I was asked recently “How do you receive your calling?”, to which I glibly replied that God no longer calls, He texts.
It has some truth to it.
I think it is very rare that a person has an a-ha moment. I always wanted one. The fire of God just hits me and POW I know who I want to be and what I should be doing. The truth however is a lot less dramatic. I walked around with my mouth half open, looking pretty stupid and not having much direction at all. I did a lot of hoping, wishing and praying. Only to find that the a-ha has been right in my face all along. I should have seen it too – I am very nearsighted!
Since most of us have no clue what a true version of ourselves is, we need to let God work that out. And when it is you are likely to remark “I knew that!”, and maybe feel a little stupid afterwards. Sometimes your calling doesn’t exist yet in the world, and you have to wait for it to appear. Maybe you are already living it and don’t realize it. You are tired of it and want something new. Or maybe you simply can’t believe it, or think it should be something else, something better. Perhaps others tell you what it should be. Many times, a calling is not a grand affair, but it has a great impact on the world, perhaps many years later in the future. A calling is not what you think it is. But it all works for God.
My life story is not an arrow, it is a convoluted, messed up, child’s crayon squiggles across a ripped up, yellowing piece of construction paper. That is my journey. Step forward. Steps backward. Lessons learned and most forgot. There is no point A and point B. I’ve been all over the map.
For me, my whole miserable adult life was a journey back to childhood. I knew who I was then. I just forgot and had to make a 40+ year trip to get back there. Sound familiar?
But this trip is not about years or age. It is about mind. The constant renewing of my mind. There is no “Hello, this is God, do this”. I have had an ongoing dialogue of which God knows the direction of, the things to be addressed and how long it will take, taking into account how stubborn I am. No doubt I delayed the process by being a mule at times. Shutting myself off to new ideas and experiences, just plain getting tired of it, clinging to the past, living for the future, and having my own ideas (UGH!).
Life is an ever present unfolding, an evolution, a constant movement of things in and out. All these things offer delights; a lesson, a message, an emotion, an experience. They are all gifts to be embraced and enjoyed. Some will teach, some will reach, and others are just for fun. God uses all of it to bring you to your highest self, and that just might be full circle back to where you started.
It is my wish this Christmas that you embrace your life and live it fully. Allow God to guide you in your journey to your highest self. Guidance and messages can appear anywhere. Keep your eyes and ears and heart open. Your calling is coming by text. It says “Let joy be your reason”. Follow joy in all your decisions and you’ll start to get on track.