Do you believe that people have a specific “calling” in Life? Why or Why Not? Is everyone called by God? Many people are also asking “Who is God?” We all have questions and you have asked a great one! Let’s dive in and find the answer!
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations….” The Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to save you,” declares the Lord.”Jeremiah 1:5-7
God is omniscient and knows the end from the beginning. So, He sovereignly knows precisely how and where we’ll serve. But that doesn’t mean we can find that out or that we need to. From our perspective, we are free to wisely choose how and where to serve Him.
Does Everyone Have a Specific Calling in Life?
When this question asks about “everyone,” it depends on whether that means each believer or whether specific persons, like Jeremiah, have a particular calling. According to this passage, Jeremiah did have a specific calling. But the question is, “Does everyone have the same type of specific calling that Jeremiah did?” And if so, should we seek to find it? And if we don’t discover it, does that mean we won’t have God’s best for our lives?
It used to be more common for people to hire someone for Christian service positions to ask the candidate if they’ve felt, or been, called to be a pastor or missionary. If someone didn’t or couldn’t say God called them, they had little to no chance to get the position. However, the emphasis on having a specific call has declined over the past generation.
At various stages of life, God does choose some people for specific responsibilities.
Sometimes, like in the case of Paul, God doesn’t give the person much choice about how and where to serve:
But the Lord said to him (Ananias), “Go, for he (Paul) is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel.”
Acts 9:15
God also audibly called Samuel as a child and became a judge over Israel (1 Samuel 3:1-10). There are other examples of God calling people in this way. An angel told Mary God chose her to birth the Christ-child:
“Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.”
(Luke 1:30-31)
But these people God called in this way filled vital positions in the Kingdom of God at crucial times. And God made their role and calling in His Kingdom clear to them. So, what about the rest of God’s believers?
Does God Have a Specific Purpose for Me?
From the examples above, it’s obvious God does call people, and He makes that calling clear when He calls them. But that clear and specific call doesn’t happen for most of us. However, if you feel led to pray and ask God if He has a specific calling for you, do so. But if you don’t get a clear answer, spend time finding and developing your spiritual gift.
Find Your Spiritual Gifts
Our spiritual gifting leads us into service for Him. He gives various gifts to believers through the Holy Spirit, and every person receives an ability from Him. Often the gift will determine how a person can best serve. For example, a person shouldn’t become a pastor-teacher unless God gives them that spiritual gift:
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.
(Ephesians 4:11-12
If He gifts you with hospitality, show hospitality. However you’re gifted, use your gift. The Bible lists many of the diverse types of gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:28-30 and other parts of scripture. Often other believers can help another find their gift or area of service.
We are all called to serve God and each other.
God gives us a lot of freedom to wisely choose how and where to serve Him. Most people will not get a clear specific call to service. But we are all called to serve God and each other. Jesus’ attitude provided the example for us:
“Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
(Mark 10:45)
If you would like to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, we invite you to watch the GREAT NEWS FOR YOU Video on this page.
