Lately I have felt frustrated with what the Lord’s calling is over my life. Should I be a full-time missionary in another country, or maybe a teacher in the states, or what if God is calling me to start an organization somewhere? I have been overwhelmed with the possibilities and my want for answers has only increased more being on the World Race.
For a few weeks I have been stressed out every time I think about my future and the rest of my life. A few weeks ago at the Penang House of Prayer, a woman poured a lot of wisdom into me. I hadn’t told her about my recent frustrations, but the Lord knew I needed wisdom and encouragement, and she gave it to me! Here is what she told me…
Being a teacher, or a nurse, or a missionary, is NOT my calling. My calling in this life is not a certain career destination. Often we get caught up in our future and what we are possibly going to do with the rest of our lives. I almost feel like the phrase “God’s calling” is such taboo. What does that even mean anyways??
Philippians 3:14
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Our calling is not in the things of this world, it is straight back to the Lord and glorifying him here on Earth. The woman I spoke with told me that she lived in Penang for 4 years, and now runs an organization in Thailand to save young girls in prostitution. She said she doesn’t think she will be there forever as she has a passion for the awakening of the church. These are all pit stops along the way to her one true calling, and that is to God! Our identity does not lay in our career. Our identity is in Christ alone! We should not label ourselves as “doctor” or “missionary”, but first as “Followers of Jesus”. This is our one true identity. As long as our focus is on God, we will see exactly where we he is leading us.
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Exodus 9:16
But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth
We need to first commit to give God 100% of all we have. I realized I had prayed for the Lord to reveal “what’s next?”, without first being all in. I heard someone say once that a lot of the time, God will show you his plans after you are committed to him and anything he asks of you. His direction and path for your life may be extremely difficult and challenging. Maybe that is why He wants you to be committed first.
I know now that first I need to get rid of all fears. My heart needs to be ready to hear what the Lord has next for me so there is no room to say no!
I sometimes still wonder about what might be next. I may be a teacher, I may become a doctor, or I might even be the president’s wife someday. What ever I do, my calling remains the same: to bring glory to the Kingdom of God
Love always. Bri
