Following the Call

I heard it, very clear one day… “This isn’t it”. I ignored it at first. Then a phone call to a friend a few weeks later, to discuss some future options for our family confirmed she had the same word. And just incase I didn’t quite hear it then, a colleague and friend came up sharing she had a word from God – trifecta! He’s calling me, us, out. It’s time to move into new ground and step out into the big wide unknown.

Transitions are woven into life’s fabric so often though, when we least expect it. Sometimes there’s a destination you have in mind for your life but how to get there is anyones guess. But nonetheless you might be here again… at the threshold of a new chapter; or the closing of an old one. Finding and fulfilling your calling falls into the “one day” category, it’s something we are timid to pursue… But sweet one, has He been calling you? Right here and now are you functioning in what He has purposed for you? If not, I want to encourage you to step into it. I believe it is in these seasons God does some of His most profound work in our hearts, as we tread carefully step by step forward toward our purpose and deeply trust in Him.

I want to share a little of what helped me through to following the call on my life, even if it helps to not make your next step as terrifying!

The Call – Finding Purpose

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” – Hebrews 11:8

A wild idea or a tiny thought starts prompting you as you survey your world, you can sense change is afoot, but what, where, how and who? This is why prayer and fasting plays such an integral part of hearing the call in the first place. Take some time out to really sit down and connect with God and ask “what He is entrusting into my care?” Prayer is our first point of action. If that’s such a huge, vague, overwhelming concept then lets begin at: if you had all the money in the world and all the time in the world – what would you pursue? What are you passionate about? What are you skilled in or enjoy doing? Write these revelations down and ask for more insight into how that would look for you and your context. Then step out…

The First Step – Building Faith

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” – Deuteronomy 31:6

That first step is absolutely frightening. What if I fail? What if it doesn’t work out? What if we end up utterly broke? Or worse, broken. However, I found such encouragement in Hebrews 11. The faith chapter. The chapter evoking a response to step out anyways, because if He has called it out in you, He will bring it forth for you. So sweet one, what does your first step look like? It might be speaking it out and sharing with your trusted few to see if they discern you’re on the right path. It might mean quitting something good, for something greater. It might mean walking away from damaged goods, to find healing and wholeness in Him. Or it could be starting an adventure of equipping yourself by studying or training or interning. Whatever your first step looks like be brave enough to take it. The first step is always the hardest, the next one and the next one after that will seemingly follow – even if you feel your ground is unsteadying, you just need to get moving and before you know it you’re on your way.

The Bridge – Forming and Healing

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Isaiah 43:19

Transitions are somewhat like a bridge as you navigate and form the path from one chapter of your life to the next. It could be a transition into parenting, into a new work role, a completely different career path, a ministry opportunity, newly married, loss of a loved one. Life is full of such transitions and as we keep taking steps we find the more we take the closer we get to the other side. This often is a reflective time, a time where you may grieve and work through some of your issues and grievances. Also a time to reflect on how God has worked through you and moulded you in that past season, and gradually growing you in this bridge transition to be able to enter into the next season. Be gentle on yourself as you walk this one, be willing to ask the tough questions: What have I learnt? What worked, what didn’t? How can I move forward – do I need to forgive? Realign my expectations? What am I still wrestling with? And finally, be thankful for what God has shown you and grown in you. Don’t despise your small beginnings or life’s detours – there are gems on the road along the way, so recognise them and treasure them. Allow God to really speak to you, get alone with Him. Especially because bridge seasons allow a little space for reflection – it might be a two week bridge or an 18 month one. However long it is, really lean into God’s presence, and be okay with trusting Him complete with what is on the other side.

The Other Side – Embracing Trust

“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:7-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You’ve arrived in some respects, but in many you’re still learning how to walk on this new ground. New territory and unknown paths can be equally overwhelming as following the call. This is where trust really gets to become firmly rooted in your relationship with God. Continually connect with Him, in the moments of ordinary, the moments of fear and doubt, the moments of failure, the moments where it actually worked! Start the conversation with Him and listen, make space to hear from Him and learn to trust Him. Recall the things He has done in your past so you can be affirmed in the steps you boldly begin to take.

For me it was truly stepping into the gifts He has given me. I worked alongside many incredible leaders for many years being quite happy with not being the lead in my own life. I was too eager to please everyone else and ignored what He had been calling for so long. I thought it looked like one thing and He has shown me there is so much more when I take away the box. For me while it was a no brainer: worship lead, lead people and sing. It took me a number of years and a few detours to narrow it down completely and to then have courage to literally make the first move. Now I am completely in my element, I adore my job and my ministry and it looks so different to how I imagined it to be, but it is far greater than I could have ever dreamed.

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Take heart as you step out, you’re not starting from scratch, you’re taking what you’ve learned, the things that have grown and established within you… And you are building another layer. Constructing something new is hard work. But as you labour don’t get caught in your thought’s defeats. Keep going, even when the doubt comes. God has called you, take your steps one day at a time, hourly if you have to.

Trust in Him, He called you – He’s got you.

Until next time…