Do you know what your calling is in life? Are you sure you are living the life God has intended for you? We all ask ourselves these questions from time to time. We want to know the grand purpose that God has for us. Some people have found their purpose in life and others are still in search of it. Knowing your calling is one thing, but being obedient to fulfill it is another.

I was in search of my life’s purpose for quite awhile. Once it was revealed to me, I then earnestly wanted to know my calling. I had to know my God first and foremost, before I could identify my calling. The Lord has taught me so much, with more to come as His work is not yet done. He has taught me to ask the Holy Spirit to increase my awareness of resentful feelings. He wants me to practice boldly bringing those feelings into the Light of his presence, so that He can free me from them. The antidote to rebellious tendencies is submission to His authority. It is however, easier said than done.

Some of us have wasted many hours and days of our lives by repeating the same behavior and habits, which provoke us to act like a disobedient child. We spin aimlessly in a vicious circle, saying, “How come God is not helping me?” and “What is He waiting for?” In fact, He is waiting for us to turn to Him. He doesn’t hold anything back from us. He is a good, good God! He intends no harm to us. He is the ruler of earth and heaven. Without his sovereignty the world be a terrifying place. Unfortunately, in some parts of the world right now, God is nowhere to be found. When people call themselves God, they do whatever they wish and God leaves them to their own devices, though He is waiting patiently for them to turn to him.

Whenever we face hardships (sickness, financial difficulties, marital problems, loss of loved ones, etc.) the first thing we or others might think is, “Perhaps it’s a punishment from God.” We blame God for everything and fail to see how patient God is with us. Yes, God has allowed difficulties to occur, sometimes for our sanctification, to cleanse and redirect us. But personally, I don’t see any of these issues as a punishment from God, do you? These unfortunate circumstances are not sin. Jesus makes this clear in scripture.

(John 9:1-3)
As Jesus went along, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,”said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

Sadly, we may become angry, defensive, bitter, or resentful as a result of our hardships. From my experience, (which might not be too different from your own) though I practice to be more submissive to His calling, at times I’m still not happy when something interrupts my plans. Whenever God’s sovereignty “trespasses” on my little domain of control, I’m inclined to react negatively. My reaction might be, “No! why do I have to change my plan? My way seems good for everyone, including me, so how come God doesn’t approve?” I want to go forward with my plan, and resent the change of direction, instead of considering that the reason particular circumstances may keep occurring is because God wants me to learn something from it and grow up.

God graciously reminds me, when my day doesn’t go as planned, to be on lookout for what He may be doing. Accepting His way, not mine, as the better course for my life. Rebelliousness and resentment are weak emotions which have no place in the Christian life. This verse is a reminder of following His way, not my way.

( Isaiah 55:9 )
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

How foolish of me to forget all I have in my life – my family, money, possession and my health are all from God. Instead of feeling entitled to all that He has blessed me, I must respond with gratitude, asking God for direction and being prepared to let go of anything He takes from my hand. But I will never let go of the Lord’s sovereign hand and will strive daily to be humble and compliant to His will. I have memorized the verse below. It helps me to release anxiety, stress, feelings of resentment or any unpleasant thoughts into God’s hand. Confidently I say this – His word will help you in any circumstance in which you find yourself.

Psalm ( 139:23-24 )
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Amen!

Let’s take a look at Jesus’ life (who was without any sin). His calling was to die on the cross for the sin of the world and to rise again, that we may have eternal life through Him. Imagine what would have happened if He didn’t submit to His calling. The world would be a hopeless and terrible place. Would you be willing to brutally suffer and die, taking the punishment of another as your calling in life? No one would do that, but Jesus did. Because He was obedient to the Father God and His life’s purpose. As He said on the cross in (Luke 22:42)
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
He asked for God’s will to be done, not His. He did it all out love for us.

Here is a question to ask yourself. What is holding you back from your calling?