A question I often hear, "Can my calling change?"
My answer: Clearly! Very few people sense they are called to be doing the same thing at 70 they were doing at 17.
In the Bible, Moses starts off as enslaved baby, becomes a royal family member, justice-fighter, fugitive, shepherd, spokesperson, deliverer, leader, law-giver...
In modern career and work, your calling may change. Can you know when it does?
I write to those who are willing to periodically ask that question. And be open to the idea that it may be time to leave, seek promotion, get education, seek counsel, get your resume together or start creating a business plan.
Truly, it's important to periodically ask "What am I called to do... now?"
[cryout-pullquote s no hierarchical order to these)
1.You've been getting no joy in what you've been doing for a long time now.
Of course, some callings are hard and stretch us. However, one of the fruits of following God is "joy." If what you do for much of your day and much of your week is "joyless," is this really what you should be doing long term?Of course, there are seasons to suck it up, but should your calling be joyless or at least low on the joy meter? Really?
2. Your spouse can't support what you're doing.
If you're married, there's no one else who knows you better or who has as much to gain or lose by what you're doing. If you point-blank ask them, "Do you believe what I'm doing is my real calling?" what will they say?If they say, "I'd think you'd be much happier elsewhere...." that may just be a significant telltale sign!
3. You can't sense God's "pleasure" in your work.
I feel really old when I use this example (and I am!) but I never got over hearing Eric Liddle's words to his sister Jenny in the movie Chariots of Fire when she challenges his calling as a runner. He tells her point blank, "When I run I feel His pleasure."So, when you do what feel that.... And if you don't "feel His pleasure," might that be a telltale sign you're not in your calling. Yes, it's totally subjective.... but you really do know it when you do and you know it when you don't.
Do you sense God's pleasure?
4. Your work continually disrupts your higher values.
If one of your highest values is family, and your work constantly takes you away from being with and serving your family, you may be in the wrong place.Or if one of your highest values is integrity and your work cause you to continually lie, stretch the truth or do things that aren't best for others, you may be in the wrong place.
5. You create conflict to your work instead of peace.
Our work should make others lives better, not worse. So, if others around us feel stressed by us and want to avoid us, might that be a sign we're not in the right place?6. You can't get your mind off another dream or vision.
So, you're googling the business you'd rather be in and constantly thinking about an entrepreneurial scenario or a different opportunity. Or you're really passionate about a non-profit venture or business as mission start-up. Might this be a telltale sign you're being called elsewhere?7. You can't imagine doing what you're doing 3 years from now.
That one speaks for itself!8. Your health is being compromised by your current work and lifestyle.
If what you're doing is doing you in, you may need to look elsewhere.I was working in one job and put on 25 pounds in about two years. Was this really what I was to be doing? Was my own weight gain a sign I wasn't thriving? My answer was yes!
9. You said "no" to something else for all the wrong reasons.
I've met some people who said "no" to something because it "didn't offer enough money." It "didn't give them a high enough place in the org chart."Now, they wonder if they said "no" for the wrong reasons.
10. Your closest friends or advisers are encouraging you to do something else.
Sometimes, the best wisdom needs to come from listening to others. Let them see what you may be missing.Conclusion
OK, so you be the judge. Did any or some of these make you think, "I may not be in my calling."No, you may not need to do something today... but then again you may!
PS. You likely know at least one or two people who could benefit and be encouraged by this post. In the most loving way, please do Like or Share it with them. They may not thank you now... however....
Sign Up Here to stay connected to others on this "convergence" journey and to receive a copy of my free tool: Passion Finder 2.o
A question I often hear, "Can my calling change?"
My answer: Clearly! Very few people sense they are called to be doing the same thing at 70 they were doing at 17.
In the Bible, Moses starts off as enslaved baby, becomes a royal family member, justice-fighter, fugitive, shepherd, spokesperson, deliverer, leader, law-giver...
In modern career and work, your calling may change. Can you know when it does?
I write to those who are willing to periodically ask that question. And be open to the idea that it may be time to leave, seek promotion, get education, seek counsel, get your resume together or start creating a business plan.
Truly, it's important to periodically ask "What am I called to do... now?"
[cryout-pullquote s no hierarchical order to these)
1.You've been getting no joy in what you've been doing for a long time now.
Of course, some callings are hard and stretch us. However, one of the fruits of following God is "joy." If what you do for much of your day and much of your week is "joyless," is this really what you should be doing long term?Of course, there are seasons to suck it up, but should your calling be joyless or at least low on the joy meter? Really?
2. Your spouse can't support what you're doing.
If you're married, there's no one else who knows you better or who has as much to gain or lose by what you're doing. If you point-blank ask them, "Do you believe what I'm doing is my real calling?" what will they say?If they say, "I'd think you'd be much happier elsewhere...." that may just be a significant telltale sign!
3. You can't sense God's "pleasure" in your work.
I feel really old when I use this example (and I am!) but I never got over hearing Eric Liddle's words to his sister Jenny in the movie Chariots of Fire when she challenges his calling as a runner. He tells her point blank, "When I run I feel His pleasure."So, when you do what feel that.... And if you don't "feel His pleasure," might that be a telltale sign you're not in your calling. Yes, it's totally subjective.... but you really do know it when you do and you know it when you don't.
Do you sense God's pleasure?
4. Your work continually disrupts your higher values.
If one of your highest values is family, and your work constantly takes you away from being with and serving your family, you may be in the wrong place.Or if one of your highest values is integrity and your work cause you to continually lie, stretch the truth or do things that aren't best for others, you may be in the wrong place.
5. You create conflict to your work instead of peace.
Our work should make others lives better, not worse. So, if others around us feel stressed by us and want to avoid us, might that be a sign we're not in the right place?6. You can't get your mind off another dream or vision.
So, you're googling the business you'd rather be in and constantly thinking about an entrepreneurial scenario or a different opportunity. Or you're really passionate about a non-profit venture or business as mission start-up. Might this be a telltale sign you're being called elsewhere?7. You can't imagine doing what you're doing 3 years from now.
That one speaks for itself!8. Your health is being compromised by your current work and lifestyle.
If what you're doing is doing you in, you may need to look elsewhere.I was working in one job and put on 25 pounds in about two years. Was this really what I was to be doing? Was my own weight gain a sign I wasn't thriving? My answer was yes!
9. You said "no" to something else for all the wrong reasons.
I've met some people who said "no" to something because it "didn't offer enough money." It "didn't give them a high enough place in the org chart."Now, they wonder if they said "no" for the wrong reasons.
10. Your closest friends or advisers are encouraging you to do something else.
Sometimes, the best wisdom needs to come from listening to others. Let them see what you may be missing.Conclusion
OK, so you be the judge. Did any or some of these make you think, "I may not be in my calling."No, you may not need to do something today... but then again you may!
PS. You likely know at least one or two people who could benefit and be encouraged by this post. In the most loving way, please do Like or Share it with them. They may not thank you now... however....
Sign Up Here to stay connected to others on this "convergence" journey and to receive a copy of my free tool: Passion Finder 2.o !
