Over the years I have met many gifted, aware, devoted people who felt lost, stuck or paralyzed in the pursuit of their calling. Then, of course, I have my own paralysis. Every story and conversation about this issue has caused me to ask “why”.
We have all acted out of what we have believed (be it falsehood or truth) or what we have owned about ourselves at a deep heart level. So, I have scribbled down a few ideas that I will think will help to counter the debilitating ideas that float around concerning the issue of calling.
Go with what you know. You are only responsible for what you currently know, keeping in mind that what you know is partial and incomplete. Walk in the clarity that God has given you – only then will He give you more.
Let go of what you don’t love. Coming to grips with what you don’t love is valuable – it’s not wasted time. We waste a lot of time and energy feeling guilty and condemned over the things that we are not passionate about.
Live like an artist. Develop and create your art simply because you love it, not for a paycheck, approval or promotion.
Keep income and calling separate in your thinking. Don’t complicate things by putting these two together. At some point, they may merge, but one must not be dependent on the other.
“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”-John Wooden. Start creating and offering what God has put in you with whatever resources you have in terms available time, technology, contacts, and opportunities. Don’t wait for someone to endorse or “anoint” you, for “large” audiences, a paycheck, position, title or a degree.
God is simply asking us to live honestly and generously in the place we are already in. We must offer the brilliance, strength, beauty, abundance, and splendor God has given us. Walking in our calling does not often require a big transition or life change like quitting a job, starting something new, or living somewhere else.
The development of the weightiness of our life is of utmost importance. Growth always includes knowledge, experience/experimentation, being mentored / coached / modeled, time for assimilation and maturing (fermentation).
Don’t wait for things to be “ideal” – Don’t wait for a job or position offer, endorsements, a certain amount in savings or an inheritance, or a close community of friends and allies to begin walking out your call.
God is comfortable with your trying. God is not afraid and you are not in great danger…if your idea has passed the “moral” and “ethical” filter and you understand your role (husband / wife, father / mother, employee, etc.). Get the perspective of others. Just ask – people are always willing to lend their insight to you.
1 Samuel 10:6,7 The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power…and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.
There is a difference between waiting on God and procrastination, between moving in faith with an assurance of God’s love and striving.
Trying to understand the difference and living on the right side,
Gary
Loved your thoughts here, Gary. Weigh good!!!
The statement that is perhaps most important is keep income and calling separate issues. Indeed. I suspect that this is where most folks get frustrated and confused….’n all that. Thanks for this insight. Apostle Paul comes to mind…the dude who made tents (income) in order to pursue his callin’.
This is really helpful. “Go with what you know” is such a freeing perspective. Thanks Gary.
Great post Gary, would love to have a facebook, or twitter link on the post though, so I could retweet, or post on Facebook.
peace.
hb
“There is a difference between waiting on God and procrastination, between moving in faith with an assurance of God’s love and striving.”
Very true, Gary. Sometimes it’s a fine line and discernment can be difficult…’m learning that peace or lack of it is a definite road sign to keep us on the right path.
Gary, This is really encouraging!
“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – I so needed to hear that!
Oh my, this is so powerful and on point!
Gary, thank you so much for this.
“God is comfortable with your trying.”
I have fought and been burdened my what I’ve felt is my inability to execute as well as I expect of myself. I’ve felt desperation in things moving too slow. And I’ve blamed myself. As I prayed last fall, I was just weeping over not getting it done. And God said “I love what you’re doing but I didn’t intend the drivenness.” And it just broke me that it wasn’t something I was screwing up. I feel it again this morning. It feels as though I’m not moving as fast as my calling, that God’s waiting on me. And I feel a burden that he’s disappointed or impatient. It just crushes me sometimes.
Thank you for the permission to do what I can where I am, with a good heart and pure motives.
Judy and I are praying for you and Leigh and all of the great things in your calling.
Doug
You’re not supposed to get 9 home runs with just 1 swing… But you did!
There is enough meat there for an entire life time. Your glory and insight is running out of the cup and all over us all. Thanks.
Wow! This is great stuff, Gary. This one really nailed me:
“Don’t wait for someone to endorse or “anoint” you, for “large” audiences, a paycheck, position, title or a degree.” The John Wooden quote is very similar to something our pastor said years ago. He said “Act on what you know. When you fail to act on what you know, all that you don’t know will paralyze you.” Thanks again for an awesome experience last weekend.
