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What would happen if you acted as if your calling was irrevocable?

Irrevocable

Every day, I listen to women’s stories of frustration as they bump the illusive glass ceiling. Women who know they are gifted, skilled, and called to lead, but can’t seem to find an opportunity, be promoted, receive equal pay, or get paid at all. I understand this frustration, because I have been there. It is painful and makes you want to quit.

The interesting thing is, God promises that “his gifts and his call are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29 NIV). So where are we going wrong?

The word irrevocable is defined as something that cannot be modified or terminated without the permission of the beneficiary.

I have to ask you…

You are the beneficiary of the gifts and call of God. Have you given permission for your gifts and call to be revoked?

Go ahead, stomp your feet, yell, throw something at your computer, blame someone, and then pay attention to what I am going to say next.

It is okay. I had to do the same thing.

Friends, many of us have given our power away by waiting for the approval and recognition of mankind. We must return that power to God. Our futures depend on it.

Will you trust God for your future? Will you trust that God does not lie – what He has promised, He can’t take back (Numbers 23:19). Will you trust that God has a plan and a purpose for your life that cannot be revoked unless you allow it to be?

That dream that keeps you up at night – it is from God. As Vincent Van Gogh said, “Your profession is not what brings home your weekly paycheck. Your profession is what you’re put here on earth to do, with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling”.

Calling can have different expressions. My call to be a teacher and encourager has materialized differently than how it looked in my dream. In the ministry profession, teachers teach in many ways. In my dream, I only saw one way. As it turns out, I am not a lead pastor, on a teaching team for a church, or speaking to thousands of people at conferences every weekend. That has not stopped God from using my gift of teaching and encouragement in one-on-one meetings, in a small groups, or the classroom. For years, I was paralyzed by the expectations I held in my dream, waiting for someone to hand me a microphone instead of just getting busy helping people.

Everything you do and don’t do effects other people. Your silent consent to withhold your gifts from the world is not only hurting you, it is allowing those God has assigned you to serve to go unnoticed and uncared for.

Stop giving your power away. It is time to reclaim the truth of God’s word.

Trust in God, not man.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NIV)

For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? Isaiah 14:27 (NIV)

I want to close with 5 quick tips to encourage you today:

  1. The word “calling” implies there is a Caller. Your first calling is to be in relationship with your Caller. Anyone can have skills and knowledge. Success comes from being constantly connected to the One who gave you those gifts.
  2. Stop waiting for God to tell you how to act on your dream. So many people become paralyzed waiting on the Lord. The will of God is that you become like Him. When you step out in faith into the challenge of your calling, you will be refined into who He wants you to be. As long as what you want to do honors God and others, take the leap, God will catch you!
  3. Leverage your network. Stop waiting for someone to notice how cool you are. Choose one person per day you can connect with. A mentor, an advocate, a sponsor, an encourager. TELL people about your dreams.
  4. Get training and education. Education is priceless and doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. For example: You could simply ask to shadow someone in the field of work you want to be in.
  5. Recognize that walking in your calling is never a straight path. Nor is it easy. Serving Jesus is an adventure that requires dedication, persistence, and a lot of prayer. If the door is shut, go through a window. Regardless of how you go, get going!

I would love to hear your thoughts on, What would happen if you acted as if your calling was irrevocable? Please don’t hesitate to share your stories or comments below. If I can encourage you through coaching or prayer, please connect with me.

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Until next time, have an incredible week!

Angela

18 Responses
  • Sheri Kearby
    May 2, 2016

    Great Truth Angela! I Have stood on that line so many times, and it’s these words from my Father that remind me, my calling is His mandate on my life, and the process which it takes is also His plan!

    • Angela L Craig
      May 2, 2016

      It is so great to hear from you Sheri! Thank you for reading and commenting. Your words are encouraging to me and to our community of women! Love and joy coming your way today!

  • Beth Willis miller
    May 3, 2016

    What a great post! I do believe the calling to ministry is irrevocable…as we draw closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, experiencing His peace and His presence, we are called to serve Him…until we see Him face-to-face. Many blessings to you.

    • Angela L Craig
      May 3, 2016

      Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! You add so much to our community Beth! Blessings to you!

  • Carol Resleff
    May 3, 2016

    Love, love, LOVE this perspective Angela! Some blogs and articles on the topic can leave women with a deeper sense of paralysis in the midst of their journey but yours is anything but that! These words keep the focus on the heart of our calling and Caller, as well as gives practical steps on how to work it out day to day. Perfect! This is the good stuff encouragers are made of. Thank you!

    • Angela L Craig
      May 3, 2016

      hello my friend! Well, you know I don’t want women paralyzed!! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I am praying for you today and cheering you on!

  • Karrilee
    May 3, 2016

    So glad we are neighbors today… isn’t it funny that I always think of that verse in terms of encouraging someone else – but not so much for myself! Wow… such grace!

    • Angela L Craig
      May 3, 2016

      I am so glad you are encouraged Karrilee! You go girl! Nothing can stop you with God on your side!

  • Alice
    May 4, 2016

    Angela, this is extremely powerful and timely for me, especially in this season of life! Thank you for offering your heart in service to God and His children. Blessings on you and yours!

    • Angela L Craig
      May 4, 2016

      I am so glad it was helpful and powerful for you. YAY! God is doing something great in your life and I am excited for you! Have an amazing day. Angela

  • Christa
    May 4, 2016

    Oh yes, my calling is so different than what I expected! But I can see exactly how God has been preparing me for this all my life. I love your five tips, especially the one about connecting with someone every day. That is so hard for us introverted types, but so necessary. So glad to have found you today!

    • Angela L Craig
      May 4, 2016

      Thank you for connecting Christa! I completely understand how difficult it is to connect with someone every day. I am also an introvert. Together we are better! Have a wonderful day!

  • Pam bacani
    October 4, 2016

    Oh, how I needed this today!
    We can get to comfortable in the waiting on God and not step out in faith. God will catch you and lead you. Love that!!!!
    Today I stepped out and did something new for God because I felt him calling me to do it. Turns out, I learned that I have more passion for something else. Not my calling! If I had not stepped out and trusted God to show me the way today I would have always wondered, should I be doing this? I especially loved the 5 quick tips!

    Thank you Angela! You are amazingly gifted!
    Thank you for feeding me…….

    • Angela L Craig
      October 9, 2016

      I am incredible excited for you and your future Pam. I am grateful I get to be apart of it.

  • Charity Rattray
    October 4, 2016

    Angela! THIS one is so good! Thanks for encouraging me today. God has used you in my life so many times to carry forward with the call. I am blessed by you, friend!

    • Angela L Craig
      October 9, 2016

      The feeling is mutual my friend. I love you and am cheering you on!

  • Aliyah
    October 5, 2016

    Hey Angela, I’m going to stop crying and give you a hug! All I can say is, this touched me deeply. I don’t have words. I am living my dream but as it unfolds and things start happening, I see my dream expanding, the boundary lines ever growing. I sometimes think wow God this is big, is this you? And I know it is, and I tremle with the weight of glory and knowing – God, You really going to do this, I see you preparing me and it makes me cry. But these words are needed, I need to know that this calling is irrevocable, that if I dont get something right it will still be okay. Because it will be! I am also going to stop waiting – big thing! Thank you so much for this! Blessings Aliyah

    • Angela L Craig
      October 9, 2016

      You bless my socks off girl! I love when I see amazing woman walk in the truth! Have you joined an equipHER group yet. Let me know if I can hook you up!

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