How have you answered your call?

Ask that question in some circles, and persons will shrink because the question is presumed to be asking about things of religion, and of course, most persons are not called to a life of religious service.

The phrase might be most associated with the idea that a person is to make a life in some manner of religious work, as in “the call to ministry.”

People in fields of religious endeavor sometimes recall and share how they grew into their work and are interested in how others have discovered the work they do.

There are stories of being pushed toward religious careers as well as stories of intense resistance (by both self and family). And yet there was something that drew the person forward.

Sometimes it does take some convincing before being open enough to think things possible.

In the first chapter of Jeremiah, God issued a call to Jeremiah to prophesy (speak for God).

Jeremiah resisted because he was young and without experience, and perhaps without example to follow. Jeremiah may have been uncertain about who was asking.

In time, he understood that it was God calling, and he gave his life to the will of God.

Questions about “the call” really have to do with persons discovering what their abilities, and then finding ways to be productive when using them.

That said, the call is not limited to work in the fields of religious service.

Why not the call to teach, or the call to sell, or the call to keep the books?

Is there a call to farm, or a call to repair, or a call to nurse? Yes!

You can help someone by doing these things.

Part of the function of education is to help us to discover things that we like to do, and on narrowing our interests, to find proven ways to be more productive doing them.

In a cash society, it takes money to live, so it is helpful to develop marketable skills.

Does God call people to things besides ministry or missionary work? Of course!

There is a need in the world for capable, committed, and caring people in all walks of life.

The world needs people who will look beyond the job to the persons that they serve by doing what they are paid to do.

One way to tell if you are using your natural abilities is to consider your interests, and to listen to those you serve.

When you are doing what you were made to do, you probably enjoy it.

When you are good at something, people will notice that you are productive.

Sometimes others see what we like before we understand that we like it.

Doing it for God is simply a matter of admitting that your ability is a gift, and then using it and a regular part of the income generated to help and share good with others.

How did you come to hear your call? How can you help others else to hear theirs?