Thoughts on Calling and Mission

​Breaking the concept of Calling and Mission

What’s your calling? What’s your Mission? What a loaded concept for those of us in our 20s. The word itself seems so daunting as it can tend to seem like we have to have our lives figured out with the stamp of God’s approval over it. We tend to worry because we think, what is God’s call on my life? What am I going to be doing? Or is this my call on life? We tend to get caught up on so many of the “What” we are suppose to do, that we tend to lose track of the “why” we live. Let me expand.

When I think back to my earlier years in a Christian College, I get flooded with memories of spontaneity, fun, and irresponsibility. Yet in the midst of those fun times, there was also this daunting voice in my head that always said, “somewhere within these four years you better figure out your direction in life”. Most of us back then used to sink into anxiety over our lack of what we would do, while some of us just chose to push it out of our minds hoping that the calling would just fall into place over time. It also didn’t help that freshmen in Christian Colleges often ask loaded Holy questions such as “What is God teaching you in this season?” Or “what’s your direction in life?” on the daily.

Yet today, what I want to tell you readers that after having experienced the past 5 years in College (I took a little break in between J)… Stop trying to have your life completely figured out. We often say that Calling is God given; yet we act as if it’s our responsibility to figure out your future. We need to stop worrying about “what we are going to do” and focus on “why are we living for God”. I believe a solid posture of your heart trumps having your life figured out. I believe that God always reveals the steps you are to take, but definitely not all at once. It would be arrogant to demand from God your life’s plan when He is more interested in taking you through the process than getting you to the destination. I mean look at the Israelites for Pete’s sake. They were wandering in the desert for 40 years! Needless to say, although the desert was tough, it was also full of miracles, and opportunities to grow for them to be prepared for what is to come.

My Personal Journey

For me personally, I guess I had a general direction of what I felt God was calling me towards, but to be honest, after all this time, it seems in some ways more unsure than ever, but also narrower as God opens doors while closing others.

I used to think that Youth ministry was my calling. I believed that High School students are the demographic that needs to know Christ the most. I used to think that they needed to know Christ because adolescence is a time where a person develops into who they are meant to be. I used to think that High School is the perfect timing in which a student can comprehend what they are taught while also being young enough to be moldable. Therefore I had little interest in serving in ministries that are too old or too young. I thought that God had for sure “called” me to this ministry.

Ironically I am currently serving as a Children’s pastor at my current church. Since my freshmen year, I went through many experiences that showed that I have much to learn as a minister, as well as the importance of all ministries. At this point in my life, I view the place of my life right now is my calling in which to live by. More than focusing on what I thought I needed to become, I think I’m called currently to live faithfully to where God has placed me now. My calling is obedience, openness, and trust as God leads me into the places where He is going to take me.

Ultimately…

Don’t get me wrong, sometimes God reveals everything to people and gives people very distinct callings…I mean He’s God, lets not limiting what He can or can’t do. But what I am saying is this… Don’t worry if you feel life isn’t going as you expected, or you don’t know what you want to do. I think God calls us to be faithful and obedient to where He has placed each and every one of us.

Although I may not be the Youth Pastor I’d thought I’d be, I feel like I am still in the right place. And I feel that God has me exactly where He has called me to be, because in my season there is much to learn, much to try, and much to abide by. I’m sure He will lead me into different places, but as for now, my calling is a Children’s Pastor, Student, and loving brother and son.

So what about you? What’s your calling? Where has God told you to be content, faithful, obedient, and trusting in your life?