What is God's Calling for Your Life?

by Dr. Ann Pearson on February 01, 2021

Ephesians 4:1-6

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

In Scripture, the word call is used most often to refer to belonging to Christ. When we belong to Jesus, we are enamored and fully entrenched in shining the light of our love for Christ and following His will for our lives. We are reminded in Romans 8:28, “All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”

What is God’s calling for your life? For people of faith, this question can be a source of mystery, frustration and confusion. We want to know what we are supposed to do. Does God have a fine-tuned plan for each of us, or is God’s call more general, with the details left up to us?

In 1 Corinthians 7:17 it says,

Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.

God calls all of us to be His disciples and to do His work. In the Bible, God makes it clear that we are to love others, care for the poor, and live our lives in such a way that others see Him in us. When we contemplate what God is calling for us to do with our lives we must humble ourselves to follow His direction and leading. God calls His people to become united with Him in every aspect of life. We can’t do this alone. We must respond to His call and depend on Him to complete His purposes and mission through our obedience.

God has given each of us gifts to be used to carry out His work for the kingdom. We have to be willing and available to be a part of His plan.

In I Peter 4:10-11 we find these words,
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

God has called us into a life of hope. He wants His children to live and die with this full assurance. We see the sovereignty of God and should be pleased to be used in whatever manner He sees fit for His greatest glory. God’s call to life brings you into eternal life, freedom and glory.

In 1 Peter 3:15-16 scripture tells us the following,

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

All Christians are called to belong to Christ and participate in His redemptive work in the world. When it comes to calling, what matters most is not your job title or where you work, but are you obedient to God? The work ahead is challenging, but we have the assurance that God will be with us every step of the way. Are you ready and willing to walk with God each day and answer His call?

Prayer:

Lord, help us to embrace your calling for our lives with wisdom, grace and humility. In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

My love and prayers,

Ann

About the Author

Dr. Ann Pearson

Ann graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Consumer Economics and household Equipment. She has a Masters in Science in Grief Counseling and Thanatology as well as a Doctorate in Philosophy of Pastoral Counseling and Thanatology from Breyer State University.

Her early professional career was spent working with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Knoxville, helping families of low income; working for the City of Charlotte Public Works Dept. and as a preschool teacher in Knoxville, Tennessee, Mobile and Fairhope AL. Ann has lived in Fairhope since 1986 where she immediately began serving in the youth department of Fairhope UMC. She joined the staff in 1990 as Youth Director, serving twice in this position and was also the interim Director of Children and Family Ministries for two years here! Ann had dual positions here at Fairhope UMC as Youth Director and Director of Caring Ministries which led to her becoming the full time Director of Caring Ministries in 2000. Ann loves her church family and appreciates the humble opportunity to be serving in this community. Ann has 2 children: daughter, Allison (Ryan) and son, Brad (Kate) and four granddaughters between the two! You will come to know she is passionate about University of Alabama Football, Grayton Beach and taking care of the people in this community by offering love, peace and God’s grace.

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