What Is Your Calling?

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Have you discovered your calling?  The word “calling” is often misunderstood or used only when talking about people in the ministry. Christians view God as the source of our “calling” so the idea of it seems a little too daunting.

But is it? In Mark 10:46-50, we read the story of an ordinary man who was blind. Bartimaeus was sitting on the roadside begging when he heard Jesus was going by. He began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” While many told him to be quiet, Jesus said to call him. So Bartimaeus jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

Bartimaeus wasn’t anyone special. In fact, he would have been considered second-class by a culture that mistakenly prejudged his blindness as sinful. That could have been a barrier, yet when Jesus called, Bartimaeus rushed to Jesus’ side. Bartimaeus didn’t let anything deter him from Jesus’ calling.

What barriers or obstacles have kept you jumping to your feet when Jesus calls? It could be doubt. It could be that we wonder if we are hearing God or just assuming we are. Maybe we don’t see how God can use us. Maybe our job takes up too much of our time. Or maybe, we put our calling on the back burner because of circumstances.   

Is figuring out our “calling” that complicated?  Fundamentally, our calling is not a job we do, a title we earn, or even a check we write. Our calling is to respond to Jesus and go to Him, just like Bartimaeus did. Your calling is the vehicle by which you fulfill all that God calls you to be. It is not the reason for your existence, nor the basis of your happiness. God and God alone is the basis of our existence and our ultimate happiness. Once we recognize that and accept it in our hearts, we are liberated to pursue our calling with a focus that is clearer than ever.

We’re called to have a more intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior.  When we do, Jesus draws us near and calls us His brothers and sisters (Matthew 12:50). He erases the divide between our humanity and His divinity by calling us friends (John 15:15). While our faith leads us to accomplish good works, our first and highest calling is simply to be near Jesus. When we are, everything else will begin to fall in place.

“You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)

 Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think following God’s calling often involves going through difficult circumstances? When we neglect to follow God’s calling out of fear or uncertainty, what does that say about our trust in Him?