I wish I had a dollar for every time someone has said to me, “Oh I could never . . .” fill in the blank, usually with “live overseas” or “be in full-time ministry” or “homeschool my kids” or some other lifestyle choice we’ve made along the way.
It’s hard to know how to respond to statements like that. I used to think, “Sure you could!” But now I think, “You know what? You could, but you’re not supposed to do this. And that’s okay.”
See, I can do what I do only because this is what I’m called to do. You might be called to do something else. (Probably you are because if God called us all to the same thing, well, that would be highly inefficient).
We each have our own calling. And God gives us what we need for what we are called to do.
The Uniqueness of Our Calling
I didn’t decide to move overseas or be in full-time ministry or homeschool my kids because I thought I’d be awesome at these things and they seemed manageable and fun. (and honestly, those are usually grids I would use!) No, I had great reservations about all of them. But it was obvious to me when I chose to enter each of those situations that it was what God wanted for me. It was what He was leading me to do.
As Christians, we often espouse the view that to truly follow God, we must all live a certain way. It’s easy to feel pressure to conform to the choices we see others around us making. We judge others when they don’t make the same choices we do. We question others, we doubt ourselves.
All of that negates calling. Recently, a friend of mine was sharing about her decision to have a larger family. It wasn’t one she took lightly. It was what she felt God asked of her.
She receives more than her share of, “Oh I could never . . .” statements with regard to the number of children she has. But the truth she keeps returning to is that she knows it is how she and her husband were led. It is what God had for them.
The Broadness of God’s Calling
Calling can be a nebulous word. What do we mean by that? I used to believe that God’s calling on my life was some target I had to hit; miss it and you’re outside His will. All bets for a good life are off then.
But I believe now that God’s will is broader than that. I fully believe God designs us with specific gifts and passions meant to be used for His glory (Ephesian 2:10). That call is unique to us.
Therefore calling combats comparison. When we are sure that the choices we make are what God has for us personally, it silences the voices that say, “But other people are doing this” or “I should live like that person.”
Bring What You Have
Calling invites stewardship. Those gifts and passions He gave you? Other people don’t have them. So if you don’t show up with them, we all miss out. We all need to offer who we are and what we can do.
In Psalm 16:5-6 it reads, “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup. You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. Surely I have a delightful inheritance.” God assigns us our calling. Confidence in our calling brings security. It provides boundaries that say, “This is for you, and that is not. And that is good.”
What is your calling today? Who is He calling you to be? What is He calling you to do? Ask Him to show you what He has for you, listen for His leading and walk confidently in it.
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