I wish I were called to something.
Her statement seemed honest enough. But the hint of defeat that skirted around the edge of her words prickled my senses. I did my utmost best at keeping my jaws closed from shouting the blatant truth that seemed hidden from this poor mama’s sense of perspective.
You are called! You are. We all are.
The term calling can be a tricky one. Sometimes we use it as an excuse for involvement (or lack thereof): That is definitely NOT my calling. Other times it shakes our internal sense of security: I’m just not sure I’m called to THAT.
Then there’s the mom that seems called to everything. Every ministry opportunity. Every available volunteer position. Every conceived occupation known to man. You name it, she’d say she was called to it.
In the mothering world, we often view a calling as something that must be muted until our children are a certain age, or past a certain stage (e.g., when they’re done nursing, when they’ve finished potty-training, when they’re in school, or when they’re finally out of the house).
What we forget is this: If God calls us to it, He will make a way for it.
But how can we be certain we’re hearing from the Lord and not merely, as Winnie the Pooh would say, hearing a rumbly in [our] tumbly?
God doesn’t always shout out what our next move should be: “Go forth and start a new business!” Although sometimes I wish He would. Actually, what I really wish for is something super blatant. Like a burning bush. A glowing angel. Or a dew-soaked fleece on a dry-ground day.
This is where Scripture can be a key directional arrow revealing the heart of God.
Sometimes He gives us advice or wise counsel through the Body of Christ. And sometimes, situations simply fall into place.
In the instance of The Masterpiece Mom, it did not start with burning bushes. Or angels. Or fleece. It began with a churning and pressing desire from the Spirit to share a message of faith-based encouragement with moms around the world. As Amanda and I talked and prayed, we couldn’t shake the passion and urging to do something. Not just talk about it. But ACT. We knew we had to get this message of hope out to our mothering community. To be silent felt like disobedience.
I guess you could say a calling, a true calling, begins with a relationship. And a relationship requires time. Sometimes years. We got on our knees seeking God’s direction and asking Him what He wanted us to do.
And then we waited.
As we quieted our hearts and listened, we could hear the calling getting louder and louder, closer and closer, until we knew without a shadow of a doubt that this was exactly where we needed to be and what we needed to be doing. (For those of you who don’t know the backstory, The Masterpiece Mom message percolated for over five years before we launched the ministry almost exactly one year ago.) And God is still forming and shaping the future of this ministry. We’re so excited to see what He has done and excited to see what He will do in the future. For HIS glory.
So where are you today? What is that ONE THING you can’t seem to get off your mind and heart? Is it possible God is calling you out of your comfort zone and into something totally new and unknown?
Or is the place you are at right now exactly where you need to be? Maybe your calling is a call to stay. In obedience. In the storm. Eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Whenever the call, whatever the call, may our hearts say:
“Jesus, lead on! We will follow!”
Anne-Renee Gumley
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I love this and needed it today! To be reminded to keep on walking, slow steps of obedience will get me there, it’s a marathon not a sprint. I have found myself sprinting lately and this was just the reminder I need to not feel guilty over the need to walk slowly with Him.
Thank you for this beautiful feedback! You’re right — it’s so easy to feel guilty rather than confident as we err boldly and step out in obedience. But oh what a privilege and joy it is to walk slowly with Him!