Nothing in life compares to the significance of pursuing the high calling of Hashem.
Think about it for a moment. Do you know what Hashem is calling you to do?
In our busy and hectic lives it is easy to miss it. How do we know what Hashem is calling us to? There are certainly a lot of good things we can be doing with our time; yet, the more important question may be “Are we doing what Hashem wants us to be doing?”
What is a calling anyway?
Any conversation about calling perks up ears. People are interested in discovering and living out their calling. But what exactly is a calling? My definition can be summarized with the following...
“Calling is the truth that Hashem calls us so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion, dynamism, and direction lived out as a response to life infused with Divine service.”
Our calling is the knowledge that Hashem first calls us; and not we ourselves.
The understanding of our calling is our best understanding of who Hashem actually is and what Hashem has created us to be; and what is desired of us to do.
This calling, this voice, if you are listening well it inspires, fuels, and gives your life meaning. Your understanding of this calling is how you can make an everlasting difference and bring glory to Hashem.
How do we find our calling?
Truthfully, there is no one size fits all formula for discovering Hashem's calling for your life. We could never and should never fit Hashem’s ways into a box. Discovering our calling is a dynamic and personal journey with Hashem. We deepen our understanding as we listen to how Hashem speaks to our hearts.
If you haven’t already started this wonderful journey for self, I would like to offer you something. Over the years I have learned of some techniques that helped me to get going on this exciting life-long adventure of understanding my calling:
- Live an Examined Life. This means taking time out to discover how Hashem has created you. Be willing to look at yourself: where you have come from, where you are at now, and where you are going. This also entails understanding who you are not. Living an examined life means taking time to reflect, pray, and discover where Hashem is leading you.
- Clarify Your Giftedness and Passion. Learn how Hashem has uniquely created you. There are fewer things in life that bring more joy and a feeling of truly being alive than pursuing a calling that matches your giftedness and passion. Understand what your unique abilities, strengths, spiritual gifts, and life experiences are all about. How can you use all of your giftedness to have influence and make an impact for the Kingdom of Hashem? Use the Tanak, commentaries, assessment tools, shiurim, or whatever helps you to become all Hashem has created you to become. Hashem made only one you, I personally dare you to make a vibrant contribution in this world.
- Live an Intentional Life. Spend quality time with Hashem. When you have a relationship with Hashem He will reveal your calling. Be courageous and dare to go where He leads you. If Hashem is calling you He will give you everything you need. You were created to be the hands and heart of the living Hashem. Use everything He has given you to bring goodness and hope to a hurting and broken world and to bring glory to the King of Kings. Live a story worth being told.
Shabbat Shalom & Chag Purim Simcha