How do I know what God is calling me to do?
It’s a question I get asked all the time, especially with all that is going on in our world.
Whether through email, direct messages, phone calls, or in person, people regularly pose these queries…
– How do I know what God is calling me to do?
– What does God want next with my life?
– What is my purpose now?
How do I know what God is calling me to do?
First, let’s set the stage.
BIBLE PASSAGE:
“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.”
John 4
MEDITATION:
After Jesus told His disciples that He would soon be leaving them, He prayed.
He explained to them what would happen so they would not be surprised and experience turmoil at His departure.
He wanted them to understand in advance, so they would not be shocked at the events that were about to happen.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
We are kind of like the disciples, aren’t we?
When we are prepared in advance, we can usually cope with things a little better.
When we experience peace from Jesus, we can handle things even better.
It doesn’t mean that we would choose, or even like what is going to happen (or is happening), but we are given an unusual peace that helps us to manage through it.
This peace from the Lord shows the kind of love He has for His true followers and worshippers.
Back to the prayer of Jesus.
He told the Father that He had ‘brought Him glory’.
How? By ‘finishing the work’ God gave Him to do.
If we are followers of Christ, then we would have to assume that God gives each of us work to do as well.
If we are followers of Christ, then we would have to assume that God gives each of us work to do as well. Share on X
Look what Paul said in his second letter to Timothy.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
(2 Timothy 4:7)
He said he had ‘finished the race’, implying that he had completed the path God created for him.
Paul felt that he had ‘finished the work’ given to Him by the Lord.
Whenever we receive salvation from God, it is not the end of our journey, but the beginning. At the proper time, He will give each of us specific areas where He wants us to ‘work’ to bring Him glory.
It may not be an area of our choosing and it might take us out of our comfort zone.
However, if we are committed to following Him, we will step out on faith and confidence that whatever He asks us to do, He will equip us with what we need to be effective.
It may not be an area of our choosing and it might take us out of our comfort zone. Share on X
It may require a change in our lifestyle and habits, but when we realize we are ‘bringing Him glory,’ we can experience a new level of fellowship with Him.
Not only that, but we will discover a new and worthy purpose for living!
So, how do I know what God is specifically calling me to do?
Knowing He has uniquely gifted you, equipped you, and created you with purpose, I’d like to suggest a few things you can do to better understand His calling.
First, surrender your life completely to Him.
Give Him everything.
Hold nothing back.
Pray the prayer of Jesus in Luke 22:42, “Not my will, but yours be done.”
Second, spend time in His Word daily.
Open the Bible and begin to read it, study it, reflect on it, and learn it.
If you aren’t sure where to start, you can begin reading one chapter in Proverbs.
For example, if today is the 26th day of the month. Read the 26th chapter in Proverbs.
Time in the Bible makes you wise.
It gives you clarity and understanding. I can’t always explain it, but I can assure you that God will speak to you through His Word.
Time in the Bible makes you wise. It gives you clarity and understanding. Share on X
Third, take time to pray about your calling.
Prayer is simply talking to God.
It’s taking your cares to the Creator of this universe and talking them over with Him.
As you are seeking His will for your life, talk to Him. It may help to write down some of your thoughts and prayers in a journal.
If it helps, talk out loud.
Want more on prayer, you might enjoy this article that I wrote: “Can You Help Me to Understand How to Pray?“
Prayer is talking to God. It's taking your cares to the Creator of this universe and talking them over with Him. Share on X
Fourth, take a spiritual gift test to understand your giftedness.
God has given you a gift. Do you know what it is?
To discover your gift, you can take a test to find out more.
Here’s one that I found online that is free. Spiritual Gift Test.
Fifth, talk to at least one trusted friend about your gifts and calling.
Often, other people can see things we just can’t see about our strengths and weaknesses.
Talk to a few trusted friends about your ideas, your gifts, and your calling.
Invite them to “speak” into your life and offer insights.
Often, other people can see things we just can't see about our strengths and weaknesses. Share on X
Sixth, do all you know to do now.
