I’m seriously amazed and at the same time, horrified at how we lead our kids to plan ahead – since birth. It starts when they’re in pre-k, and it never ends. Right now, my three-year-old doesn’t want to grow up, and I’m just fine with that.

It’s no wonder that middle and high school kids are stressed out and anxious, believing that if they don’t have a career focus planned out, they’re doomed. Students around me are having to decide on a “track” in high school, to prepare them for college.

We all want to be making a difference. We want to be where God wants us. We don’t want to mess it up. We want to know where we’re headed; where, when and why.

Have you ever felt like God was calling you somewhere, or to some thing? Or maybe you’ve never experienced that, and you’re wondering what you’re doing wrong to not have any answers.

The misconception is this:

It’s more about the One who’s calling than it is about where you’re being called.

A call comes from somewhere, and for those of us who follow Jesus, the call comes from a person. From Him. What if we stopped trying to figure out where we were headed, or what we were supposed to be doing and just got to know the voice of the One who called us?

Here is what the Bible says about what we are called to:

“…He has called us to a holy life, not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace.” [2 Timothy 1:9]

“God has called us to live in peace.” [1 Corinthians 7:15]

“You were called to be free.” [Galatians 5:13]

 Holiness.

Peace.

Freedom.

None of these things would exist, let alone be achievable without Jesus. He is Holy. He is Peace. He is our Freedom.

So while we run around, just trying so hard to line our lives up with His will – I believe He’s wishing we would stop and just get close to Him. And instead of asking what we are supposed to be doing, look at where we are right now and ask:

 Am I experiencing peace and freedom? Am I living a holy life?

Not later. Not when we get into the spot we think He has waiting for us. Now.

In the in between. In the process. In the transition. In the suffering.

He’s called us to Himself. And in Him, we experience peace, freedom, and holiness.

These aren’t just words. They are a completely possible way of life. We’ve got to stop waiting to have joy and fulfillment and contentment when we get “there”. You know, that place that we just know once we get there, everything will line up and make sense.

No, because of His grace and His purposes, we can experience it right now. You were not made to just wait until things feel right. You were made to experience true life in every single moment. Right now, exactly where you are.

It stops with tossing aside the measuring stick of everyone else’s perceived successes. There is no freedom or peace in comparison.

He has called you to be holy. Set apart. Just for Him, simply because He’s so insanely in love with you. The purposes He has for you? The gifts He’s given you to use to show Him to the world around you? They’re valuable, but they’re secondary. He’s after you more than He’s after what you can do for Him.

Can we lay it down?

Stop chasing after the “there” that is somehow always out of our reach, and instead, reach for the One who’s always available. He’s calling you to bigger and more – but if it doesn’t start with Him first, the purpose is empty.

When I drift from contentment with Him, I look to fill voids that were never meant to be filled with anything else but Him. I pour out of an empty place to fill a calling that I created myself. God, when my eyes are fixed on you, I automatically use the gifts you’ve given me to operate in my calling. Because You are the One who’s called me.

 

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” [Romans 8:28]