My dears, today I will share a few words on a topic deeply related to spiritual and personal development. I have been collecting ideas for this post for the past few weeks, especially during my stay in Spain. Do you know that there are texts that are the fruit of my personal search for answers to questions that bother me? This is one of those posts š I am also very happy to share them with you, hoping that they will bring surprisingly beautiful results, both in my life and in yours! So, without further ado – I invite you to read!
Bombarded and definitely too overwhelmed
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by all the demands that this world places on us wherever we turn? When I thought about it one day, my jaw literally dropped! My subconsciousness is full of all the things that I should or should not do at this stage of life, being raised in a specific culture and country. From professional issues, through the way I spend my free time, spending money or even developing personal relationships. In my head, at every turn, red or green lights appear, screaming at me: be moreā¦.., it’s too early/too late forā¦ā¦ā¦., you should focus more onā¦ā¦., and so on.
I am aware that millions of people struggle with a number of such dilemmas that affect us almost every day. It is difficult to eliminate them completely, because they have been with us since our earliest years, in the environments we grew up in, in the mentality that at a certain stage of life seemed to us to be the āonly rightā one.
There is never an end
Wanting to gain the recognition of others and often also our own, we run from one thing to another, checking off subsequent items on a list that is supposed to lead us to an objectively happy and respected life. However, no matter how many rungs we climb, the same emptiness that is hard to fill remains inside us. The truth is that there will always be someone who will not like our achievements and, what’s more, our list of goals to achieve will never run out…
Because our attention is focused on meeting the expectations of others, we lose our sense of what the meaning of our lives really is. Because our goals are spread across dozens of different life fields, it is hard for us to decide what to do next. We live constantly torn by demands that we are unable to meet anyway.
Unexpected inspiration – a light at the end of the tunnel
The above point of view does not give a very positive view of the world, right? When I delved into such thoughts, I felt terribly overwhelmed. However, one day, when I was in Spain and set my alarm an hour before everyone else woke up, I gave myself space to think about it. That same day, in the YouVersion app (which I highly recommend by the way š ), I came across a series of reflections on the subject of a woman’s vocation and strength. Then, a passage from Ecclesiastes 3:1 reached me more deeply than before:
A woman of God knows that āTo everything there is a time, and a season for every purpose under heavenā – Ecclesiastes 3:1
(Yes, I am not afraid of the phrase āof Godā! To me, it means a woman who knows her worth. She follows what flows from her relationship with the Creator. She knows that she is the Crown of Creation, an absolute masterpiece in this universe.)
Additional thoughts that appeared in this reflection:
Such a woman is purpose-centred, knows that she has a purpose and pursues it with all her heart.
She never questions her value, which makes it not easy for others either.
Like every person, she was not born at a specific moment in history by accident. She has a special mission to fulfill.
Vocation – what is it?
Here we come to the heart of today’s post! The answer to the dilemma I described above is the word vocation. I don’t know if you feel the same way, but for a very long time this term was associated exclusively with clergy. Since I had never considered joining a convent or any path of that type, I had the impression that this topic did not concern me. Oh, how wrong I was then!
Reaching for the definition from the Dictionary of the Polish Language, we learn that vocation is Ā«the ability and passion for something; also: a person’s conviction that their chosen profession or life path is the most appropriate for themĀ».
I will say more, a calling is a necessary element of every fulfilled life that is heading in a specific direction.
What are the consequences of not being aware of your calling?
Many people I know complain about feeling like life is slipping through their fingers. Days, months, and years pass, and meeting other people’s expectations or simply existing in life does not bring any positive changes that fill us with long-term satisfaction.
If we lack a purpose in life that is part of the “greater good,” we start to run aground. A sense of hopelessness and stagnation creeps in. The longer we allow ourselves to stay in such a situation, the harder it is to get out of it later…
Easier and harder moments
I am not describing this only from the perspective of a passive observer. I myself have experienced moments when I lacked a sense of meaning. I felt that I was doing the same things day after day, but I did not know why. I know how difficult it can be, but I am even more certain that it is worth working on regaining awareness of what vocation is in our lives.
