Clarifying Your Calling

By Doug Franklin December 1, 2010

I love being with youth workers from the South. Lots of them remember the exact date when they were called into ministry. It’s always amazing when someone tells me, “I was called into ministry at the age of 17.” It’s amazing because they are actually living out their calling. Calling is special because it’s God telling you he is going to be with you as you do his work. It brings trust, perseverance and confidence. However, for many of us we have not had the “calling experience.” We do youth ministry because we love students and we have a heart for seeing them grow. The reality is, maybe even the simple desire to work with students is God’s calling on your life. How can we know exactly what God wants us to do? How can we clarify our calling? Here are some practical steps to help you clarify your calling:

1. Prayer brings vision
Prayer journaling is so important because it allows us to look back and see how God is answering prayer. Those answers will lead us to the vision God has for our lives. Look back, how has God been leading you? What does it tell you about his plan for your service?

2. Ask Others
When was the last time you sat down with your best friend or spouse and asked them how they see God working in your life? Most of us have never done this and we are missing out on important truth. Others can see how God is working even if we can’t. Get another perspective, you may get lots of clarification.

3. Make a list
Make a list of everything you do for your current job or ministry. Every little thing, don’t leave anything out. Go through that list and ask yourself what brings you energy and what bores you. The activities that bring you energy are clues to your calling.