How to Follow Your Calling with Courage
2020 has been a turbulent year to say to the least. Many of our plans and professions have been destabilized in the wake of COVID-19. After recent racial injustices and violent riots across the country, everything seems more unsteady than ever before. It may leave us wondering what the future holds for us and what our role as a human being in this ever-changing world is supposed to be.
These are good questions to ask, and they do have answers because every individual is made with purpose and has a unique calling on their life: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11). There is no other “you” in the world who can fulfill the exact purpose for which you were created (Ephesians 2:10). Still, that can be difficult to believe when the odds seem stacked up against us, nothing is going our way, or external events and circumstances outside our control are hurting our progress or making everything seem unclear.
That’s why following our calling from God requires some courage. It is not always easy to fulfill what is asked of us, and especially during days like these, it can be downright difficult. Perhaps you need courage in following the calling you feel from God on your life or maybe you need courage for being willing to press in and discover what His calling is for you. No matter which camp you fall in, there is truth and inspiration available for you to take hold of that can spur you into courageously embracing your calling.
First and foremost, it is critical to understand the chief calling that all Christians share: “But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). At the end of the day, our responsibility and role do not lie in how much money we made in our jobs, the position we achieved, if we were the perfect parent, or any of those other metrics by which we measure ourselves. Thankfully, the key to success is much more simple than that. It is all about our heart and our motivation. Are we doing things to bring glory and recognition to ourselves, or are we seeking to do God’s will to bring Him the glory? “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). If we seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, everything else follows suit and into place. What a wonderful promise!
Secondly, it’s important to know that we all have different spiritual giftings (1 Cor. 7:17). God made it that way so that we could function to serve one another and be His hands and feet in this world. Maybe your giftings seem that they would serve well in a work environment, non-profit arena, ministry sphere, on the mission field, or in the home. Whatever it may be, it’s empowering to know what your spiritual gifts are, as it gives you some clarity into how God made you and how he wants you to serve the Body of Christ.
To start, you can take this spiritual gifts test in addition to asking some faith-filled loved ones what they perceive your gifts to be: https://spiritualgiftstest.com/.
Finally, it’s critical to keeping our courage high that we remember God has got us. Even if we should fail in an earthly endeavor, lose a job, or fall flat on our face, God is merciful that we can never truly fail when we seek and trust Him. “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go” (Isaiah 48:17).
At the end of each day and at the beginning of all new journeys, we take courage in the truth that God will show us what is best for us if we will just seek Him and listen, no matter how inadequate we feel or what mistakes we have made in the past.