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Finding Your Calling – Part 4: Called to Live

I was in the car with my dad. I planned to ride with him to his house then take a cab or jeep to our home. As we drove, we talked about something that always gets us excited – work.

Even before I was in full-time ministry, we would get into animated conversations that went late into the night. This drive was no different.

“And Pop, that’s why I think the best thing would be to move this person to this role so that we can minimize the effect of their weaknesses while maximizing their strengths.”

“That’s one possibility, Joe. But have you considered- Wait. Where are you going?”

“With you…?”

“Yes, but after that?”

“Home.”

“Okay, let’s stop talking about this now.”

“What? Why?”

“If we keep going, you’ll get excited for work. You won’t be ready to serve your wife, to listen to her, to be attentive to her needs. Because your mind will be about work. Instead, we should be using this drive to reboot ourselves, so that we get home with passion and energy.”

I remembered so many days in our first few months where I would get home absolutely exhausted from the drive that I would collapse into a chair for 20 minutes before even speaking to Carla.

That conversation reminded me that my call from God isn’t just about my work as a campus missionary. It’s also about the rest of my life. Here’s what the Bible says,

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:1 (emphasis mine)

Your calling is about living a life, not just having a job.

I'm called to both these things.
I’m called to both these things.

If you’re stressed about not knowing your calling now, you might be focusing too much on just the work aspect. Coz if you think about it, there plenty of things you’re called to that are obvious.

  • You’re called to honor your father and mother. (Have you made plans for Mother’s Day?) Know that God is pleased with you doing that as He is with anything else.
  • We’re called to love the people around us, including our enemies. Maybe instead of finding our dream job, let’s just love the people in our environment.
  • We’re called to worship God. Instead of trying to get out of our tough moments, how about we worship God within them?

The list goes on and on. But the point is a simple one. When God called us, He called us to a life. Not just a job. If you don’t know what to do with your career, then start with the areas with you’re sure He’s called you – your relationship with Him and with others.

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1 comment
  • Thanks for this article. Ive been praying abt my future for several months now, whether to pursue masteral studies or devote more time to ministry, i truly enjoyed going to mission trips this yr, but i dont know if i could juggle it w/studies & my current part time job. Again thanks for the reminder to abide in Christ & doing our best while waiting for an answer.

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