While you are waiting for God to call you, use you, or direct you–do all that you know to do.
Follow and obey the Lord right where you are and with what you have.
Colossians 3:23-24 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Follow and obey the Lord right where you are and with what you have. Share on X
A great example to follow…
Christine Caine is an author, speaker, and ministry leader who speaks to thousands of people each year all around the world.
She’s published numerous books and made a huge impact on the world of human trafficking.
However, her ministry beginnings were very ordinary.
In one of her books, she shares how (as a new believer) she cleaned out closets at her church.
She helped with basic needs.
Regularly, she just showed up and served – never dreaming that God would give her an international ministry.
And, that is what I would encourage you to do as well… show up and serve.
Get up.
Get out.
Step up.
Do all that you know to do.
Do everything God has given you to do today.
It may not seem like much.
But, you never know what God is preparing you for! You have no idea what is just around the corner or what God has planned next for your life!
In Luke 16:10, Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
But, you never know what God is preparing you for! You have no idea what is just around the corner or what God has planned next for your life! Share on X
Action to Know What God is Calling You to Do
What work has God given you to complete?
What has He called you to do right now?
Has it taken you out of your comfort zone, or required a change in your habits and lifestyle?
Anytime we are expected or required to do something new and different, we can feel uncomfortable initially, but never forget that when the Lord is involved, you will get used to it, and you will be blessed.
Will you be able to say you have ‘finished the work’ when you see God?
Will you be able to say you have finished the work when you see God? Share on X
Prayer to Know What God is Calling You to Do
“Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me. Forgive me for overlooking the fact You want me to bring You glory on earth, by finishing whatever You want me to do.
Show me the work you want me to complete, and give me the courage and confidence to exercise my faith, by trusting that You will be with me, and provide me with what I need. Instill in me a desire to accept and diligently pursue Your desires for me while I live out my life on earth.
Thank You for allowing me to be a part of Your earthly ministry.”
Want more encouragement?
Check out this video about discovering God’s will for your life…
About the Author:
Don has been teaching Bible classes for over 40 years and a Christian blogger for the last 7 years.
He has been married to Debbie for 50 years and has two children and seven grandchildren. He is overwhelmed and humbled daily by the Lord’s presence.
You can check out Don’s blog at https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/
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18 Comments
Michele Kelsey · 06/06/2021 at 3:01 AM
What you said is so true! Thank you for sharing. I struggled when I began my new website https://sharinglifeandlove.com/ and my new writing business, not knowing what my calling was. I like the examples you shared. They are so helpful! I simply read a scripture one day that encouraged me to spread the Word of God rather than talk about other things on my blog, and I feel now that it’s more of my calling. It’s still sometimes hard to hear God over the clutter and noise of life. What suggestions do you have for juggling it all? Again, thanks for sharing! All the Best, Michele
helloredds@gmail.com · 06/07/2021 at 2:10 PM
Hey Michele,
It’s so great to hear from you!
I love that you are blogging and writing! Way to go!
It’s so fun to see how God uses our lives and our gifts.
My top suggestions for staying focused:
1. Start the day with Jesus and check in with Him a lot.
2. Make a list and really try to stick with it each day.
3. Only answer emails once per day.
4. Try to only focus on 2-3 social media channels. You can’t do them all well.
5. Overlap, re-use, and share on the same topic as often as possible. Don’t reinvent the wheel every time. For example, reshare your best posts every year. Wriite a few new ones, and renovate and reuse the best ones!
6. Realize blogging is a marathon, not a sprint!
Hope this helps!
Blessings,
Melanie
Sonika Tirkey · 06/26/2020 at 5:58 AM
God bless you
helloredds@gmail.com · 06/26/2020 at 9:32 AM
Thank you, Sonica!
Blessings to you today,
Melanie
Skye Jaskar · 05/27/2020 at 11:16 AM
The role of a wife, mother and an aged women is found In Titus to 1 Peter 3:1-6
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
1 Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation [coupled] with fear.
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Colossians 3:18 – Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Divorce is never an option, so young woman, choose your spouse wisely
Luke 16:18 – Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from [her] husband committeth adultery.
