As Christian women, it’s often easy to find ourselves wondering, “What is my calling from God?” It can be easy to wonder if there is more than what we are walking out right now. And we can find ourselves overflowing with the desire to live out our faith more fully.
It is a common thing for Christians to want to know what the call of God is on our lives. For us to be curious about what He has created us to do for Him. And to want to make sure we do it well. In this post, we are going to explore how you discover your calling and discern His will for your life.
This post is all about what to do if you’ve ever wondered, “What is my calling for God?”
What Is A Calling?
A calling from God is so much more than just a task that He gives us. God’s calling on our lives is a beautiful invitation to walk in all that He created us to be. The call of God on our lives is ultimately about glorifying Him and serving those He places in our lives wherever He chooses to plant us.
The calling of God on your life may involve certain tasks or roles. It is a specific plan He has for you of what you can do on this earth for Him. It will always reflect His love and truth to the world around you. Alot of Christians find that their calling aligns with the passions He has placed within them, and serving the needs of others.
Ultimately, the purpose of His calling on your life is to serve Him and to love those He puts around you as you grow in your relationship with Him.
A Call For All Believers
Before we get into how you can discover the call of God on your life as an individual, we will explore the basic foundation of His calling for every Christian. Whether you are a young woman, older woman, single or married – God has a main, universal calling for all of His children.
1. A Call Into Relationship With Himself
1 Corinthians 1:9 says this: God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
This tells us the importance of knowing Him on a personal level. As we get to know Him through prayer and reading His word, we can fall in love with Him and who He is. Everything we do will flow from this relationship with Him and our love for Him. It is His will for you to grow closer to Him and experience His love, goodness and guidance each day.
It’s important to remember that our relationship with God is not based on “ticking things off” of a religious list of duties. Rather, our relationship with Him is about fellowshipping with Him everyday and growing deeper in our relationship with Him. It’s about knowing Him more and more.
2. A Calling to Holiness
For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life – 1 Thessalonians 4:7
Another calling that every Christian has is to live a life of holiness. As Christian women, we are not called to be like the world. We are called to be set apart – to live a life of holiness, like He is holy.
What does it mean to live a life of holiness? Living our lives different from how the world lives. This is how we shine His light.
The world notices when people live differently. They notice when you don’t swear, or when you respond to situations differently than they do. We are called to reflect God’s character through our words, actions and thoughts. It means living our lives in a way that is honouring to Him – walking in compassion and love for others and embracing purity within our hearts.
3. A Calling to Serve Others
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. – Mark 10:45
We are called to be servants, just as Jesus served others. Whether serving in your household, your church, you workplace or in your community, we are called to be vessels for Him. To show His love to those around us.
You can bring Him honour and fulfill this part of your calling by serving the people in your life.
4. A Calling to Evangelize and Make Disciples
The Great Commission Jesus gave us is this: Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. – Matthew 28:19-20.
We are called to share the gospel with the lost, and make disciples.
How can we share the gospel? Isn’t it sometimes a little awkward?! It doesn’t have to be!
You can find opportunities to share about Jesus and His love in simple interactions. A good one to start with – if someone asks you what you did on the weekend, for example – tell them if you went to church. Sharing that you attend church is a great opportunity to start talking about God with them. Or if they share that they have a sore knee or back – ask them if you can pray for them, and go from there. It doesn’t need to be complicated.
How To Find Your Own Individual Calling
So, we know that all Christians have a calling to the same thing, as mentioned in the points above.
Now, let’s get into how you can find your own unique, individual calling that God has for you.
1. Spending Time in Prayer
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
If you have found yourself thinking, “what is my calling from God?” Ask Him! Tell Him you long to know the calling He has for your life. Building your relationship with Him and prioritizing your prayer life will help you to be positioned to hear Him when He speaks.
Sometimes He speaks through the still, small voice. Or sometimes He speaks to us through His word, or through other people.
During your prayer time, don’t forget to be still and listen. He will guide you. And He may not tell you all at once what your unique calling is – otherwise you may go off and try to get there in your own strength.
Sometimes He leads us step by step in the direction that is His will for us without us even realising it.
2. Reflect on Your Passions and Gifts
God has intentionally placed passions, skills, and giftings in you that will help you in fulfilling your calling.
What excites you? What brings you joy? And what are you passionate about? Maybe your giftings include having a beautiful singing voice or encouraging others. Or maybe you have amazing leadership skills or teaching skills.
1 Peter 4:10 says, Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Take some time to sit and reflect on what your passions, strengths and talents are. Write them down. They were placed inside you on for a reason. Now, think about how you can use these gifts to serve others and glorify God. A lot of Christians find that their calling is actually linked to the passions they have, or their natural talents.
3. Look for Open Doors and Opportunities
God will often reveal His calling for us through opportunities and open doors He places in front of us. Some of us may discover our calling as we step into new roles or ministries. Or He may open doors that will allow us to use our gifts and talents to glorify Him. It’s from there that you may realise what your calling is.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. – Colossians 3:23
When you wholeheartedly seek Him, He will guide you. Trust that He is good, and that He will lead you in the right direction as you walk closely with Him and follow His promptings.
4. Be Patient and Trust the Process
Discovering the call of God on your life is a journey that unfolds as you grow in your relationship with Him. Often, we can feel that we are desperate to know, and it can lead to frustration.
Woman of God, trust in His perfect timing, and that He will reveal what your calling is when He knows the time is right. Often, in the waiting, He is molding and shaping us into the daughter He has planned for us to become. Be patient and keep on seeking Him. Trust that His plans for you are good.
Once You Discover Your Calling…
When He reveals your individual calling to you, He will lead and guide you in it. It can be tempting to rush ahead in your own strength, but let Him be your strength and embrace the role He has for you.
Regardless of what your calling is – whether it is to be a wife and mother, working in ministry, starting a business, or serving in your community – the ultimate goal is to serve Him faithfully, and to serve others. Embrace the fact that the magnificent God of the universe has called you for a purpose.
“What is my calling from God?” is a question that all of us have pondered in different seasons. May we focus everyday on the call to all of us to live a life of holiness and share the gospel, to shine His light in this world. And whatever your individual calling is, remember that all of it is an incredible opportunity to bring Him glory, and bring others’ to know Him.