Calling in life

[sport123]

How do you truly know your calling in life. Inside, you know you are meant for something, not just any career. But have no peace about anything. You pray and pray, next thing you know, many years have passed by and still restless. Could you be called to some kind of ministry, based on not being able to get the jobs you wanted or any job you would find fulfilment in. Why have these desires of certain things, if not allowed to do them. What cues does God use to direct you in such a chaotic world. This is something I've pray earnestly about for a long time.

[darski]

I am crowding 60 and I still ask this question.

I am a big fan of the "bloom where you are planted" school of thought. it seems to have been the plan from the beginning

I have said for most of my life that I am a jackie of all trades and a mistress of none. I am beginning to get it that that is exactly what God had in mind over all these years.

Similar (only just) to Paul, I can be all things to many different people.

I am not recommending this free for all existance for everyone but I do recommend the bloom where you are planted and give/bring glory to God in whatever you are doing.

I have not gotten it right most of the time but I believe that God has made use of my weakness and foolishness.

I don't think there is one true thing for us. Dr. James MacDonald calls it getting on The Dot. There is no dot, just skills, gifts talents and abilities that He can use in us.

BTW, Crown Ministries has a career/aptitude test that they talk about - it could be worth a look.

add link: http://www.crown.org/career-planning/

Edited November 13, 2006 by darski

[mrp1948]

There is no one right answer to your question but if you have secular talents or skills maybe you should try applying them in Christian ministry of soem kind. I struggled with this same issue for quite a while. As it turned out the 35 years of my life that I spent in acitve addiction and dysfunction and which was to me was a curse of the greatest magnitude has become the greatest blessing God could have granted. If there is truth to the saying "you never really know something unless you experience it yourself" than that would explain why God has put me in a ministry that allows me to help those who are now where I once was. God Bless you keep praying and asking. I would suggest a daily dose of Phillipians 4:6 and Isaiah 40:31.

[sport123]

[quieth3art]

This is very similar to the "leap of faith" forum so I've taken the liberty of copy and pasting my response there to here.

Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.

My own life appears to have been a mess if you look at it without that verse. I was saved at 19, but in looking back, I can see I was drifting far and wide. I was like the typical rebellious child who tests every rule her father sets. "Will you still love me if I do this?"

Now I know that while God let me wander, I was never out of His sight. And, I can see where He used my wanderings to teach me the things He wanted me to understand. In His time, He brought me close to Him again.

God was very close to me during the hardest times of my life when I could not have managed alone and I was very aware of His presence in those times - even though I did not ask Him to be there. Yet, many times when I have asked for His presence, I have not felt it. I have finally realized that He does expect me to do some things for myself with the knowledge that He has given me, but He has never and will never forsake me when I really do need Him.

Guess what? I still do not know what my "calling" is. I do not know what God's specific plan is for my life. Am I frustrated, scared, nervous or angry about that? Not anymore. God Is and He knows. I have faith in that. Right now, I am just working on growing where I am, learning scripture, praying and waiting on God's will.

And God does answer prayer - all prayer. It's just that sometimes the answer is "no." We have to listen carefully even to hear that.

Our church service tonight was on the three things we are supposed to do as Christians and if this is all I ever get, Oh yes Lord, they are enough for me! 1. Proclaim the Holy Word of God, 2. Protect God's Holy People and, 3. Praise God.

Through the Holy Bible, God gives us knowledge for how to live. Through the Holy Spirit, He gives us guidance. We have to be willing to read carefully and listen carefully. We may never feel a specific calling, but we will always have a purpose.

~L

[davidshultz]

Well, in 2003, I went to a youth conference at the charlotte convention center... The conference was mostly about finding your place in ministry...

I believe God puts a passion in each one of us, and that passion is what drives us to be what we are... For me, it was music. In 2003, I was a horrible guitarist. I knew a few chords, but nothing else... I felt strongly that I was to be involved in a music ministry.

Three weeks ago, I was in that same convention center... this time it was not a youth conference. It was a conference for youth pastors, and I was showcasing my ministry... a professional christian band, based in ministry. I didnt even realize it until the last day when I was walking in the hall remembering what went on 3 years before... then it hit me, and all I could say is "Oh my God... look what you have done!"

It took 17 years for me to hear my call... 2 years to persue it, and I am slowely getting on my feet. My advice is to listen to your heart, as long as your walk with God is tight, your desire is Gods desire.

Edited December 18, 2006 by davidshultz

[firehill]

It took 17 years for me to hear my call... 2 years to persue it, and I am slowely getting on my feet. My advice is to listen to your heart, as long as your walk with God is tight, your desire is Gods desire.

Spot on!