How To Know What Your Calling Is From God
Wondering what God’s special plan is for your life? You’re not alone. Many people grapple with understanding their divine calling and purpose. The good news is that with prayer, self-reflection, and paying attention to how God made you, you can begin to unlock His unique intentions for your life.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: listen for God’s voice through Scripture, the counsel of others, your passions and talents, and pay attention to the circumstances and opportunities God puts in your life as signposts directing you toward His purposes for you.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore time-tested and spiritually-grounded ways to understand your calling, including examining your talents and desires, seeking wise counsel, understanding confirmation signs from God, and more.
Examine Your Talents, Passions, and Desires
Take Inventory of Your Skills and Interests
Taking stock of your natural talents and developed skills can provide insight into what you may be called to do. Make a list of things you are good at or that come easily to you. Also list interests you have cultivated over the years. Look for overlap between your innate abilities and passions.
For example, if you excel at writing and also care deeply about education, you may be called to teach English or start a tutoring business.
What Energizes You and Brings You Joy?
Pay attention to the endeavors that get you excited and make time fly by. If certain activities energize and invigorate you, that is a sign you may be meant to focus your efforts there. For instance, if planning events or solving complex organization problems makes you feel alive, you could be called to a career in event planning or business consulting.
Seek ways to incorporate what enlivens you into your work.
What Problems Do You Want to Help Solve?
Think about issues in the world that bother you and that you feel compelled to do something about. If your heart breaks for the homeless or those suffering from illness, you may feel called to work at a shelter or pursue medicine.
Or if you are distressed about environmental destruction, you may want to make ecological sustainability your life’s focus. Allow the problems that keep you up at night to point you toward possible purposes.
As Frederick Buechner said, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
Spend Time Reading Scripture
Spending time reading and meditating on Scripture is one of the best ways to discern God’s calling for your life. Here are some tips for using Bible reading to reveal your purpose:
Read with an Open Heart
Approach your Bible reading with an openness to hear from God. Pray before you begin reading and ask God to speak to you through His Word. Be ready to write down thoughts and verses that stand out.
Look for Patterns and Themes
As you read through books of the Bible, notice if there are any reoccurring themes or patterns that emerge. For example, you may notice the theme of justice appearing repeatedly. This could indicate an area God is calling you to focus on.
Pay Attention to Your Spiritual Gifts
Make a list of the spiritual gifts you seem to possess such as teaching, administration, encouragement, etc. Then look for areas of need that align with your gifts as you read Scripture. This can reveal how God intends for you to use your gifts.
Notice What Captures Your Attention
Make special note when particular verses or passages jump out at you or capture your imagination. These sections of Scripture that grip your heart likely relate to the calling God has for you.
Look for Needs Around You
As you read God’s Word, notice the people and places Jesus focused on serving – the poor, sick, marginalized, and brokenhearted. Ask God to show you similar needs in your community that He may be calling you to meet.
Talk With Mentors
Discuss what you are learning from your Bible reading with a pastor, small group leader, or mature believer you trust. They may be able to provide confirmation or insight into how God is speaking to you.
Consistently spending time in Scripture, with an ear sensitive to God’s voice, will reveal His purpose and plan for your life. As you read the Bible with wisdom and discernment, your calling will become clearer and clearer.
Seek Counsel from Mentors and Community
Ask Spiritually Mature Friends
Seeking counsel from spiritually mature friends is one of the best ways to discern your calling from God. Friends who have walked with God for many years have great wisdom to offer. They can provide guidance, share insights from their own experiences, and give perspective on determining God’s will for your life.
Here are some tips for gaining counsel from mature believers:
- Approach friends who exhibit spiritual depth and whose lives reflect wisdom, humility and integrity.
- Ask open-ended questions about how they discovered their calling and gained direction for their lives.
- Inquire about any principles, practices or spiritual disciplines that helped them discern God’s voice and will.
- Request that they pray for you and provide any Scriptures, resources or practical steps they recommend.
- Listen humbly and prayerfully consider their counsel without feeling pressure to immediately act on every suggestion.
The book of Proverbs says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). Seeking input from multiple spiritually mature friends provides invaluable perspective that enlightens your path.