Mark 10:12 – And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
Gods’ word never changes, it is the same yesterday today and forever. He said that in Genesis 2, and said that again in the New testament.
helloredds@gmail.com · 06/02/2020 at 10:51 AM
Thank you for sharing this Scripture!
Amen, Skye!
Fiona · 05/03/2020 at 6:49 PM
This was wonderful! So affirming and encouraging. I particularly liked, “if we are committed to following Him, we will step out on faith and confidence that whatever He asks us to do, He will equip us with what we need to be effective.” So thankful that this is the case. Thanks for sharing. I shared it on my Facebook as I know it will bless many of my friends too 😊
helloredds@gmail.com · 05/04/2020 at 12:25 PM
Hey, Fiona!
Thank you for your encouragement!
You bless me with your kind words.
And, I pray that God will bless you and everyone you share it with!
Blessings,
Melanie
Alissa Taylor · 09/30/2019 at 7:24 PM
Thank you for this beautiful post. It has helped me today. I need God to direct me and the best way is to trust in him and keep working hard at what I am doing. I needed to be reassured and this post helped me do that. ❤️
helloredds@gmail.com · 10/11/2019 at 8:40 AM
Amen, Alissa!
I’ll be praying that God will direct you and encourage you in the way you need to go!
Blessings to you,
Melanie
Lila Diller · 08/30/2018 at 8:19 PM
I love the point, “Do what you know to do now.” His Word “is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” A lamp doesn’t shine very far. It only shows the next step or two. We most likely won’t see our entire journey laid out before us; God usually only gives us the next step, one step at a time.
Also, Melanie, I wanted to let you know that I mentioned you on my blog today when I nominated you for the 3-Day Quote Challenge! You can find the rules on my blog post at http://www.liladiller.com/blog/quotechallenge3.
helloredds@gmail.com · 08/31/2018 at 7:47 AM
Thank you, Lila!
I’ll drop by and check it out!
Sure do appreciate you~
Melanie
Johanna F. Situde · 01/24/2020 at 9:34 AM
Hi Don.
It was a previledge to go systematically through this teaching to understand about gifts and calling and to know how we will know what the specific calling or gift is for each one of us. It was very good to better understand God’s calling and the requirement thereto as a follower and worshipper of Jesus Christ. I’m equipped with knowledge that I will be able to share with my fellow bretern as I at the end asked God to give me an audience to teach His word because many of us are struggling with this subject/area as born again children of God.
Thank you for the seed and may God continue to bless you and your families in spreading the truth.
Amen.
helloredds@gmail.com · 01/24/2020 at 1:49 PM
Thank you, Johanna.
We appreciate you and your feedback and comments.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment.
May God richly bless you,
Melanie
Cathy Mayfield · 08/27/2018 at 5:11 AM
I love when Scripture points me in the right direction, but it delights me when the words the Holy Spirit lays on the hearts of His servants points in the same direction. I have a huge writing project I keep putting off and I don’t really know why. I’m excited about it, awed by the responsibility God’s given me to do it, but maybe afraid I won’t do it justice … I can’t tell for sure. Life and laundry, cooking and cleaning, visiting and vegging … but the project I feel called to sits in a few files waiting for me to say, “Okay, let’s do this thing!” These words just reaffirm His message and give me a boost … at least for today. I bookmarked the page so I can return to it if need be! LOL! Thank you for sharing. Blessings!
helloredds@gmail.com · 08/31/2018 at 7:45 AM
Amen, Cathy!
Praying you will get that writing project done. And maybe all of your stalling has gotten you really organized!
Keep on keeping on.
And, let me know when you finish your book. You go, girl!
Blessings,
Melanie
Brianne · 11/30/2018 at 3:46 PM
I would love to read it! Iam a diligent proofreader, too!
helloredds@gmail.com · 08/26/2018 at 7:48 AM
Thank you, Don, for another wonderful word from the Word!
May we follow the Lord wholeheartedly and let Him lead us!