The Meaning of Calling
The Meaning of Calling by Tiffany Ward
Have you ever asked yourself, what am I even here for? I have—more than once. I have tried to find meaning through achievement and performance. I have looked to others like my parents, friends, spouse, and children to affirm me in order that I might be clear on my thoughts about myself. I have had a myriad of emotions that I have felt so strongly meant something real for my purpose. I have even sat through an amazing coaching session using a framework—created by Simon Sinek— to Find My Why.
There seems to be a lot of confusion on the word calling. We often think that it is a big mysterious, one-time event. This tends to leave people feeling stuck, anxious, or left out. As humans, I believe we all long for meaning, purpose, and direction. We experience the sensation of longing very regularly as we see and want, as we hunger and thirst for food and drink everyday. We even might find an outer sense awake to us. That sense connects a physical touch from another human who is warm, nurturing, and loving towards us from the outside inward.
I have read 1 Peter 2:9 many times but recently, I read it again after a conflict with someone I love deeply. It says: But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. The message translation by Eugene Peterson is wonderful to read. It makes me say, “Wow!” Translation Tiffany says in short: you are chosen, made holy, called for purposeful living.
This truth of being called out of darkness coupled with the words of a loving pastor and friend who encouraged me to consider the voices I allow to be in my mind. She asked me, “Who am I giving voice to in me?” These simple words struck a chord inside my soul and the verse I later found worked powerfully together. It blew me away because I realized calling and real life purpose wasn’t just for missionaries or pastors—it’s for all of us. Calling is first about relationship with Jesus, then about living like Him, then about using your gifts.
Primary Calling:
Our calling begins with relationship with Jesus, not assignment. In the New Testament, before the disciples had a ministry task, Jesus first said: Follow me. (See Matthew 4:19) Our worth isn’t tied to what we do for God, but who we are with God. Much like a parent with a child, the child’s first calling isn’t chores or achievements, it’s simply to live in relationship as a son or daughter. This isn’t about striving or performance. We are present with him and he with us. We trust in dependence on him, obey saying yes, to his ways, and over time we see our lives transformed and our character shaped into who we are becoming. This walk is steady and eternal.
Daily Calling:
Living in a way that honors Him is the everyday expression of our faith. This is in both the seen and unseen moments of life. This daily practice is about a strong character and posture beyond tasks and jobs. We are developed with endurance for things to come as we face challenges and life struggles. James 1:2–4 says, to consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. This is in our home life, work place, physical and virtual communities and our personal life when we make space for prayer, rest, and healthy choices.
Unique Calling:
Using your gifts and your story to serve others is a wonderful expression of your life with Jesus. It’s where your gifts, passions, and story meet the needs of the world. Unlike primary and daily calling which are the same for every believer, unique calling looks different for each of us. Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. This biblical anchor is powerful to help us see the point in our purpose which is to glorify God and not ourselves. 1 Peter 4:10–11 says, each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others. Using our gifts involves discovering them in prayer, community, affirmation and trial & error. We don’t have to wait for the perfect platform; we start where we are and grow in our gifts. They are refined in each of us. Like a mosaic, God takes the broken pieces in our lives and arranges them into something beautiful that reflects his light.
Reflect:
—Where do I sense God inviting me into deeper relationship with Him?
—What are the ordinary places I’m already called to shine light?
—What am I uniquely passionate about that could serve others?
Call to Action:
Let me encourage you! Our calling is not a secret puzzle to be solved, but an ongoing walk with Jesus. I like to see it more like a path or a trail. You aren’t finding a hidden treasure chest in the woods. We aren’t finding it all at once. It is unfolding while we are on the journey of life. We just take the next step with Jesus, and the trail opens up as we go. We move, we grow, and we trust. We discover our calling while we walk with God. As we look back, we see that God has arranged our broken pieces into a beautiful mosaic picture.
Be free. Take your own walk, read a new book, journal your own gratitudes or paint a picture. Find something you can do that fills you up and doesn’t drain you!
Let God’s melody, which he is already singing over your life, wash over the ears of your heart. Allow the song he sings to become the one you believe. The more you catch the tune, and let that sound bite turn into the song you sing. You will feel alive with purpose and others will want to tune into your radio station too because it’s tuned into the source of living hope.
Prayer:
Father God, thank you that you still invite people to follow you. We are so thankful you call us first to yourself. Draw me closer in relationship with you so I remember my worth is being your child, fully known and fully loved by you. Teach me to walk faithfully each day, even in trials, with perseverance, joy, and love. Show me how to use the gifts and story you’ve given to me to serve others and bring you glory. Tune my heart to your melody and help me sing it in the world. May we all believe. In the name of Jesus. Amen
—Be Treasured