Meet with Pastors or Spiritual Leaders
Arranging meetings with pastors, ministry leaders and other spiritual mentors is another excellent way to gain wisdom regarding your calling. These individuals have devoted their lives to understanding God’s Word and ways.
Their insights and experience can help you evaluate your gifts, passions and opportunities in light of biblical principles.
Here are some recommendations for meeting with spiritual leaders:
- Schedule appointments to meet one-on-one rather than just casual conversations before or after services.
- Come prepared with specific questions about determining your calling and open your heart to hear their perspectives.
- Ask for advice based on their observations of your spiritual gifts and involvement in ministry over the years.
- Inquire if they are aware of any particular needs or opportunities where your gifts may be a fit.
- Request clarity on any Scriptures, resources or next steps they recommend to guide your process.
Gaining input from pastors and ministry leaders provides an informed external perspective on how God may be leading you. Their insights, combined with counsel from spiritually mature friends, can bring tremendous clarity and confirmation regarding your calling.
Look for Signposts and Confirmation
Pay Attention to Recurring Themes and Patterns
As you engage in prayer and Scripture study, God often reveals His calling and guidance through recurring themes, patterns, and nudges. For example, you may develop a growing desire to serve in your local church, teach children,
Pay close attention to these reappearing promptings. They likely indicate where God wants to lead you. Also note any divine appointments or timely conversations that reinforce a particular path. These signspost God’s preferred direction.
Write them in a prayer journal to discern His voice through life’s noise.
Notice Opportunities God Opens Up
Besides highlighting a specific route, God charts your calling by making key opportunities available. Doors that He opens according to His purpose signal where He wants you to go. Track the chances He provides whether through
His gracious enablement shows His plans.
For example, an aspiring teacher unexpectedly gains experience tutoring at her church. This confirms the teaching path. Thank God for each open door and walk through with expectancy and obedience. Cooperating with Him leads straight into His intended destiny.
Commit to Ongoing Prayer and Listening
Seeking God’s calling requires committing to ongoing prayer and attentive listening. This involves setting aside regular time to commune with God through prayer, Bible study, worship, and reflection. Here are some tips for cultivating a lifestyle of listening to God’s voice:
Schedule Daily Prayer Times
Set aside at least 15-30 minutes each day to spend with God. Block off the time on your calendar and protect it as an important appointment. Find a quiet space to pray and eliminate distractions. Come to God with an open and humble heart, ready to hear from Him.
Read and Study Scripture
God often speaks through His Word. Make Bible reading a daily habit. Meditate on passages that stand out to you. Ask God to reveal His truth and how it applies to your life. Let the Scriptures guide your thoughts and decisions throughout the day.
Practice Silent Meditation
After presenting your requests to God, sit quietly in His presence. Silence your thoughts and emotions to focus on God. This allows space for the Holy Spirit to speak to your spirit. Pay attention to any promptings, pictures, or direction you receive.
Worship Regularly
Attending church services and worshiping with other believers helps tune our hearts to God’s voice. As we sing praise and listen to biblical teaching, we draw near to God and align our will with His. The community of faith encourages and equips us to follow God’s leading.
Journal Your Thoughts and Prayers
Writing down your prayers, reflections after Bible study, and thoughts from your quiet times provides a record of how God is speaking to you. Reviewing your journal over time reveals patterns of God’s work in your life. It helps cement biblical truths and discern God’s direction.
Discuss with Mature Christians
Seek input about major life decisions from mentors and wise older believers. Their godly counsel and spiritual discernment helps test whether certain desires align with God’s will. Shared wisdom from fellow Christians helps tune our ears to God’s voice.
Developing a routine of daily spiritual disciplines positions us to hear from God regularly. As we commune with the Lord in prayer and study, our minds become saturated in His Word and His Spirit. Then we recognize His voice leading us forward in His purposes.
Conclusion
Discovering your purpose and calling from God requires patience, faith, and wisdom. But by intentionally carving out time for self-examination, prayer, and listening, you can begin moving closer to understanding the special plans God has for your life.
Remember that this is a journey – expect signposts along the way, rather than instant clarity. Stay rooted in Scripture, seek godly community, and listen for God’s voice through the circumstances and opportunities He provides you.
As you take steps of faith in aligning your life around your emerging sense of calling, you’ll experience the joy, meaning, and fulfillment that comes with living out God’s intentions for your life.
