Funny isn’t it? How a simple comment…or lack of comment… in an everyday conversation can stick with you like sticky bread dough on the hands.
There have not been too many times that I’ve shyly bore my insides and let someone in to know that I..I…I want to be or am working toward being a writer or an artist or a counselor. I want to do what I love. I want to do what I am…not be what I do. A few times I’ve walked away feeling more embarrassed that I exposed myself than encouraged.
Why is that?
I don’t think it is because the people were cruel but because people…we…even I…have become jaded. Shouldn’t our primary goal be to work and provide for our needs? We need to be practical…realists. The reality is…who gets to do and be what they really are inside right?
Wrong.
So I was sitting across from her and I boldly said (one of the rare times I was bold about this topic), “I want to do something different…I want to write or something.”
She said, “Get over it, Amy. You’re going to be like the rest of us. The sooner you accept that the better. Nobody does what they love.”
Now I know that she meant it in a loving way but…
But it stuck with me. Perhaps it made my longing to write, take pictures and go back to school…even stronger. Perhaps it made me want to fight even more this idea that we are destined to mediocrity in a place in life that is not at all fulfilling. The place where I was when she said that to me.
Chapter 6 of The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life by Os Guinness is entitled: “Do What You Are”. His point in this chapter and book is to help us see that a sense of calling should precede a choice of job and career, and the main way to discover calling is along the line of what we are each created and gifted to be.
I understand that for many of us, it is not possible for our full time jobs to be jobs that are fitting for how we’re designed. Many people must work their entire lives in an unfulfilling unsatisfying job for the sake of having money to provide for their families.
I personally didn’t take the time to fully figure out and understand how God designed me while I was in college or college-aged. I had a sense and took some steps in the direction. Ultimately, though, I decided to go a different direction for the sake of being practical and also for the desire to have fun instead of having to study harder. I paid the price after graduation by working jobs that were not necessarily jobs best suited for how God designed me. They were jobs, though, that provided and God used them and continues to use them in my life.
Guinness says, that instead of, “You are what you do,” calling says “Do what you are.” The truth is not that God is finding us a place for our gifts but that God has created us and our gifts for a place of his choosing—and we will be ourselves when we are finally there. We who seek to follow Christ and to answer his call can pursue the key link between our giftedness and our calling. There is a vast amount of Christian books and tests on the subject.
I have wondered if seeking a life doing what you are is selfish. Nothing can be further from the truth though. Giftedness in Christ for Christ is not selfishness but service that is perfect freedom.
In Chapter 4, p. 31, Guinness makes the distinction between primary corporate calling and our secondary individual calling. Our primary calling as followers of Christ is by him, to him, and for him. First and foremost we are called to Someone (God), not to something (such as motherhood, politics, or teaching) or to somewhere (such as the inner city or Outer Mongolia). It’s that part of our life-response to God that we undertake in common with all other followers of Christ. Our secondary or individual calling, considering who God is as sovereign, is that everyone, everywhere and in everything should think, speak, live, and act entirely for him. It’s that part of our life-response to God that we make as unique individuals. Our individual callings are unique simply because each of us is unique. We can therefore properly say as a matter of secondary calling that we are called to homemaking or to the practice of law or to art history.
Abraham Kuyper once said, “There is not one square inch of the entire creation about which Jesus Christ does not cry out, ‘This is mine! This belongs to me!”
That includes you and me.
He has called us to Himself for Himself by Himself to live for Himself. He has called us to live as the Word tells us to.
Secondly, He has called us to live out how He has made us and gifted us.
Do you sense that you are doing that? Do you sense that you want to do that more?
My after-college years have taken me from being a printing saleswoman to a stay-at-home-homeschooling-mom-writer-photographer-counseling student. I’m still looking, at 41, to take back the years of not living out fully how God designed me.
If you feel the same, take heart. God works in our life even if we make choices that seem less than perfect in hindsight.
