Calling is a word sometimes used to signify interests, vocation, purpose, or desires. But does that fully encompass its meaning? Calling is a complex concept and thus cannot be boiled down to a short dictionary definition. Krista Autrey, director of the Center for Calling and Career, provides some insight on the full meaning of calling.
Faithfulness in Circumstances
As Krista reveals, “Calling starts with being faithful to whatever moment you are in. Consider what faithfulness might look like in your current life circumstances.” A helpful example of this is the parable of the talents found in Matt. 25 and Luke 19. Three workers were given money to manage by their master. While each worker was given a different amount, all were expected to be faithful with what they were given — just as each of us are expected to be faithful no matter the circumstances we are given. Pursuing a calling begins with taking what you have been given in life and seeking to be faithful within that context.
Fluidity of Calling
Calling is not a one-time offer. A person may have many different callings in their life. Krista presents calling as a fluid experience, not a singular, lifelong goal. She says, “Some callings will remain throughout your life, but many will change depending on the season you are in.” It is very likely that you may feel a calling towards a specific field as you leave college, and later experience a calling in a different direction. Likewise, you may find that your calling as a parent supersedes your calling to a specific field of work for a season. As you move through various stages of life, your callings will grow and shift.
Conflicting Callings
While it may be a comfort to know you have multiple callings in life, it can be confusing when you feel as though you are being called in different directions. How can you determine which direction is the correct path? Krista recommends, “Do your best to be faithful with both callings and allow God to close the right door.” She provides an example from her own life.
Early in her career, Krista felt called both to campus ministry and to serve in some capacity internationally. She felt there was no path in which she could follow both callings. But nonetheless, she pursued both callings faithfully in expectation that God would make her path clear to her when it was time to choose. In this season of waiting for God’s direction, a newly created role that perfectly combined her two callings opened up; it was almost as if this job description had been written specifically for her. She accepted the job, realizing that “God had a plan for [me] that whole time.”
While your story may not look just like Krista’s, trust that if you seek to listen to God’s callings in your life, He will ultimately make your path clear. It may be through the closing of a door, the opening of a new and unexpected door, or through peace and clarity in a decision. However He chooses to work in your life, trust that He has a plan. Do your best to be faithful in the opportunities He gives you.
Identifying Calling
Rather than what seems like a conflict of callings, you may be struggling to identify any calling in your life. Krista provides advice in this experience. Start right where you are and begin to ask yourself basic questions: Who am I close to? What are my roles? What is my current moment? Once you have given thought to these circumstantial questions, begin to consider deeper questions: What are my main callings in this season? What does faithfulness look like in these callings now? What activities inspire and bring me joy, even if they are challenging? In asking yourself these questions, you may uncover a calling that had yet to be discovered.
Though it may take time to realize a calling in your life, have patience. Seek faithfulness in your current moment as you wait upon the Lord.
Collective Callings
Callings are not always individual pursuits. As God is at work within communities, there may be times in which you sacrifice your personal desires in favor of a collective calling. This calling may be to faithfulness within your relationships, family, church, or community. At times, this calling may not align with your personal interests or desires as you are called to serve a community goal.
No matter the season of your life, consider how God is calling you and how you can be faithful in any circumstance. As you seek to discern your callings and the practical steps to uncover them, talk with people whom you trust — and most importantly, talk with God. As Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
Mattigan Burleigh '24
For additional guidance, consider scheduling an appointment with the Center for Calling and Career.
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
Feb 26, 2024
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