7 Myths Men Believe & the Biblical Truths Behind ThemMuestra

The Myth: “I don’t have a Christian calling because I have a regular job”

For the past few weeks, my pastor has been preaching about “finding your calling.” He’s been giving lots of examples of ways that people can serve God, such as through leading Bible studies or teaching Sunday School. He talks about how everyone has a calling from God. He’s talked a lot about his own “call story” to ministry, and he has been using lots of different “call stories” from the Bible for his messages: Moses, Gideon, Jeremiah, Peter, etc.

The thing is, I don’t think any of this really applies to me. I’m a pharmacist, and that’s pretty much it. It’s a decent occupation, but I don’t have the kind of vocation or Christian calling that my pastor keeps talking about. In my opinion, that’s fine. There are some people who are called to ministry vocations, like pastors. There are also people called in smaller ways, like lay elders and deacons. Those are people who have normal jobs but also still have time for a Christian calling on the side. And then there are those people who can lead Bible studies or small groups. That’s all great, and I’m thankful for all those people in my church. I think of them as the ones that God has “called.” But the rest of us aren’t in that boat. We just have normal jobs.

I actually wish my pastor would stop talking about our calling and Christian vocation. For one thing, it seems kind of out of touch. Doesn’t he realize that those words don’t apply to the majority of us? It seems narrow-minded to me. And the other thing I don’t like about it is that after a while it makes us, the “normal” people, feel guilty for being who we are: folks with regular jobs who aren’t called to some kind of ministry role. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that God calls certain people to do ministry. But those people should focus on simply doing ministry rather than talking about how I need to find my own calling.

The Truth

The fact is, God, calls all Christians to serve in his kingdom in all kinds of different ways. Indeed, one of the common Greek words in the New Testament for referring to Christians (kletos) literally means “those who are called.” God calls believers in all spheres of life to bring the message and truth of Christ into those places, whether that person is working in church ministry or at a pharmacy.

• Read Ephesians 4:1–16. Notice the ways Paul emphasizes the calling of each individual. Remember, Paul, is not writing to a group of pastors; he is writing to all Christians.

• Focus on just these verses: Ephesians 4:11–13. According to Paul, why does Christ give leaders to the church? How does this purpose connect to the calling and vocation of each church member?

• Consider how God might be calling you to serve him in your own life circumstances. This will look different for each person. God has put you in a certain place and given you a specific set of gifts and abilities. How can you serve God in your own context?

• Challenge yourself to think about your calling and vocation in broader ways. God calls people to many more things than preaching and leading Bible studies. Some people are gifted in serving, offering hospitality, spending time with the lonely, offering consulting, fixing things, providing childcare—and so many other ways. Broaden your idea of the ways God calls his children!

• Ask a pastor or trusted Christian friend what gifts or strengths they see in you. They might open your eyes to God-given gifts you don’t know you have yet! Knowing your gifts will help you discover your calling.

• It can be daunting to think about your calling. Remember, the same God who calls you is the God who equips you. Trust God, who has given you everything you need to bring him glory in the ways you serve him.