Most of us have a hard enough time figuring out what we want to eat for dinner, let alone figure out what God wants us to do with our lives. Many of us that God will send us a clear message or sign but this is rarely clear. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Whether you know it or not, God has a special calling for your life and will point you in the direction He wants you to. While Scripture reminds us of this time and time again, it’s often difficult to truly tune in to God. The truth is, God wants you to know and pursue the special calling He has for your life. Are you ready to channel in? Here are seven important things God asks each of us to do.
Discover Your Talents
Discovering your talents is a process that may require time and effort, but knowing them is necessary to achieving the life God intended for you. The Bible says, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith…” (Romans 12:6). People who are in touch with their God-given gifts are one step closer to understanding their larger function in the body of Christ and fulfilling their purpose on Earth. Look inward and reflect on your life experiences. Remember, you have those talents for a reason. Use them to glorify Him.
Ignite Your Passions
Scripture says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). By definition, passion is ambition that is materialized into action. Many people don’t realize how natural passion is. Sometimes, it’s so subtle that you overlook it when it’s staring right at you. Reflect on situations that have brought you excitement and joy, where you’ve been able to help others effortlessly. The beauty of passion is that it’s not only visible but infectious –igniting your passion allows you to not only influence the people around you, but to use your passion to better the Kingdom of God.
Take Your Spiritual Walk Seriously
It’s imperative that you take your spiritual walk seriously. The Bible says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Many of us seek God when we are in situations of need, which is ok but imagine a relationship where we didn’t focus our attention on what God could give us, but how we could give back to glorify God. What a beautifully profound relationship that would be.
Give Back
One of the greatest things God calls us to do is give back for the sake of others. First Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Matthew 22 also mentions, Jesus gives us two commandments that summarize the laws and commands in Scripture, one being to love your neighbor as yourself –a kind of love free of selfishness and expectation. When we use our blessings to help others, we are only advancing God’s kingdom and practicing the love God intended for the world to practice.
Set Goals For Yourself
God wants each of us to set goals for ourselves and actively move towards them. The Bible says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5). Think about your goals and dreams for the future. If you read that, and thought: what goals and dreams? You need to take some time to sort out what you’re aiming for in life, so you can work towards the realization of your dreams.
Pray
Scripture calls us to, “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually” (1 Chronicles 16:11). Prayer is important, not only because it strengthens our relationship with God, but also because it connects us spiritually with Him and the world around us. When you aren’t in a committed relationship with God and don’t value the importance of prayer, it’s easy to get distracted by everything going on in the world around you. When prayers aren’t answered the way we want them to be, the conversation easily goes from “we” to “me”. However, when you routinely pray, and listen to what God is saying, our focus shifts from the personal to the needs if others, and you’ll better understand what God is telling you.
Listen to His Voice
God wants to lead you to all the good things He has in store for you. When you’re having trouble hearing Him, it’s imperative to remember that He loves you and wants to be involved in even the smallest details of your life. John 3:16 is an great reminder of God’s love for us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.” No matter how silent He seems, His love is incredible and it never ends, even when we can’t discern His voice.
Your life will be changed for the better when you can hear His voice better and know what He’s calling you to do. Even when we don’t know where God is leading you, you should understand that He is constantly speaking to you and trying to direct your path. Even when you have trouble hearing Him, know that God is still speaking to you. We can better hear and recognize His voice when we know that He is already speaking to us.
