People love to talk about calling and purpose. Sometimes I’ve thought we are obsessed with it. I’ve always been very driven by it. When I was 16 years old I felt the Lord tell me I was going to be a pastor one day. I worked hard every day with that goal in mind until I achieved it! Then the Lord started stirring my heart to grow in different directions and to expand. There is something universal about calling, but there is also something specific/personal. Everyone who is a Jesus follower is called to be a child of God, but only some of us the Lord calls to be doctors, nurses, engineers, pilots, builders, etc. We need to learn what our general or universal calling is by scripture and our personal or specific one by a journey of discovery with the Lord. I believe when you’re being called to something specific the Lord begins to put something in your heart that will grow over time. The Lord is preparing your heart by doing so for the moment when you will be living in your calling.

In today's passage, we see John the baptist who was a man specifically called to prepare the way for Jesus! He was calling everyone to repent because the one who is more worthy than him is coming. That was John’s purpose and calling, and he knew it and lived out his life in a manner worthy of that calling. John helped prepare people’s hearts with the message of Jesus so that when Jesus was there people would believe and miracles would be made. In the beginning, Jesus also started calling his disciples to follow Him. All of it was working together for the message of the gospel.

We can find out what we are all called to by reading scripture and spending time with the Lord. Maybe you know exactly what your specific/personal calling is, or maybe you might be looking for your specific/personal calling. Or maybe you feel the Lord leading you in a certain direction but you don’t know for sure yet. That’s okay! It will become evident. In the meantime, regardless of where we are, the only way to sustain and clarify our calling is by spending time with God. In His presence is where you will find your purpose and your calling. It’s not something that happens immediately, but the Lord will stir your heart in different directions as you discover what the Lord is calling you to.