Focus in Your Calling?

JO wrote:
Kak Ivan, what is our calling? What fields of ministry are we getting into now? Are we moving in the gifts and anointing we're called to?
John Bevere says, "You'll not be judged by what you did but what you are called to!"
Striking note, isn't it? Are we Apostles, Prophets,Evangelist, Pastor, or Teacher? Or perhaps we're called as a businessman, an architect, consultant, and other walks of life.
We need to be full time in any areas God called us to! Without focus we'll just wander and be less effective. I pray we'll be what we are called to be, and do what we are called to do, and go where we are called to go! FULLSTOP! FBU!


Dear JO,

Knowing your calling is actually the same as receiving direction from the Lord. How do you receive direction? God speaks to your heart, your spirit, and you'll know that you know that you know it. In other words, you'll have a 'knowing' inside. Sometimes He reveals the 10th step in front of you, as a milestone along the way. But many times He'll show you THE next step, because His Word is the lamp "unto my feet, and the light nto my path" (Ps. 119:105). Just take the next step and the next step and the next step, JO, and finally you'll arrive at the tenth step.

One other way to discover your calling is by recognizing your gifts. The 'knowing' you have in your heart will be confirmed by gifts and abilities that support the call. Romans 11:29 says, "for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Note: The Bible puts the gifts before the calling. I believe it's the same thing in our lives: we're likely to discover our gifts first, then we find our calling. The gifts are certainly not the calling--although some think so, and that's the reason why they become misguided in their life and ministry--but the gifts can point to the calling. Pay attention to your areas of effectiveness when you're helping others (that's your gift), and watch where your gift-mix (the blending compilation of your abilities from God) points you. That direction is your calling.

I believe your calling is specific. Take the calling of teacher, for example. Do you know that not everyone who's entrusted the office of teacher are the same? Some are stronger in foundational teaching (like Derek Prince and Ken Hagin, but even both of them are different), some are stronger in certain areas. The assignment may be differen from time to time, not to mention different spiritual seasons which will activate specific anointing in one's life. That's why it's not wise to copy-paste other people's calling into ours. You may have many similarities, but you will definitely have some specific difference. Our God is creative, let's not forget that

In a nutshell, find your calling by taking one step of obedience after another (you always know the next step). Listen to the Holy Spirit in your heart. Ask Him to remove anything that clogs your spiritual ears. You cannot "focus on your calling" until you find your calling first.

By the way, don't let "focusing on your calling" mentality limits your perception of God's assignment for you. Do you know that sometime in March/April 2007, when Manchester United was facing Tottenham Hotspur, something very interesting happened? Sir Alex Ferguson, having only one (out of three quota of replacement player) decided to send O'Shea in. O'Shea was playing for several minutes when MU's goalkeeper (I believe it was Van Der Sar) got a red card (or got injured, I forgot). MU led 2 goals against Hotspur, so losing a goalkeeper was a bad situation. Ferguson obviously couldn't replace Van Der Sar, so somebody else on the field had to step up to be the goalkeeper for the moment. O'Shea finally took the responsibility. He saved MU from danger twice, to the amazement of the wild-cheering fans. Finally the game was over, and O'Shea became one of the heroes.

When interviewed (it's interesting), O'Shea said that Ferguson's only command for him before entering the field was to defend MU's lead. So he determined to do just that, no matter what position he was in. You know what, sometimes the Lord asks you to do something "out of your position". Don't limit yourself. He'll move you back to your "position" in the next game, but just do your best in what He's entrusted to you now.

I believe the desire to focus on your calling is planted by God's Spirit in your heart. As you walk in your own journey, remember that God is greater than or failures in the past. He gives grace to th humble. He is the Author and the Finisher of your faith. He is the Alpha and Omega of your faith, which means that He's your A, B, C, D, until Y and Z. Don't worry, just listen to Him.

Blessings,
Ivan