Every person, regardless of gender, age, status, or background, has a plan prepared specifically for them on Earth. You are irreplaceable and have indisputable value because:
For we are Godās handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
Okay, okay! But how can I find my vocation?
In this situation (as in any other š ), a well-known saying comes in handy:
If God comes first in your life, everything else will be in its right place
Inspired by these words, I have prepared for you (and me!) a few tips on how to discover your calling and check if you are on the right path in your life š
Pray for guidance
The first and inseparable point! To be able to properly understand what you were created for, ask God to show you what plan He has for your life. Build your identity on His Word and promises, not on what this world says and requires of you.
2. Be open and do not expect a comprehensive plan for your whole life to appear before you
A point that I would most like to skip and delete, but oh well – it is very real and worth discussing. God, who loves us with a love that is absolutely impossible for man to understand, has a plan for you and wants to reveal it to you. However, He, more than any man, is creative in this matter and can do it in 10,000 different ways. It is important to have an open heart and mind and to allow yourself to be moved sometimes in a completely different way than we expect.
What’s more, don’t think that you will receive a comprehensive action plan for your entire life with all the details and tips! Our Heavenly Dad can reveal His plan to you piece by piece, sometimes without any details, which – I admit – can be frustrating! Sometimes I wish someone would lead me by the hand, especially in these more difficult periods of life and show me what I should do, but, well… we don’t have such an option physically FOR NOW. Regardless of how complicated your situation may seem to you, He is definitely with you in it and will never leave you!
3. Talk, try and don’t lock yourself in the old way of thinking
It is difficult to experience life enlightenment if we remain locked in the four walls of our comfort zone. It is possible that what you have done so far is very close to your vocation – great! However, sometimes you have to go a long way outside your comfort zone, try new activities, meet for conversations with a hundred people. Only when we are ready to go beyond what was familiar and safe for us, will we discover the purpose for which we were truly created.
4. Be persistent in your resolutions and surrender yourself to God at every step
Once you have a more or less specific idea of what your calling is – act and be persistent! Along the way, you may meet dozens of people who will not agree with your choice. Regardless of how difficult such moments may be, do not give up because only you are able to fulfill the plan that God has prepared for your life. No matter how your destiny turns out, remember that He always has it in His hands! Pray regularly, be close to Him at every step, regardless of whether you face small challenges or problems that will keep you awake at night.
5. Eliminate things that cause you to stray from the path
The world we live in will constantly fight to make you stray from the path of your calling. Every day we are flooded with fear related to the political situation, the state of the environment or the economy. In addition, the current job market is changing at a dizzying pace, which can cause anxiety and uncertainty about whether what we are doing makes sense and has a future. In all this confusion, remember to direct your thoughts – do not let fear and anxiety take over. I am convinced that God is truly the Lord of everything that was, is and will be, which is why He has prepared for us a perfect plan for every situation.
6. Find support from your loved ones
āLast but not leastā, support from your loved ones. Each of us (I hope) is aware of how important it is. In moments when we doubt our own strength, it is worth having someone in our lives who will support us with a kind word, prayer, a small favor. Remember not to close yourself off to other people on the path of your development – it is thanks to them that we are able to achieve much more than we would be able to on our own.
Finally, I would like to point out that the topic of vocation is not limited to a professional path! In my own life, I discover that I am called to many different areas of life: from family life, through creative writing and sharing my thoughts on the blog, to my future professional path, which I am still discerning š
In my opinion, vocation can be discovered at any age and at any stage! That’s the beautiful thing about life – that for some things it is never too late <3
Summary
I hope that in this post I have inspired you to reconsider the subject of calling in your life. I wish that each of our decisions (or as many as possible!) will be in accordance with the Creator’s plan and that it will change this world into a place full of goodness and understanding <3
If you would like to share your story, start cooperation or if you simply have any questions, I encourage you to contact me by email!
