Fulfilling Your Calling in Two (Not So) Easy Steps

"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." Thomas Edison

OK. Before you switch me off, I'm not going there. I know that the Bible doesn't contain, "God helps those who help themselves."

However...

I deeply believe that one aspect of fulfilling any calling (you'll get the second next week) is very hard work. I'll start with some scripture so that you'll stick with me. :)

While it’s true that God ultimately accomplishes His purposes in ways far beyond what we can ask or imagine, we have a part to play in His plans. God recently had me read the book of Nehemiah to see how one of His servants accomplished the huge task of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. I came away with a deep appreciation for my part of success—organization, communication, energy, delegation and hard, hard work. Scripture actually says that Nehemiah and the Israelites, “…continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out.” (Nehemiah 4:21 NIV)

I'm ashamed to say that I've gotten a little jaded over the years with sentences that begin with "I know that God has called me to _____________." It sounds harsh, but I'd rather see your calling than hear about it. Too many Christians talk about their calling and spiritualize "trusting God" without being willing to follow Him in obedience into the day-to-day labor required to build His Kingdom.

I promise that I'm not all self-righteous on this subject. I could list the times I've done it myself--all talk and no follow-through--but I'd just bore you. Trust me when I say that I've done it, and I'm not proud of myself.

I've come to a place, though, that I find the thought of working toward my calling encouraging rather than discouraging. I'm encouraged that it doesn't take innate genius or prodigal gifting to fulfill my calling. I don't have either of those.

This quote came from an article published in the NY Times and speaks to the place of hard work in success:

"The key factor separating geniuses from the merely accomplished is not a divine spark. It’s not I.Q., a generally bad predictor of success, even in realms like chess. Instead, it’s deliberate practice. Top performers spend more hours (many more hours) rigorously practicing their craft." --David Brooks

The study that was being cited said that musicians who were said to be virtuoso practiced 10,000 hours, 5,000 more than those simply considered to be good.

I loved hearing an interview recently with my friend Lysa TerKeurst. She said that many people had been asking her how she became a NY Times bestselling author overnight. Her answer was simply, "Through 17 years of hard work." She followed with this inspiring quote, "I determined that I would do all that I could do while completely trusting God to do what only He could do."

I'm called to become an increasingly effective speaker, not so that people can stand in awe of Amy Carroll but so that they can stand in awe of the One I speak about--Jesus. I'm called to help other women who speak as they grow too. I can't do that unless I'm a life-long student, learner and worker.

What's your calling? Are you doing the work? My definition in this case is simply moment by moment, day by day obedience to God's Word and the leading of His Spirit. Some days that will look like moving forward while other days it will be stillness, waiting and listening.

What keeps you from doing the work? The paralyzing questions posed by fear? "What if you try and fail?" "What if nobody else believes in you?" "What if God doesn't show up?" or worse "What if I've mis-heard God and am missing His will?"

Or are you not working to fulfill your calling because of the distractions of life? Are your days already filled with time-suckers that aren't part of God's plan for you?

Here's the last and hardest question...Are you called but unwilling to do the hard work? Your calling will remain unfulfilled as long as excuses take the place of obedience and the work.

Next week I'll write about the second crucial step to fulfilling your calling. I'd love for you to comment as you ponder on this issue of work as part of the calling.