by Karen Blanchard
SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI – The words “called” and “purpose” are buzzwords in our culture today. People are constantly searching to find their calling and purpose in life. I hear women say all the time, “What is my calling?” and “Do I have a purpose on this earth, and what is it?” Unfortunately, we tend to look in the wrong places to find the answers to these questions.
From childhood, we are conditioned that our self-worth is found in what we do, and from a young age we are asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” As we get older and meet people for the first time, one of the first things we are asked is, “What do you do?” We are taught that what we do is who we are; consequently, our identity can be easily mistaken for what we achieve, produce, or offer. This is a very dangerous view of our self-worth.
Many people experienced this when the pandemic hit. We were all sent home from our workplace during the lockdown. Even though we had technology to help, for some, everything changed. People really struggled not being able to do their jobs in the way they always had done them. There was a lot of anxiety and depression tied to this because people didn’t know how to cope without being able to do the thing that always defined them.
What we “do” shouldn’t be our identity. That is our vocation. Our vocation is the way we make a living for ourselves. Sometimes our vocation is also our calling. However, before we can ever step into the calling God has on our lives, we first must know who God has called us to be. In other words, it’s “who” before “do.”
The way we view ourselves and our calling matters so that when we look to our calling and purpose to define us, we take on a very self-centered view.
We often ask God,
“What is my calling?”
“What is the purpose of my life?”
Our calling and purpose aren’t things we must find. When we know who we are in Christ, we won’t have to look to our vocation or what we “do” to fulfill that need. However, on the other side of that, once we know who we are in Christ, we can step into our calling with confidence knowing if God has called us to it, he will equip us for it.
I love this quote on calling by Rebekah Lyons:
“Our calling is where our burdens and our passions collide.”
You step into your calling when you try to make a difference where your burdens and passions collide. This could be your vocation, but most of the time it won’t be.
What burdens your heart?
What do you wish you could change?
What passions and desires has God planted in your life?
What gifts has he given you?
If you struggle with knowing your calling and purpose in life, you aren’t alone. I have struggled in the past with these same questions. I want you to know that you can live a life of significance and walk in the calling God has for you.
On May 21st at 6pm, BSCM Women’s Ministry will be hosting an event titled Called: Living the Life God Created You to Live. This event will be at Lakepointe Church in Shelby Township. I was asked to share about what God has taught me in this area. Two verses we are going to look at are…
I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. – Ephesians 4:1
He has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. – 2 Timothy 1:9
I hope you will make plans to join us as we talk about our calling and how we can have confidence knowing we are right where God has called us to be. We will also hear from a few women who are confidently walking in the calling they feel God has revealed to them. You don’t want to miss this time of worship, inspiration, and fellowship!
Date: Saturday, May 21, 2022
Time: Evening / 6PM Start
Location: Lakepointe Church, 53245 Van Dyke, Shelby Twp., MI
FREE EVENT / Registration: https://form.jotform.com/212824586212151
Event Speaker: Karen Blanchard
Worship: Lakepointe Worship Team
Details: Ladies Evening of Worship & Inspiration
Event Director: Tricia Werry
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karen is married to Scott Blanchard, pastor of Lakepointe Church, and moved from Florida to Michigan in the summer of 2009 to plant Lakepointe Church in Shelby Township. She enjoys mentoring and discipling women and also leads women’s life groups through her church. She is passionate about helping women find their purpose in who God created them to be. She is on staff at Lakepointe Church and loves being part of what God is doing in the Metro Detroit area!