Myths about your calling
Monday, July 25, 2011 at 9:52AM MYTHS ABOUT CALLING:
Calling happens more quickly for others.
No. What we see as 'success' in another is merely the long and arduous accumulation of tears, testing and time. We're merely seeing them on this particular summit. Calling shouldn't be thought of in terms of months or years; but often, decades.
The journey of calling shouldn't be this hard.
No. As John Churton Collins says, a person often fails "because he thinks what is difficult is easy."
Your calling is only valuable when you're getting paid or recognized for it.
No. You know your true art and calling when you're willing to do it whether or not anyone sees it or pays for it. You do it because your heart won't let you do anything less. I've tried several times to quit: I couldn't. My heart wouldn't let it go.
Impact is measured by newsletter subscribers and social media "reach."
No. None of these existed when Jesus healed dying bodies or launched human history's defining revolution. Paul and Barnabas received their direction from the Holy Spirit to "go there" or "avoid that town" increasing the Gospel's "reach" and rootedness. Technology can be a tremendous vehicle for delivering our message, but there is no substitute for the direct voice of the Holy Spirit and his outpowering of power.
Taking up your cross is the opposite of following your heart's desire.
No. As a Christian, your heart is now alive with the very goodness of Jesus. The desires of that heart are noble and ought to be pursued. [Your 'flesh' may have other, ignoble desires, but we're talking about your new heart's desires here.] Taking up our cross and following our heart's desire are the same thing. Following your heart's desire and calling may be the hardest thing you could ever pursue. But that's what noble people do.
You and your calling are already fully approved: I can hear the Stadium of Witnesses roar with the Lion.
Related posts:
Futility is a man's deepest fear
What does calling have to do with your heart?
Podcast: 'Calling As a Journey:' with guest Gary Barkalow, author of "It's Your Call"
Reader Comments (4)
Jim...
I can certainly relate to your personal comment about almost quitting several times...that is so true...there is something about our calling that continues to reach out to our heart, to our desires...is that why it's called a "calling", due to the fact that it is always calling to us...not sure...I know that i have tried to give up my passion as well but there is something that continues to draw me back, I stand at the bottom of the mountain and look at the climb and think, is it worth the effort? But what's the alternative...to live a dead lief(or heart) and not bring to the world the gift that God has given is...
Peace,
Doug
Hey Doug -- So true -- the alternative to giving up our calling is deadness of heart. If we shut that down, we shut other areas down, and aren't bringing the life others need from us. Great point.
Hey Jim,
Great stuff, and right in line with the direction of what God has been underlining in my heart recently. Have been doing a series in our house fellowship on true Biblical success. Posted thoughts from the first teaching last week: www.carrollsuganda.com/blog.
The Lord is challenging me more than ever to simply give myself fully to Him and leave the results to Him, whether anyone but Him recognizes it as worthwhile, fruitful, or "successful."
Keep at it!
Dave
Hey Dave! Doesn't it feel like we weren't trained for this part of the Story and our story?
Jesus' own self-promotion and marketing plan is so unconventional -- in at least one case, he *avoids an opportunity for exposure and his brothers think he's nuts to do so: "It's not yet my time..." doesn't preach well. You can't ride that one to the bank.
I love his wisdom -- so counter-intuitive.