Not sure what God has called you to do with your life?
You’re definitely not alone.
The conversation about your calling is one of the most misunderstood and daunting topics in the realm of faith.
I know I’ve had questions. And after all, determining what you are meant to do with your life is not the kind of decision you want to get wrong.
I sat down with Dr. Dharius Daniels, a renowned pastor, speaker, and entrepreneur, to hear him shed some light and lessons learned about the misconceptions surrounding calling.
Watch my interview with Dr. Dharius Daniels
In this blog post, we'll explore some of the key insights from that discussion and outline some ways you can navigate this crucial aspect of your spiritual journey. It’s a good one.
Now — let’s dive into the three mistakes you’ll want to avoid when searching for your calling.
Mistake #1: Not Recognizing the Difference Between Clarity and Certainty
One of the first points Dr. Daniels makes is rejecting the question of how one knows if they are truly called to something.
He challenges the assumption that clarity and certainty are fixed and absolute when it comes to our calling. Instead, he suggests that clarity can be relative and ever-evolving.
For example, we may have a clear sense of what we are meant to do in a particular season, but that doesn't guarantee complete certainty for the future.
You’ve probably felt that way.
At one stage you were clear on what you were being called to do, but before long, you needed additional clarity from God.
Embracing the idea that clarity can be 51% rather than 100% allows us to take steps toward our future and trust in discernment.
Mistake #2: Making Incorrect Assumptions About Your Calling and Your Money
Are you assuming that serving God and others means accepting a certain level of financial success?
Dr. Daniels originally planned to become a lawyer. But during college, he got the calling to ministry.
In our conversation, he emphasizes that his decision to switch to ministry was not a result of feeling his gifts would be wasted in law, but rather a clear sense that God wanted him to serve others through ministry.
He highlights the importance of recognizing and overcoming assumptions about what saying yes to a calling entails.
For him, it involved overcoming the fear of potential poverty and emotional trauma associated with it.
By embracing the calling and saying, “yes,” he stepped into a transformative path that has led to both service to others and financial security.
Mistake #3: Confusing Your Purpose with Your Role or Calling
As Dr. Daniels and I continued to talk, he touched upon the difference between calling and role.
He explains that purpose is the reason for the creation or existence of a person while calling is God's invitation for participation in that purpose.
Role, on the other hand, refers to the set of responsibilities assigned to a person in different seasons.
Knowing the difference between falling in love with a particular role and being in love with your purpose is crucial.
Rather than getting fixated on a specific role, we should focus on faithfully saying yes to the invitations and responsibilities God presents us with, adapting and redefining our specific roles as necessary.
Struggling to find clarity and execute your vision?
I designed Visionpreneur School to guide you step by step toward your purpose alongside like-minded individuals.
Start here.
Realign and Rest for Clarity
When feeling overworked, overwhelmed, or unfocused, Dr. Daniels offers a practical solution: rest.
Recognize the importance of self-care and replenishment. Step back and take time to refuel. By pulling away from commitments and creating space for quiet reflection, we can realign ourselves, avoid hasty decisions, and prevent potential mistakes caused by fatigue.
Dr. Daniels also notes that spiritual leaders, just like their congregations, are responsible for stewarding their own well-being.
Understanding our calling is a complex and ongoing journey.
Dr. Daniels's insights shed light on some of the common misconceptions and challenges people face when discerning their calling.
If you’ve felt unsure lately, try embracing the idea that clarity can be relative and say “yes” to the invitations that align with your purpose.
That way, you can navigate your calling with greater faithfulness and fulfillment.
Take the time to rest and realign when you feel overwhelmed to ensure you remain in tune with God's guidance and avoid burnout.
Ultimately, your calling is not defined by external measures of success but by your faithfulness to the vision and purpose placed in your heart by the One who made you.
