Purpose and Calling

Isaiah 55:11 ESV

11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Everyone has a calling, but for different purposes.

Whenever we hear the word 'Calling,' we often associate it to a Spiritual vocation, maybe a pastor or an evangelist.

God loves varieties. He called David to be a King, not a Prophet, while He called Esther as a Queen to stand up for the Jews and defend their cause.

Samson, Peter, and Nehemiah were all called by God, but with different responsibilities.

Your gifts, passion, strengths, and anointing are all connected to your calling, and to be effective in the area God has called you to function, you need to work within the confines of the gifts he has given you.

Interestingly, God's gifts on you are permanent. In Romans 11:29 NIV, "For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn." Gifts only become redundant when not put to work.

Romans 11:29 (NIV)

29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.

How can I know my call?  

There are only a few occasions in the Bible where God directly spoke to people about their calling;

Moses and the burning bush.

Saul on his way to Damascus, and a few others.

Sometimes, a person's call is born out of a burning passion for change, and once they take a step towards it, God will back them up.

Nehemiah was passionate about rebuilding Jerusalem's wall, God didn't speak to him directly, and once he makes up his mind, God backs him up.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)

24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Also, callings are sometimes born out of 'positional responsibility' or expectations after assuming an office.

Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

When Esther became the Queen, she took the risk and responsibility to stand up for the Jews, and by so doing, God backed her up.

If God has not spoken to you directly about your calling, don't passively wait for him, your gifts, personalities, talents, strengths, and passion are always indicators of what He has called you to do.

The danger of heeding your call too late in life is you limit the length of your relevance to the people, environment, or the generation God has sent you to.

There is a cost to starting late in life, concentrate your call to live the life God intended for you.

Prayer:

Dear God, help me to recognize my gifts, and please strengthen me to embrace my call. Give me the spirit of boldness and courage to stand up for the cause you've destined me to fulfill. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Fulfillment

Fulfillment is a measure of how satisfied you are with your purpose. 

Fulfillment happens when we are happy with where we are in the realization of purpose.

Really, the only time we question our purpose is when we are low on fulfillment. Which is why a man’s work is so important to God.

Fulfillment grows richer and more nuanced throughout the years as you learn to better align with God’s great task.

When you look back through your life, you want to be able to say “That was the Lord” or “Lord, look what we did together!”

These are the trail markers of fulfillment.

Many individuals feel unfulfilled, though they would never say it. They might not be able to recognize that they’re feeling this way, but they can certainly know it when they find themselves waiting for five o’clock.

It is not true that you must enjoy what you do in order to feel fulfilled at work.

Fulfillment comes from alignment with purpose, not from external things like working conditions, job perks, salary, title, coworkers, or enjoying the actual tasks of your work.

Fulfillment is the by-product of a relationship with the Lord.

Paul said, “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little” (Phil. 4:12 NLT). He knew the benefit of working with the Lord, and he’d learned it while in custody.

Philippians 4:12 NIV

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). The abundance He brings is much larger than the job you hold or the amount of money you get paid.

It’s true that you should work together with Him on the dreams He’s given you. 

Fulfillment is by no means confined to what you do.

Fulfillment at work and within your calling is directly linked to how you abide in Christ on the job.

John 10:10 NIV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

So long as your desire is to keep God involved, you will see the passions He has planted and the promises He has made become a reality in your life!