Discovering Your Career Calling

Discovering your career calling is a journey that involves understanding God's purpose for your life and aligning your work with His plans. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are God's handiwork, created to do good works that He has prepared in advance for us. This journey involves several key steps:

1. Accept God’s Calling for You

Step one in discovering your calling is to accept the fact that you have one. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that God has good works prepared for you. I love that the apostle Paul uses the word "beforehand" because it lets us know that God’s not making this up on the fly; He has been thinking about you for a long time. God has a purpose for your life, and your work is included in that. Embrace the reality that God has a vocational calling on your life. This is not just for pastors and missionaries; this is for you.

2. Reject the Sacred/Secular Divide

Second, it’s important to reject the sacred/secular divide. This is a false dichotomy where we believe that some parts of our life are holy and those are the areas that God really cares about. These would be things like our prayer life, our involvement in church, and when we go to our small group. But the rest of our life is secular, and in that part of our life, we play by a different set of rules. When I go to work, I’m just engaged in business, and my faith plays a minimal role in that. Sure, my faith informs my personal conduct, but it doesn’t impact my work life on a macro level. The sacred/secular divide is a false one. All of your life matters to God; it is all sacred. It is all holy. Accept that reality.

3. Pray (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Once we’ve embraced the two realities mentioned above, we’re ready to start talking specifics about discovering your particular calling. While this may sound simplistic, it is profound. The next thing you should do to discover your calling is to pray. After all, God is the one who has called you, so it makes sense to ask Him to reveal that calling to you. Proverbs 3:5-6 challenges us to trust in God's wisdom and leadership rather than our own. Take time in prayer to seek the Lord and ask Him to make your career path clear. Ask Him to show you if you are in the right job, the right career, or the right role in your office, or if you should make a change.

4. Love What God Loves

A good question to ask yourself as you process career choices is, "Do I love what God loves?" A life of following God means prioritizing what God prioritizes in every area of your life. So, have you thought about how your vocation intersects with what matters to God? This does not mean you have to quit your job in sales to work in a church or Christian nonprofit. If you are doing a job that contributes positively to society, you are doing something that intersects with what God cares about.

5. Identify What Excites or Troubles You

Another key step in discovering your career calling is to pay attention to what excites or troubles you. What are the issues or fields that ignite your passion or concern? Often, God uses these emotions to guide us toward our calling. Reflect on your experiences and identify the moments when you felt most alive or most burdened. These insights can provide valuable clues to your vocational calling.

6. Talk to Wise Friends

Finally, seek counsel from wise friends. Proverbs 11:14 tells us that there is safety in a multitude of counselors. Share your thoughts, feelings, and discoveries with trusted friends, mentors, or spiritual leaders. Their perspectives can help you see things you might have missed and provide encouragement and guidance as you discern your career path.

Discovering your career calling requires intentionality and faith. By accepting God’s calling, rejecting the sacred/secular divide, praying for guidance, loving what God loves, identifying your passions and burdens, and seeking wise counsel, you can align your work with God's purpose for your life. Remember, you are God's handiwork, created for good works that He has prepared in advance for you. Embrace your calling and step confidently into the vocational path He has set before you.

I’m Cheering for YOU!

Pastor Chris