A friend recently said to me “You appear to have found your calling.  I think people are happy when they find that.  You can tell those who have found their calling as they are good at what they do, and they seem happy.  I’m not sure I’ve found my calling yet, Kris.”  Hmmm….. that prompted me to start thinking.  I responded with a list of things I’ve seen him do well.  He’s a mentor, he’s calm in hectic situations, he’s resilient, he’s thankful and grateful.  He has a good moral compass.  But? He’s not sure yet what he believes about the Lord.  He knows there is a God, but he’s struggling.  And that struggle?  Is what I believe to be keeping him (and likely others) from feeling fulfilled, and as though he has found his calling.  The Lord gives a peace and contentment the world can’t give, and one it can’t take away.

The conversation with my friend prompted even deeper thought as I sat drinking my coffee this morning.  Here’s what I believe the Lord has revealed to me:  “We all have the same calling.  We just have different platforms.”  Let me expound on what I believe we are all CALLED to do…

We are all called to spread the gospel of salvation to bring others hope:

“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?  And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?  And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers how bring good news!”  – Romans 10:14-15

What is the message we are required to share?

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.  As the scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” – Romans 9 – 11

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13

We are called to live humble, holy lives acceptable to Christ:

“Finally, all of you should be of one mind.  Sympathize with each other.  Love each other as brothers and sisters.  Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.  Don’t repay evil for evil.  Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you.  Instead, pay them back with a blessing.  That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.  For the scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and you lips from telling lies.  Turn away from evil and do good.  Search for peace and work to maintain it.  The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.  But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” – 1 Peter 3: 8-12

“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” – 2 Corinthians 7:1

We are called to love one another (Yes, even when it isn’t easy):

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  – John 13:34 & 35

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”  – 1 Peter 4:8

Walking in love has proven true in my life over and over again.  Especially those moments when you want to act out in anger?  Humble yourself, forgive and love and watch God move!

The myth about our Platforms that hold many back:

I believe people often get tripped up by their platform, or perceived lack thereof.  This causes one of two things to happen:

1. Comparing yourself to preachers, evangelists, missionaries and feeling you haven’t been “called” to spread the gospel because you don’t have that platform.  But when you compare yourself to someone else?  It keeps you from being your authentic self.  Keeps you from being who you were designed to be.  And that can lead to complacency.
2. Maybe you have realized you are called.  But sit idle in the calling while trying to decipher what your platform is.

How do I know what my Platform is?

This verse in the bible held true to my finding my platform:  “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33  –  Just start seeking the Lord!

When you are seeking the Lord with your whole heart, mind and soul?  He reveals your talents to you.  And then?  Your platform slowly unfolds as part of your journey.  When I started seeking him?  He laid on my heart to volunteer.  So I prayed about where?  He lead me to volunteer at Children’s hospital for a year.  I had some experiences and learned things during that opportunity that prompted me to become a Guardian Ad Litem for children in the protective services system.  While I am no longer an active volunteer, I believe each of those steps are preparing me for what is yet to come as I want to find a way to impact the lives of abused and neglected children and restore broken families.   He then laid on my heart to “write”.  That appears to be the talent he has given me.  I started writing a blog, from the heart.  Being transparent in a world where many feel the need to wear a mask.  I didn’t start writing with the intent to have a large following, but to go after “the one”.  I knew if I could change just the life of one person, bring them hope, that one person may reach others.  I set out with the goal to reach one.  2 years later my faith based blog has been read by over 18,000 people in as many as 9 countries.  You humbly bring your talents?  God will use it to reach those who need to hear it.   The blog lead to the book “Living Free” which opened doors for me to speak about the Lord, his goodness and saving grace.  This has all culminated over a 5 year period.  It didn’t just happen over night.  It’s all part of the journey.  Don’t get so focused on what you perceive to be the “end goal” that you miss your calling (sharing God’s love) on the journey.

The woman at Wendy’s working two jobs trying to make ends meet?  She needs to know about the Lord.  The neighbor children who are suffering from neglectful parents?  They need someone to tell them the Lord loves them and show them what that love looks like.  I appreciate the opportunity to speak to crowds of women and share what the Lord lays on my heart.  But to be honest?  It’s those “one on one” moments that make me feel the most fulfilled.  The most like I’m walking in my calling.  It’s the woman who stays around after I speak and asks the questions she’s afraid to ask in front of others.  It’s the stranger reaching out off line who needs poured into.  It’s the random acts of kindness that the Lord nudged me to do that no one will ever know about.   It’s all about going after the one.

Want to find your purpose?  Start walking in your calling.  Our calling.  To show God’s love to a lost and hurting world.

Be blessed –

Kris