s true. God has given you a commission or a mandate that you just won’t be able to turn down. And He doesn’t leave you alone until you get it done. This commission can’t be shut out of your mind or scratched off a list. You literally have to do something in order for it to come to pass. 

As a retired educator, my goal was simply to settle down and blog. Yes, that’s it. I wanted to spend all of my days writing until my heart was simply content. The writing wasn’t particularly for anyone. It was my healing and it saved my life. I was enthralled with writing down my thoughts, fears and the things that were discombobulated in my mind at times. After every blog, no matter what it was, I felt a release of mind and was given clarity about my next moves and projects. 

I’m not saying I wanted to do everything I felt a release about. But I knew that writing brought me the clarity and being focused was what I needed. 

Most importantly, the blogging was for me. If someone decided to read my blog, it was going to be amazing because it was going to truly speak to the core of what that individual is going through. However, if not, it was going to be okay with me. Again, it was simply to create a way for me to become more familiar with my headspace or to vent. 

Today, thousands upon thousands of individuals are seeking my blog for refuge wee hours of the morning. Simply put, they’re like me. Working through a commission or mandate that has been given them but yet they are confused about their next steps. 

On the contrary, they could merely be seeking words to soothe the inner soul that’s in turmoil about life’s challenges. Either way. It’s a familiar path I’ve taken on both sides of my calling. 

So, if you have no idea what your calling is, there’s good news. Give yourself permission to stop searching so hard. I’m not saying give up on the possibility of never knowing your purpose and possibly your career. I’m just saying the wee hours of the morning and pondering over if it’s your calling or not should just cease.

Because you’re unlikely to find your calling by looking for it, but let me share with you some things I did to help you find the direction you need to go in while discovering your calling. 

Follow your frustration. 

What drives you crazy and what do you yearn to transform? Is it the problems you seem to solve for other people? Or, what problems do you see that vividly frustrate you? Get comfortable with the frustration. It doesn’t mean that you don’t want to fulfill your calling. You’re just in a difficult season of figuring it out. Relax. The manifestation of your calling will happen in due time. [Guess what? I have to continually remind myself to take my own advice.]  Stay curious about your calling and follow that quiet voice. Don’t be surprised when that calling pops up somewhere along the way. 

Stay open to what could be. 

Callings are funny things and can be frustrating, especially if you’re wanting to do it the right way. It’s not unnatural to want to know your calling. We seek it because it gives us a sense of belonging in times of uncertainty. We also desire to know why we’re here and what our lives are supposed to be all about. But sometimes we start down a path just to get rid of the agony of limbo. [You know that feeling too?] I don’t know of anybody’s calling that has shown up fully formed, complete with an actionable plan with a due date.

Callings come to us in hints and a steep of possibilities and uncertainties. We just have to grapple through them. Remember, when the possibility presents itself, don’t rush into an action right away. [In other words, don’t buy the first pair of jeans you put on]. Consider the long wear… Is the calling God’s will and how will it impact the divine work you’ve been set apart to do.  Stay open. Let it simmer long enough so you’ll know your next moves.

Do more of what brings you joy. 

Joy is a powerful, illuminating, transformative emotion. Whatever brings you joy, do more of it. Find opportunities to cultivate joy at work, at home, in your entire life. Take time to listen to your own headspace. You’ll find that people will always find a reason to talk to you and at you about their problems or happy moments. But, won’t consider your moments of triumphant and despair. The bible speaks about a merry heart. Proverbs 17:22: A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, But a broken spirit dries up the bones. So, whenever you take the time and experience joy, expect your calling to show up, too.

In conclusion, as you contemplate these ideas, I encourage you to remember that callings don’t only show up in our careers. They are a part of life’s journey. Commissioned by God. If you feel called to write novels, speak of platforms or create and share the most powerful prayers that God gives you. Do it. That will earn you the greatest, worthwhile living above anything.

Hard work is just one part of your life. And having a day job doesn’t make you a failure. Your time will come. 

The greatest tragedy would be not following your calling at all… because you never know where it might lead you.