People that are into church or spirituality can quickly identify with the word ‘calling.’ A calling is what gives your life a sense of function and purpose. It is what you are designed to accomplish or carry out in life.
As exciting as this may sound, it has its draw backs. In the bid to pursue a calling and purpose, most times we forget to actually live. We deliver the experience for others and forget to have our own experience. Your calling and purpose is for other people’s benefit. This is a hard truth to accept! Many lives have reached a plateau just because of this simple truth. Thinking and hoping that the fame, influence and money (by-products of pursuing your calling) will meet the needs of your core is a mirage. Otherwise, why would an accomplished celebrity commit suicide despite all the fame and money? Something is missing at the core. No self fulfilment despite a career or calling fulfilment. You make everyone happy but yourself!
It’s important to remember you have a life before the calling. I have a calling, a purpose I’m pursuing in life but equally understand my life is not just about my calling. I am a husband, a father and friend (life), before a pastor or a businessman (calling). The thinking that a calling is the only important thing (or the only best thing that can happen) has wrecked promising lives. You could become oblivious to what’s happening in and around you if care is not taken.
Pursuing what you are designed for can be consuming. It could make you think nothing else matters. That’s why it’s possible for a good pastor to neglect his family for his calling. There is a need to create and pursue a balanced life. Neither life nor calling is more important. Both need to be pursued rigorously. Ask yourself, when was the last time you did something for YOU, outside your calling and day to day routine? When was the last time you developed a new good habit outside of your calling? When was the last time you rolled on the floor with your kids playing…or went out and did something with them?
Your life is as important as your calling. Don’t sacrifice one for the other. I encourage you to develop new habits outside of your calling. Be yourself, don’t hide your inadequacy behind your calling.
