December 1, 2025 • 18 mins
Find the full episode here >>> LivingOnPurposeInChrist.com/blog
Feeling faithful but foggy about your purpose? We explore how calling becomes clearer when we release perfection, slow down, and let God meet us in ordinary moments. Paula shares a candid story of wrestling with her own calling, from anxiety at an entrance review to discovering a path that shifted from pulpit to podcasting. Along the way, we reframe common myths—like the idea that there's only one calling—and lift up the sacred weight of quiet, unseen faithfulness.
We dig into the New Testament idea of kalesis (κλῆσις) as a personal, purposeful summons that shapes identity as much as activity. That lens opens space to see how holy desire and holy burden often meet: what breaks your heart, what brings joy, where energy rises instead of drains. You’ll hear practical ways to create a listening life—short prayer rhythms, Scripture focus, and sensory cues that calm the nervous system so your spirit can hear the Spirit. We talk honestly about fear dressed up as wisdom and how willingness precedes confidence. Nothing in your story is wasted; God redeems pain into compassion and redirects into maturity.
If you’re ready to move from insight to action, we map out the smallest next step—teach one person, write one paragraph, serve in one place—and why small obedience grows lasting impact. We also invite you to steady your growth with simple, consistent practices and a supportive community that journeys through Scripture, book by book (EssentialFaithJourney.com). Subscribe, share with a friend who needs clarity, and leave a review to help others find the show.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Paula Behrens (00:00):
Today, we're walking straight into the heart
of what it means to clarify yourChristian calling in a world
full of noise, distraction,doubt, and endless obligations.
And stay tuned to the very endbecause if you've been longing
for guidance, structure, and asteady way to grow, you're going
to want to hear this.
I'm going to tell you about anincredible journey through
scripture, book by book, whereyou'll have support, printable
(00:23):
studies, audio sessions, and apath that meets you right where
you are.
But first, let me tell youabout my own personal calling.
Years ago, I found myself in afull-blown debate with God about
my calling, trying to negotiatemy way out of it, as if that
ever works.
Eventually, after what feltlike a series of divine eye
rolls, I conceded and ended upat Houston Christian University
(00:46):
to begin my undergrad degree,but not before hyperventilating
during my entrance review, ameeting overseen by the
professor who would later becomemy greatest supporter.
It seemed like a scene out of asitcom, but God had already
written the punchline.
I was exactly where I needed tobe.
Are you finding it difficult tofigure out where God is leading
(01:08):
you through the whirlwind ofdaily life?
Perhaps, like me, you've hadmoments of doubt, surprise
encounters, and maybe even a bitof overwhelm along the way.
Well, if that resonates withyou and you're yearning for
clarity, peace, andfaith-focused encouragement,
this podcast is for you.
Hey friend, I know what it'slike to feel far from God, even
(01:30):
when you're doing all the rightthings.
You're showing up, you'repraying, you're reading your
Bible, but inside somethingfeels disconnected.
You wonder if you're doingenough, if God is even
listening.
You feel a little ashamed thatyour quiet time isn't what it
used to be or what you hoped itwould be.
I want you to know you're notalone and you're not failing.
God isn't asking for yourperfection.
(01:52):
He's just asking for yourpresence.
That's what the Aroma ofChrist's coaching hour is all
about.
No pressure, no performance,just God's presence.
And as a special touch, you'llreceive a free essential oil
sampler ahead of time so you canexperience how these simple
tools can enhance our timetogether, creating an
environment where peace andclarity can flourish.
(02:13):
Let me walk with you into aslower Spirit-led rhythm that
will help you reconnect with theOne who's been waiting to
refresh your soul all along.
Say yes to peace, say yes topresence.
Book your Aroma of Christcoaching hour now at
PaulaBehrens.com/coaching.
That's Paula Behrens B-E-H R EN S .com/coaching (no spaces).
(02:37):
All right, it's time to getstarted.
Grab your Bible, dust off yourjournal, and cozy up to your
favorite beverage, and let'sdive in.
You know, for most of us, ourstruggle with the concept of
calling is not because God isunclear, but because life is
loud.
There's a kind of soul noisethat creeps in and makes it
difficult to discern what God issaying.
(02:58):
It comes from expectations,from exhaustion, from fear of
the unknown, or maybe fromwanting to do everything just
right.
Calling becomes foggy when webelieve it has to arrive fully
formed.
But calling does not walk intoyour life like a completed
blueprint.
It unfolds like a sunrise,slowly, subtly, beautifully.
(03:23):
You don't always see the momentthe light shifts, but you feel
it in your spirit.
When women tell me I don't knowwhat God is calling me to do, I
gently say, Yes, you do.
