There are some people who just seem to know what they’re called to do from the very beginning. My brother knew even before conception that he was destined to become a solicitor! Whilst he worked hard for all his achievements, there are other people, myself being one, who also work hard, but frequently struggle to discover their life’s calling.
An important part of our calling is what we do for a career: an accountant, a nurse or to work with disadvantaged teenagers. Whatever we’re called to, when we discover the career or calling that suits every part of who we are, we will have a sense of peace or 'šālôm' (Matt 25:23, Psalm 16:11). The reason for this is that when we work according to our God-given ability, personality, skills and a number of other considerations, we will inevitably work according to the design that God set for our lives.
A star career-coach!
Science has given us an amazing range of telescopes to view deeper into the universe. If we restricted our star gazing to just using our eyes all we would see is visible light which represents only a tiny portion of what there is to see. However advanced telescopes allow us to view right across the electromagnetic spectrum, revealing awesome views of deep space.
When looking for God’s guidance many of us restrict ourselves to just the ‘visible light’ portion of God’s revelation, without realising that God can chose to speak to us, for example about our career direction, in any number of ways or ‘frequencies’. This blog gives some suggestions to help you detect the ‘beyond-visible-light’ portion of God’s revelation spectrum!
Detecting all sorts of ‘light’
When a range telescopes observe a distant object in space varying light frequencies produce different views, which can then be combined to produce a single picture. This composite image offers a view that is far more complete than anything a single telescope could produce on its own:
Detecting God’s plan and purpose
God will always call you to something for which He has placed inside of you the potential skills, personality and other necessary attributes (Ex 31:3). But let’s be honest, hearing from God and trying to understand where we should direct our careers or shape the direction of our calling can be really a confusing process.
The confirmation chart, at the bottom of this page, is designed to coach you to pick up the different ways that God can speak to us about our calling or career. The chart will capture a number of factors through which He could be speaking to us – creating a composite image of what God has planned for you.
Just as using an infra-red image will only show you the red portion of light coming from a distant galaxy, concentrating solely on one factor to determine your career direction, such as what are my skills, will give you a similarly limited understanding of what God is calling you could do.
To create a true ‘image’ of your calling, you need to consider a number of factors, which are found in the Confirmation chart. If you use this it will help you to see or hear more clearly from God about your next steps.
1) Qualifications
Suggestion: If you don’t have the correct qualifications for the job this could mean a return to college. Make sure you’re being realistic about your goals and ask yourself if you will be able to hit the grades!
2) Related experience
Suggestion: Assess what you’ve done in the past. Can you gain relevant experience through a sideways move at work or by doing voluntary work? Not only will relevant experience help you into a job but it will also help you to confirm your ability in this area.
3) Known ability
Suggestion: It’s essential that you know what you’re good at doing. If you don’t know, then do an assessment, ask close friends and family, and review your past successes. God will only call you to something that matches either your present or potential skill set. For example, if you cannot impart knowledge then teaching is probably not for you!
4) Personality fit
Suggestion: If you’re a square peg, don’t force yourself into a round hole! If you’re a creative type, you’ll find work in a procedure-bound nuclear power station frustrating!
5) Heart’s desire
Suggestion: You know those deep desires in your heart? Well, they were put there by God. Spend some quality time getting in touch with these desires, and then pursue them!
6) Prophetic confirmation
Suggestion: Prophetic encouragement is extremely valuable because it will encourage and confirm your calling. It will never contradict scripture and it will never contradict all the above factors in your calling.
7) Confirmation from others
Suggestion: The Bible recommends that we seek the counsel of others. However, be wise about who you ask, and make sure they have your best interests at heart. Ask for genuine feedback on your suitability for a certain career/role, and not platitudes!
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