“How do you know your calling and purpose?” is a question I’m often asked. On a recent episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective podcast, Ronne Rock and I discussed How to Know God’s Purpose for Your Life. Ronne shared inspiring stories from all over the world. If you missed that episode, you can listen here [How to Know God’s Purpose for Your Life – Episode 171]. In today’s post, Ronne shares stories of women who are changing the world along with the secret she discovered in knowing God’s calling and purpose for our lives.

Be sure to read to the end for a book giveaway!

How Do You Know Your Calling and Purpose?
By Ronne Rock

“How did you know your calling and what you were supposed to do with your life?”

The Instagram message made me smile. I immediately wanted to reply with a simple, “Oh love, I may look like I know what I’m doing, but deep down inside I’m still a middle schooler, trying to figure it all out.”

I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe.
You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful;
I carry this knowledge deep within my soul.
Psalm 139:14 VOICE

I think that, if we were truly honest with ourselves, we would admit that we are all still learning what it is we are designed to be as we meander on this beautiful blue ball. Even those of us who haven’t veered in career path or ministry focus continue to discover new attributes to the way God has crafted our eyes to see, our ears to hear, our hearts to connect what we think and how we feel and in what ways we respond. I consider the paths of the women whose stories are written in my book, One Woman Can Change the World. There is Lucy, the adventurous one who became a nun—and then walked away from the sisterhood after 14 years and a nudge from the Lord to let go and trust Him more. That nudge moved her into the lives of kids and families living with HIV.

Following God no matter the cost

“There are those who believe that moving from one thing to another is wrong—that God wants us to have stability,” Lucy shared with me as we listened to children playing outside. “There are those who will take a step and then stop to rest in the security. And there is a place for those people. But the truth is, God has few people He can truly send, few people who will pick up and move as He wills. I used to worry, ‘What will they say of me—a nun and then a teacher and then a caseworker and now a director of an HIV home? They will say, “That Lucy, she does not know what it is she is to do.”’ But I am following God. And He is looking for others who aren’t afraid to follow, no matter the cost to our security or stability.”

Taking fresh steps into the unknown

Lucy’s not the only one who has taken fresh steps into the unknown of her calling and purpose. My friend, Irene in Guatemala, was a pastor’s wife who enjoyed serving her congregation and caring for her husband and two daughters. Then her son, little Alfredo, was born with Down Syndrome. Now you’ll find her using those same gifts of service to help families provide care for kids with special needs. She’s still a pastor’s wife—now serving a congregation that spans a continent.

Irene says, “Oh wow, I used to fight with God about the struggles. We wouldn’t know where the money would come from, or we would be having challenges with the government, or I would just be so tired from working and caring for my family, and I would cry out, ‘God, explain to me how this is going to work. You got us here. Now what are You doing?’ And every time something happened. Always miracles. Always. I’ve learned. I don’t fight anymore—I just say, ‘God, You have this. You have us. Your will be done.’”

The secret to knowing God’s calling and purpose for our lives

But the question I was asked wasn’t about other people. It was about me—my calling. And while my path has led to places I would have never considered when I was a fiery college graduate with my eyes set on one day working for a small but highly creative and deep-pocketed agency so I could produce award-winning short-form videos about any number of topics without having to deal with corporate meetings or business suits (with the exception of winning awards for my work, none of the other things materialized), it would be short-sighted of me to say that I am called to be a marketer. Nor would it be right of me to say I am called to be an author or speaker or woman who hangs out on social platforms sharing road-tested wisdom about gritty, war-torn hope. That’s the beauty of calling, really—that it is higher and wider than any profession or hobby. You see, God’s calling and purpose on our lives is not that we accomplish great things in His name. It’s that we trust Him with the days we’ve been given, embracing all that He has woven into us—personality, gifts, talents, aptitudes, emotions—and offering that design up as a gift no matter what those days bring.

“Certainly, it would be easier for God to determine one purpose for each of our lives, yet He adores us so much that He invites us to walk beside Him with all our hopes and dreams. He surprises us with opportunities, and He assures us with His promise that He is not going to leave us hanging. His delight is now what it was in the beginning—walking with us in the cool of the afternoon, having a great conversation. He spoke stars into existence, and He purposed them to shine for us.

“That’s because His purpose is us. His purpose is you.”

(from One Woman Can Change the World)

What have you discovered about your calling and purpose? We’d love to hear in the comments below.

About Ronne Rock

Ronne Rock weaves themes of transformative hope and grace-filled leadership into everything she shares on page and stage. She’s an award-winning marketing executive who travels around the world to gather words and images that inspire others to action with Orphan Outreach, a global nonprofit dedicated to serving the orphaned and vulnerable. Ronne offers battle-tested wisdom about leadership, advocacy marketing, and finding God in the most beautiful and painful of circumstances. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Connect with Ronne: Website Ronne / Website Book / Facebook / Instagram

Book Giveaway!

In conjunction with this post and the podcast interview, How to Know God’s Purpose for Your Life – Episode 171, Ronne is giving away a free copy of her book, One Woman Can Change the World.

Leave a comment below sharing with us one thing you learned about your calling and purpose and you will be entered into the contest for your chance to win a copy of her book.

You could also share this blog post on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter then comment here to tell us where you shared it and you’ll also be entered into the drawing.

The winner will be selected at random and announced next Monday, August 1, 2022. Continental United States only.