God’s calling you. Does everyone have a calling? How do you know God’s calling for you? What is the plan God has for you?
Does Everyone have a Calling from God?
The short answer is Yes. God has a plan for everyone. In those plans, it includes a calling in your life.
In God’s Will, there is a general or sovereign will for everyone to come to a knowledge of God. There is a specific type of will that God has for you. God gives each of us gifts and talents that we are good at doing. You will have a specific calling for using that talent.
Some people may use their talent for speaking to give sermons, do a podcast, give TedTalks on a subject they are knowledgeable about, or maybe they use that talent in politics or as a lawyer to argue a case. Whatever their talent is, it is tailored to their interests or passions. Looking over this list, you can see that God can use the talents you have, paired with your chosen career, or your passions for His glory.
How to know God’s Calling for You
God has a plan and calling for each of us. But it isn’t easy to determine as God doesn’t speak directly to us. But looking at different Bible verses, we can get some answers. And others will come based on waiting for His answers to prayers and making some movements on our own.
God’s Calling Bible Verses
1. We are all created to do good works
We are all His masterpiece and created to do good. What we do is based on the specific talents that we have. Said another way, you were created to do good things based on the special abilities that God has given you.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10 ESV
2. Called to have Hope
If we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we will live with Him for all eternity. That knowledge is a calling of hope. Knowing that it is coming gives us hope to continue on when we deal with all the pressures and troubles of this world.
Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
Ephesians 1:18 ESV
3. Live a Worthy Life
Based on the calling that we have in Ephesians 1, we are to live a worthy life.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called
Ephesians 4:1 ESV
This worthy walk is the conduct that we have as Christians on a day-to-day basis. In the following verses, we are to be humble, gentle, patient, loving, and maintain unity. In the chapters that follow, we are to speak the truth and not deceit. We are to live as children of light, not darkness. In chapter 5, Fruits of the Spirit are to be evident in how we walk and live with others – husbands, wives, children, and bosses and co-workers. And then in chapter 6, we are to walk in God’s strength with His armor to shield us from the evil one.
Determining God’s Calling for You
There are four ways to discover God’s calling He has for you.
1. God’s purpose is hidden inside of you
God created you for a purpose and that purpose is hidden within you. We need to dig deep and figure out what that purpose is. God gives us understanding when we walk with integrity and walk rightly in His ways (Proverbs 2:6-10). When we have that understanding, then we can begin to know that purpose.
The purpose of a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 20:5 ESV
2. Take Inventory and Pray
Take an Inventory of your specific talents and gifts. Pray about them and ask God how you can use them for Him.
3. Spend time in God’s Word and in His Presence Daily
Spend time in His presence. The more you spend time in His presence, the more you will know Him and His heart. Through these times of soul searching in His presence, you will find your God-given purpose & calling for you. When you spend time in His presence, there is full joy and He makes your path known.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 ESV
4. Seek Wise Counsel
Others who know you well will have some insight into what you are good at and will offer good advice. These wise people, who follow the Lord, will have some thoughts about how you can use your talents to serve God in whatever you do.
When we go out on a limb alone, we don’t have those balance checks to ensure we are on the safe path.
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 24:6 ESV
This verse refers to having an abundance of counselors. Check-in with several wise friends or seniors in your church. If you listen to only one person or those who are unwise, you could be led astray.
After you have gathered these insights, be sure to talk to the Lord about them and pray on them. Listen to what He tells you.
Following these four steps will help you confirm that these plans, calling and purpose are His desires that He has for you.
