You may be Qualified, but are You Called?
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photo by WENDY THORNELL on PIXABAY
Have you ever had someone ask you to fill a role or do a task, and because you were capable, you felt you should say yes? If you're like me, you want to be helpful and make the most of the opportunities God has given you. But how can you know if an opportunity is actually from God? Just because we can meet a need, does that mean we should?
This week I'm excited to share my new article on The Joyful Life Magazine's blog: "You May Be Qualified, But Are You Called?" In it, I share some of my own experiences in learning to determine what God is calling me to do and what He's taught me about qualifications versus calling.
God has a purpose for each and every one of us, and I believe this principle of Qualifications vs. Calling is an important key to helping us move forward in all He has created us to be. I hope my story encourages you! You can read the first few paragraphs below, then click through to the full article
With love,
You may be Qualified, but are You Called?
A couple of summers ago, I attended a training on postpartum mood disorders. After sharing all sorts of helpful treatment techniques, the instructor concluded with a discussion on the lack of postpartum resources in our town.
As I drove home at the end of the day, I weighed my recent decision to leave my career as a professional counselor. Like the rain-cloud-laden sky, my heart was heavy. Women need access to good therapists trained in postpartum wellness, I thought. I have something our community needs and women can benefit from, yet I’m not making it available.
I felt as though I was depriving my community of a valuable resource. Was it a mistake—even selfish—to not offer a service that was both vital and within my power to provide?
Then, like a pebble in a pool, these words dropped into my mind: I’m qualified, but I’m not called.
God was once again convicting me that in spite of my qualifications, and my desire to encourage and serve women, He was not calling me to minister to them through a career in professional counseling.
With a near constant demand on our time and talents, it’s far too easy to fall into the trap of doing things simply because other people want and “need” us to do them. Interesting opportunities may fall into our laps and because we can, because we’re available, or because we’re qualified, we too often feel like we should jump in...
Read the rest here!
I want to hear from you!
How do you discern what God is calling you to do? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!
P.S.
I wrote this post because I’m on a mission to encourage and equip women to live the life of faith, passion, and purpose that we were made for. You can help make a difference by sharing this post with a friend (or friends!) who you think would be encouraged or inspired by it. Thanks!
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission, with no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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