You just haven't slowed downlong enough to recognize it.
That's not said to shameanyone.
It's to free you, because yourcalling is rarely hidden.
(03:44):
It's usually present andactive, woven into your desires,
your burdens, your experiences,your giftings, your
relationships, your patterns,your tears, and your joys.
Calling is not discovered bystriving, it's revealed by
paying attention.
Many Christians believe thatcalling is singular, like
there's only one path Godapproves of, and everything else
(04:07):
is failure.
This is not true.
Throughout Scripture, peoplelived out multiple callings in
different seasons.
Moses was a prince, a shepherd,a reluctant leader, a prophet,
and a mentor.
Deborah was both a judge and amilitary leader.
Paul was a tent maker, a churchplanter, a preacher, and a
writer.
(04:27):
Callings shift as seasonschange.
Another misconception is thatcalling must be big or public to
matter.
That is absolutely false.
Some of the most powerfulkingdom callings are quiet, a
mother discipling her children,a woman mentoring a young
believer, a prayer warriorinterceding daily for others, a
(04:48):
caregiver showing the love ofChrist to someone who is
suffering.
Even using essential oilsintentionally to create moments
of spiritual focus and calm, soyou can listen to God's voice is
part of your calling.
These are not small, they aresacred.
You don't have to be on a stageor behind a pulpit to be
(05:09):
significant.
You just have to be obedient.
God's calling is rooted inrelationship.
You can't clarify your callingwithout first deepening your
connection with the One whocalls.
This is why spiritual practicesmatter.
This is why finding a moment ofquiet, even if it's brief,
matters.
If you only have five minutesin the morning, use five
(05:31):
minutes.
If the car is the only placeyou can think, use the car.
If the only quiet moment youhave is in the shower, God is
not offended.
One of the most powerful waysto create this quiet is to use a
sensory cue, something thatsignals to your body and mind
that it's time to focus on God.
Essential oils can do thisbeautifully.
A drop of lavender on yourwrist, diffusing frankincense, a
(05:55):
deep breath with citrus toawaken alertness.
These scents nurture your mindand body, gently calming your
emotions so that your spirit canmore clearly listen to the
whisper of God.
If you don't have essentialoils yet, well, you're in for a
big treat.
Go right now to WhyEssentialOils.com to find my
(06:16):
favorites.
That's why W-H-Y EssentialOils.com (no spaces).
Now let's turn to our Greek wordstudy for today.
The Greek word for call in thesense of God's personal vocation
is klēsis (κλῆσις).
This word appears throughoutthe New Testament and carries a
profound meaning.
(06:36):
It's not simply a task tocomplete or a role to fill, it's
a divine summons into purpose,identity, and relationship with
Christ.
One of the clearest examples isfound in Ephesians 4: 1, where
Paul writes, I therefore, aprisoner of the Lord, urge you
to walk worthy of yourcalling, klēsis (κλῆσις), with
(06:58):
which you were called.
Here, klēsis (κλῆσις) remindsus that God's calling is both
personal and purposeful,inviting each believer into a
life of meaningful obedience andtransformation.
The word itself emphasizes thatGod's call is always directed
toward a specific purpose and isnever generic.
(07:19):
When God calls you, he's notpointing at a crowd and saying,
Someone, go do this.
He is calling you into a uniquerole that aligns with his
eternal plan.
Clarifying your calling istherefore inseparable from
understanding God's purpose foryour life.
It begins with recognizing thatGod's invitation is personal,
(07:40):
intentional, and transformative.
Calling, or klēsis (κλῆσις),flows out of identity.
In Scripture, God oftenreshapes people's lives and
identities in tandem with hiscall.
For example, Abram becameAbraham, Jacob became Israel,
Simon became Peter.
Each renaming reflects a divinepurpose intertwined with a
(08:04):
calling.
To understand your calling, youmust recognize that God is
shaping you into the person hedesigned you to be, not simply
assigning you a role or a task.
Finally, calling,klēsis (κλῆσις), implies ongoing
action.
Calling is not a past event,it's a lifelong invitation to
(08:24):
grow, obey, and move deeper intoGod's purpose.
When you feel uncertain orlost, it does not mean your
calling has disappeared.
Rather, God continues to summonyou through scripture, prayer,
holy desires, and even the quietnudges in your daily life to
step into the vocation He hasdesigned uniquely for you.
(08:45):
Many Christians feel guilty forhaving desires, as if desire is
automatically selfish orunholy, but God often speaks
through desire, not worldlydesire, of course, not
self-centered cravings, but thedeeper stirrings that won't go
away.
Ask yourself, what breaks yourheart?
What brings you joy?
What gives you energy insteadof draining it?