Blessings,
Jack
Jack – This blog nailed it for me, too. Your quote, “When you fail to act on what you know, all that you don’t know will paralyze you,” is exactly where I’m at right now. It’s a fear-based, faithless paralysis. I’ve got to get moving, like David at Ziklag (I Sam. 30:6), and strengthen myself in the Lord.
Gary,
I keep coming back to that “Live Like An Artist” point you’ve made up here on your blog and in the book. Great stuff!!
Thanks,
Chad
This is so timely .. ..
I really, really needed to hear this today!
I am posting this somewhere in my house and sharing it on Facebook!
Thank you for your wonderful insights and beautiful words!
“There is a difference between waiting on God and procrastination, between moving in faith with an assurance of God’s love and striving.”
“Go with what you know. You are only responsible for what you currently know, keeping in mind that what you know is partial and incomplete. Walk in the clarity that God has given you – only then will He give you more.”
I have found myself battling these issue all year waiting for some supernatural experience to happen so that I can move forward but now I understand that I’ve had it backwards all along. I must move forward in faith and what I already know in order to have those supernatural experiences.
Thank you for the encouragement!
George
Yes! Yes! Way to say it. I’m reminded that we should simplify and not complicate things. When asked “What do we do?” at Bannockburn in “Braveheart”, Mel Gibson’s William Wallace replied to his men “Be yourselves.” This as they faced down the English army. I am learning more that it’s about being who I am in Christ, where I am rather than seeing far off to what might be. Not lacking in long-vision, but starting at the gate where I am instead of waiting/hoping for the “perfect time/plan/opportunity etc. And definitely don’t wait for that endorsement!! Right on Gary!
Awesome word Gary. Thanks.
Not letting what you can’t do effect what you can do… this equals living life right here and right now and not putting our offering off…
A very timely word for me today. Pr 15:23 – woo hoo! Thank you Gary.
Great stuff as usual.
Gary, I think you’ll find some interest in Chris’ blog beginning with http://chrisguillebeau.com/3×5/moving-to-paris-without-quitting-my-day-job-a-lesson-in-becoming-a-nonconformist/
This one is an older post but a great example of living out some of the themes you shared today.
This helps me realize I am currently, to an extent, living in my calling now (thanks to the intensive retreat last year). It’s easy to get discouraged thinking about what else is down the road, or how much more could be done, and lose sight of the present. Thanks for the encouragement and the reminder to stay focused on where God has me now.
Gary,
The line about not waiting for things to be ideal has proved right for me many times. There is no perfect time, and yet every time is perfect. I have noticed that there is a real risk in living your calling, especially in the first months and years. Some people don’t understand how life can be so focused and free. The people that were friends slip away and new ones have taken their place. There is a richness I am experiencing in my life that I haven’t had–ever. But it has been risky, and I’ve been uncertain many times. The risk has been worth it, and perseverance is paying off.
I love the advice on living like an artist. I have never viewed what I feel is my calling in that light. Wonderful words indeed!
Great thoughts…I’ve been waiting for an endorsement, large audiences, special signs, special training and annointing. This weekend I heard “You are in a good place…offer what you have right now from where you are.” I don’t have to complete a degree and have a diploma to do this…it’s OJT! Thanks Gary for your heart for God, and His calling on our lives. You’ve assisted me in the clarity I have thus far, and I am grateful.
You state – “We waste a lot of time and energy feeling guilty and condemned over the things that we are not passionate about”.
Boy do I ever, thanks for the reminder.
This really helps put some verses in perspective for me that I have read this week.
Psalm 18:32-33 and Habakkuk 3:19
The One ture God gives me strenght; He removes obstacles in my way. He gives me the agility of a deer; He enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.
Both the verses are almost the same.
Micah 2:13
The one who can break through barriers will lead the out, they will break out, pass through the gate and leave. Their King will advance before them. The Lord himself will lead them (us).
Reminds me a lot of Pligrim’s Progress.
Thanks for your insights.
Good stuff and very helpful. Thanks for writing them and keep em coming.
The tension is simply agonizing. I never know when I am doing “enough”.
Sometimes I just want to do what *I* want to do and just forget what God wants and see how quickly I hit a wall.