“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.
Thank for this awesome post. We do seem to strive to find our calling and all God wants us to do is rest in Him and abide. When we do that we can hear His voice. I struggled for years about what my calling was. I always loved reading and writing and finally decided to pursue writing classes and conferences to learn more about how to do this properly. If I only reach one person with something I write or speak about, I am fulfilling my calling.
Shared this on twitter.
I’m still uncertain about what my calling is For years I told people that I knew the things I had been through were going to be the things that I would eventually be able to be called for because there would be no other point to go through that. I know God has big plans but I’m waiting to see what those are. I know I want to help both moms and children out due to my own past. I have also come to realize He has given me skills using my hands, I just love using my hands. But currently I
I wanted to add my Proverbs 31 thought. I have always thought this was his momma trying to tell him what he should look for. Don’t we all wish the best for our kids? We want to give them this large list of wonderful qualities to look for because we would never want to stray them the wrong way. We give them the best advice we can think of. Yes, many look at it as being “the perfect wife” but not many think of it being just a list of qualities of people to surround yourself by.