I had really big dreams for myself. Don’t we all? However, there are times when these big dreams change and you realize you have a different calling. Far from other people’s expectations. And this pivotal decision to follow your calling looks like craziness to a lot of people.
We’ve all been there. Excited, almost feverish. Finally found that one thing you’ve always wanted to do. You share it with friends and family to get them on board. But then you’re met with….
Are you crazy??? Why on earth would you want to do that?
Boom! There goes your calling balloon.
Hey, you know what? That is TOTALLY fine. You are not alone.
There’s a difference between a calling and a dream, tho…
Dreams are aspirations of things we want to do.
- We build our lives around that dream,
- We design our lives in such a way we can reach that dream,
- We work hard to achieve that dream,
- We expect our lives to be perfect when we reach the dream.
I, for one dreamed to become a famous classical pianist one day.
I started early building that dream. Numerous sunny days were spent indoors as a 6-year old practicing the piano, while alot of my friends ran around and played to their heart’s delight.
I designed my life in such a way that I can become a concert pianist. I took a degree in Piano Performance, joined piano competitions, and took lessons with one of the Philippines’ best piano teachers.
I worked hard. Practicing was the first thing I did when I woke up. The last thing I did before going to sleep. And I did lots of piano-related stuff in between.
You bet I expected my life to be perfect if I reach that dream.
But then there’s that one moment, as I lie in expectation, when the calling starts to beckon on the soul, and I realize,
Shoot, this dream is not gonna make me happy…
Why we’re really afraid to answer the call
- We’re afraid because of how people may view us.
- We’re afraid people will reject us.
- We’re afraid we might fail.
- We’re afraid we might be wrong
- We’re afraid we might not be happy.
I realized my calling was for mission work. You know, the type of stuff that doesn’t include all the glitz and glamour that the performing arts have to offer.
Another realization that hit me was that my calling was to lead souls to Christ not through the performance of classical sonatas and concertos, but through a different medium.
I love classical music. I enjoy listening to it, I use classical examples as standards of good music, and I practice classical pieces every now and then when I have the time. And I wouldn’t hesitate playing it for someone. But I realized my calling was not to use this medium alone to reach a soul. There’s gotta be something more than playing-the-piano ministry can offer.
I knew my gut instinct was telling me that.
And that scared me to a lot. All those reasons above were my reasons. My million dollar question was why would God allow me to go through all this hassle when it wasn’t what I was called to do in the first place?
But what do you do when someone calls? You answer, right? If it’s a telemarketer, then that’s another story.
But this is God’s call. It’s too good to pass up!
Well, I answered. And that’s when all the craziness began. When it all finally sank in that I was called to do something else different than what I have been doing all my life. It can be really scary. But I guess, that’s when you do what they call a leap of faith.
Just think about this tho. Can you imagine what God can do through you when you answer His call?
Here’s where I make you feel better by using Scriptural references to validate my points (even though I don’t think it’s necessary)
Classic example is Moses.
- Trained and groomed at a young age in the best academic standards Egypt had to offer
- Learned that he had a different calling, not to be a leader for the Egyptians, but to be a leader for the Israelites to help in getting them out of slavery.
- He messed up by killing an Egyptian and had to flee to the wilderness and unlearn all his training
- He tended sheep, not knowing that God would use this as a training ground to be one of Israel’s most efficient leaders.
- When finally called, he rejected the offer and made all sorts of excuses
- God provides solutions to all his problems
- Israel is freed from Pharoah
How about Saul?
- One of the best and brightest of the Pharisaic sector
- Had a bigoted mindset and becomes a notorious persecutor for Christians.
- Received a call from Christ to stop persecuting His people, instead, He should work with the Christians.
- Turned blind, changed name, and was given time to realize his calling.
- Got his eyesight back, and suffered animosity from the apostles (for a time).
- Wrote majority of the books in the New Testament.
- His life was a wonderful testimony and inspiration to Christians then and now.
Oh, and how about Abraham, Jeremiah, Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Jonah, Zaccheus, the 12 disciples. The list goes on…
What if all these people turned down His call?
A more important question is this tho: What makes you different from these people that you won’t be called by God for a special purpose?
Yes, God can give seemingly unreasonable, illogical, outlandish propositions. And people will call you crazy. But friends, sometimes, it doesn’t have to make sense to us or them. It didn’t make sense to a lot of those Biblical patriarchs and prophets.
In fact, our calling is one and the same, then and until today. And that is to obey Him.
————
Did you experience God’s call for you? What kind of experience did you have? I would love to hear your story! Please leave a comment below .