I chose the graphic arts industry in college because…there were fun people in those classes and it was easier than Psychology (which was my original major). I also felt drawn to it because it spoke to my creative self. Although sales was not my cup of tea, I was in a creative industry and creativity was and is important to me. Within my career, he sent someone to me whom He used to turn me back toward Christ. That person went to a seminary that I ended up attending and lead me to a very good church where I met my husband. Because of the experiences and influences I had at that church and seminary, I’m now pursuing a life that reflects more of my primary and secondary calling. While on that printing sales job, God gave me many opportunities to share the gospel. He is using my experiences in the printing world to publish more personal productions for myself and others.
So God works. Are there really any mistakes if God uses them and conforms them or makes them His plan for our lives and others?
The question is…how do we now live as we grow in our understanding of how we were divinely designed?
This post will be continued next week and will include a free tool that can be used to help you explore the answer to the above question.
Blessings to you as you live out this one unique you designed by God.
Growing into who He designed us to be is definitely a journey. I’m still learning along the way too. I know I still haven’t discovered it all, but bit by bit He shows us what we need to know. Grateful for what He’s taught me so far!
great post
So good…I have made a major mid-life change myself! The Lord clearly spoke, I was timid, afraid, but I knew He was in it. So I took the plunge! He was right! And He was there for me…it’s never too late. Thank you for the encouragement!
That’s encouraging to hear…thanks for sharing your own experience. Your short comment came to me later in the day yesterday after I read it. It seemed to bolster me a bit in something we’re thinking about doing. Blessings to you…
Oh how this speaks to me. The quote do what you are is simple but oh so profound. I remember years ago the little negative comments I received back from a coworker when I suggested it was possible to work doing something you love.
Hopefully the naysayer only made you want to do it more! Blessings to you as you seek to live out God’s call on your life…
Good Morning, This post leaped out at me! I still cry out to God daily for His creative wisdom. I also want to sew (well), write and create. I m a stay at home keeper. Our two children are adults and both so busy. I will be 57 in a couple of months. We started to adopt last year, and we stopped it.Because I could not do it…
And this is to say, I will still seek the next thing,, He has put in my heart!
I am not a failure! Just needing the right situation for me!
Blessings,Roxy
Thanks for sharing what’s on your heart. I think our hearts ache our whole lives to do what we are. Keep moving toward what you think that is! I have a feeling you’ve already been doing much of it as a mom! Blessings…
I believe that everything happens for a reason. What I mean is we go through things in life because God has a purpose. I believe that it is in the bible that our destiny was already set before we are born. Can we change our destiny? That I dont know.
My purpose in life is that I can live it as God intended me to be. Bringing glory to his name. Right now, I love my work and I believe God is using me there to bring joy to the elderly. Through blogging I can share God’s goodness in every area of my life. I must say that God made this possible for me.
Anyway, thanks for visiting my blog and I appreciate it very much. By the way, love your post:)
Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts. What a blessing–to be able to love your work–feeling used by God and glorifying Him! So many of us only hope for that our entire lives! Thanks for stopping by….
Follow your God-given dreams and never let go! That’s the way how God leads you. And know that God waste nothing. Every thing of your past will be used for His glory. Abundant blessings to you as you courageously follow his leading. Thank you for an open and honest post!
Thank you for your encouragement. I especially like that — “God wastes nothing” — I have found this to be true. So true. Blessings…
Still learning! You said so much that hit me square between the heart and the brain. I have ‘done’ and ‘been’ some things that I know I was led to do and be. I have ‘done’ some things that just got me by for the time being, yet God ALWAYS had lessons for me. Now, I am rediscovering the call for this time in my life as I grow older. Thanks for a fine post.
(And, by the way, your sidebar photography show is wonderful…it distracted me again and again as I was reading for there were so many photos that I just had to see!!
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Thank you so much for you encouragement on the photography and this post. It’s always helpful to me to know that others experience the same stuff in life and that we sisters in Christ are all growing in some way in figuring out God, others and ourselves.
