Your Giftedness and Calling

Your Giftedness and Calling At Moody Publishers, our goal is to serve you, the Church Leader, which is why we've asked our author, Bill Hendricks, to write 350 words on Giftedness and Calling. May you be encouraged this post-Sunday morning. "So, pastor, how do I find my calling?" We all know the answer to that one: search Scripture, pray for guidance, and seek godly counsel. At least, that's the common answer. Is it the right answer? Better yet, does it work? Well, Gallup finds that 70 percent of workers are not "engaged" with their work. They feel no emotional attachment to it or meaning in it. Meanwhile, Barna finds that 60 percent of active Christians have no clear sense of what God wants them to do with their life. So are we giving people the right answer to the calling question? Let me suggest an alternative that actually does work—and is also biblical. There's nothing wrong with Scripture, prayer, and godly counsel. Those are indispensable! But Ephesians 2:10 says each of us is a piece of workmanship—a made thing, a crafted thing. We're like a piece of pottery. And since it's God's hands on the clay, we're a masterpiece ("I am fearfully and wonderfully made!"). But potters shape clay into functional vessels that have a purpose. Shape the piece one way, it's perfect for holding bread or grain. Shape it another way, it's perfect for holding wine or water. Shape it yet another way, it's perfect for holding oil and a wick to make a lantern. The design features prepare the vessel to do what Paul calls good works. Not just generic good works, but specific good works tied to the nature of the workmanship. God has designed every person to do certain kinds of good works. So if we help someone figure out their workmanship, they then have a lot of clues as to what good works God intends them to do. In short, we help them discover their calling. To change metaphors: hammers are called to drive nails, screwdrivers to drive screws, and saws to saw wood. Every tool is designed for a purpose. That purpose is the tool's calling. "So, pastor, how do I find my calling?" The answer is (or should be): let’s first figure out how God has designed you. Then we’ll know a great deal about what He’s called you to do. Bill Hendricks is President of The Giftedness Center, a Dallas-based consulting firm devoted to helping individuals think through strategic life and career decisions. He is the author or coauthor of 22 books. Information about his work is available at www.thegiftednesscenter.com. Check out his blog at BillHendricks.net.