Many people wonder what call God has on their lives. What does God want them to do? Some people already feel certain they are called to be pastors or leaders, servants or mothers. Everyone who is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has been called, but what exactly have they been called to do?
Let’s start first by understanding what a call from God is. Is it hearing that still small voice of God actually calling you into a line of work? Is it a feeling or pull in a certain direction? When we look to God’s Word, here is the verse that I find most suiting to explain what God’s calling looks like:
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
God’s calling is being chosen as God’s own people to proclaim His praises because He has called you out of darkness and into His Kingdom. This is everyone’s call, no matter who you are. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom like me, a pastor, a student, a store clerk, a fitness buff, or any title you have given yourself. None of those things can define you or have any determination on your place in God’s Kingdom.
I believe there are four aspects of God’s calling on our lives: Worship and Praise, Glorifying God, Being Christ’s Ambassador, and Our Commission.
Worship and Praise
Each believer is first called to live a life that set apart for the purpose of worshiping God and expounding His praises.
everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. Isaiah 43:7
the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise. Isaiah 43:21
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-38
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
Glorifying God
We are called to live a holy life that shows our lifestyle of worship and praise. This glorifies God to others and leads into the next part of our call.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Being Christ’s Ambassador
We are Christ’s ambassadors – that means wherever we are we are representing the Lord Jesus Christ. The way we live, speak, but most of all the way we worship and submit to Him, reflects to others our amazing God.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-6
Our Commission
Our commission or command from God is to go out into all the world and preach the gospel and to bring Jesus healing power and break oppressive chains from the enemy.
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Isaiah 58:6-7
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Mark 16:15
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Luke 4:18-19
These aspects of God’s call are for every believer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t also be called to a specific occupation, office, or role in life. However, these roles or jobs are secondary to your call to worship God and live a life set apart for Him. There is no higher calling than this.
If you are struggling to find your call or know what God wants you to do, start with praise and worship and do everything to glorify Him. A humble heart that seeks after righteousness is all God needs from you to use you mightily in this world.