That was a harsh comment from your friend – it made me sad. We’re blessed in our generation – to be able to choose to pursue our giftings – when until the turn of the century, most people didn’t have those kinds of choices. Yet, God created each person through history for the time they would lived in – equipped us with the best. I don’t think God is surprised how you got where you are, that maybe it wasn’t a mistake. It was a journey to him – and as that journey evolves – and we walk that journey with Him, He reveals who we were created to be – layer by layer. I wasn’t ready for it way back in college. I did, however, take one step at a time – toward Him:) I’m not sure how much of that journey was mistake driven or plan driven – but I am glad it is now God-driven:) Loved reading your article – I’ve had the heart of a writer since I was 6 – it amazes me how much the entire writing field has changed since college:)
I loved your comment. It just wrapped up my post for me in my heart. “He reveals who we were created to be layer by layer.” And whatever it was driving us–we can know that ultimately it ends with being God driven. What a comfort. Thanks for stopping by and commenting…
We were designed to worship God! No matter what we do, do it for the glory of God and then He will be worshiped.
You write beautifully.
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Thank you…and what a sweet prayer site you have. Thanks for visiting…
You have shared great thoughts here. Recently I took a chance to do something I would have ordinarily not done & I have been blessed by stepping out. May we dare to do things for Him & leave the outcome to Him. Thank you for sharing these thoughts today.
I visited from Still Saturday, although it is now Sunday 🙂
Have a blessed Sunday!
Joanne
Thank you for sharing that you have been blessed recently by taking a step out in faith. I need to hear those stories!
This is such a gift to do what your heart desires for a job or career, but even then, We should always look at the reason and why we do what we do. As long as the words of our Hans is for God’s glory, it is holy word!
Much love XX
Mia
Very wise…this is true. I have caught myself (realizing later) that I was serving for selfish motives. Not pretty…never ends well. Thanks for visiting…
I think I could have written this post myself. I have spent way too much of my life doing what others said I should or shouldn’t instead of listening to the call God has placed on my heart. Follow your dreams sweet, sister!
Thank you…and you too. There are no mistakes right? God is going to use them!
Wow Amy! I didn’t realize we have so much in common. I’m also 41 and taking photos and writing are my two passions. I think I’m my worse critic though when it comes to writing. I find myself doubting what I do, but like you said, when He calls us, He will also do the work through us. Thanks, Salina http://www.heartreflected.com
Thanks for bringing that to my attention…isn’t it funny how God has similar people doing similar things? I enjoyed reading about you today. I pray God would bless others as you share your life and all God has and is teaching you. Blessings….
That’s probably the best definition of God’s calling or “will” for us that I’ve read- thank you for sharing it and your thoughts on the topic. For what it’s worth- you blog is one of a few that I have contact with that strikes me as “professional grade”. Keep pursuing- you have talent/gifts.
Well that made my day! Thanks so much…you don’t know how much that means…your comment on this post and the blog. It helps me to see that maybe this desire to write really is something God made me to do. Even though I know in my head all of this calling stuff–I still question at times! Blessings….
So happy to find your blog through Titus2sdays. Amazing thoughts I’ve mulled in my mind many many times. I love how you draw us to the fact that God is still working in all our decisions — even when hindsight reveals their flaws. Thanks so much!
That IS comforting isn’t it? God can use what we think are mistakes. Thanks so much for visiting…
I found you via the link-up at the alabaster jar, and I’m glad I clicked. I love this topic! One of my biggest “soapboxes” is that we all need to operate from our strengths (instead of always trying to improve our weaknesses) and choose work and activities that compliment our unique design–our set of gifts, interests, and experiences.
I also believe that children should be educated according to their interests as well, and given a lot more guidance when it comes to choosing careers. We don’t have to accept mediocrity, we can thrive and enjoy life if we will “listen” to how we were made and do the things that fit!
Thanks for the affirmation in what I am thinking and writing on…and for stopping by!
Oh how I can join you in having heard all those criticisms. But you are write, doing what you love is not selfish…it is honoring to God! I love your tenacity to pursue where He leads! Your passion to please Him and follow your dreams, gives us all hope to believe in ourselves…all hope to do,..the “dream/gift/calling” God has put in us! Thank you!
Thank you for some affirmation that it is not selfish! Glad this gives some hope…thanks for stopping by!