(09:07):
What can you not stop thinkingabout?
These are not random.
They are indicators.
Calling is often found whereholy desire and holy burden
meet.
And you don't need hours ofsolitude to notice this.
All you need is awareness.
You can ask these questionswhile making dinner, diffusing
(09:28):
essential oils, walking the dog,or sitting in a waiting room.
God is not limited by yourschedule.
He is only waiting for yourattention.
Fear loves to disguise itself aswisdom.
Fear says, What if you fail?
Fear says, What will peoplethink?
Fear says, You're too old, toolate, too inexperienced, too
(09:50):
broken.
Fear sounds reasonable, but itis bondage dressed up as logic.
Scripture shows us again andagain, God does not call the
confident, he calls the willing.
And confidence comes later.
Moses tried to disqualifyhimself.
Gideon tried to hide.
Jeremiah tried to explain howyoung he was.
(10:12):
Esther tried to stay anonymous.
God called them anyway.
Fear does not disqualify you.
It is simply a sign that you'restepping into something bigger
than you.
When fear rises, slow down,breathe deeply, and use
grounding tools.
Use essential oils likelavender, sandalwood, or
bergamot to calm your nervoussystem enough to let your spirit
(10:36):
respond instead of your fear.
Fear may whisper in your ear,but God speaks louder.
God's voice is steady, evenwhen yours is shaking.
Your calling is never random.
God uses your past, your pain,your victories, your healing,
your growth, your relationships,and your disappointments.
Nothing is wasted.
(10:57):
Some of you have walked throughseasons of grief or trauma and
wonder why.
While God is not the author ofevil, He is a redeemer of all
things.
He uses what was meant todestroy you to increase your
compassion, discernment, wisdom,and strength.
The enemy intends harm, but Godredeems.
Your story matters, yourjourney matters, your healing
(11:21):
matters.
Everything you have walkedthrough has prepared you for the
season you are now steppinginto.
Now we can't talk about callingwithout talking about the Holy
Spirit.
He is the one who empowers,guides, confirms, strengthens,
and reveals your calling.
He speaks through scripture,through conviction, through
peace, through godly counsel,through doors opening or
(11:44):
closing, through innerprompting, and sometimes through
the restlessness that refusesto let you settle.
The Spirit is the one whoshapes your calling over time.
When you sense a holy nudge,pay attention.
When you feel persistent peaceabout something, lean in.
When you feel stirred in yourspirit, explore it.
(12:07):
When you feel discomfort thatkeeps pointing to the same
issue, ask God, what are youtrying to reveal here?
Calling is not about certainty,it's about sensitivity.
The more you walk with the HolySpirit, the clearer your
calling will become.
If you want to clarify yourcalling, prayer must be central.
(12:27):
But prayer doesn't have to belong or elaborate.
It doesn't have to be poetic.
Sometimes the most powerfulprayer is simply, Lord, show me.
Set aside a moment each day topray specifically about your
calling.
Ask God to highlight anythinghe wants you to notice.
Ask him to increase yoursensitivity to his voice.
Ask him to remove distractionsor fears that are clouding your
(12:49):
judgment.
Use essential oilsintentionally during this time.
As you breathe deeply, let yourmind quiet and your spirit
settle.
Let your heart become alistening place.
Prayer is not only speaking, itis receiving.
It is becoming aware of God'smovement.
Over time, you'll begin tonotice patterns.
(13:10):
You'll begin to recognizethemes.
You'll begin to sense God'sdirection.
Once you sense God is callingyou toward something, take the
smallest possible step.
Not the biggest, not theboldest, not the most
impressive, the smallest.
Why?
Because calling grows throughobedience, not ambition.
(13:30):
If you feel called to teach,teach one person.
If you feel called to write,write one paragraph.
If you feel called to mentor,reach out to one friend.
If you feel called to serve,serve in one place.
Small steps accumulate.
Small obedience becomes bigimpact.
Calling is clarified not bythinking, but by taking action.
(13:55):
Sometimes God leads you down apath for a season and then
redirects you.
This is not failure.
This is maturity.
I experienced this firsthandmyself, transitioning from
pulpit to podcasting.
God leads you throughexperiences that prepare you for
the next season.
He shifts your calling as yougrow.
Some of you have been clingingto an old calling because you're
(14:18):
afraid to let go.
But here's the truth (14:19):
when God redirects, he also renews.
He calls you into somethingnew, something deeper, something
more aligned with who hecreated you to be today, not who
you were 10 years ago.
Calling is not static, it isdynamic, and it evolves as you
walk with Christ.
Calling becomes clear when yourspiritual rhythms are
(14:41):
consistent, not perfect,consistent.
That's why I love helpingChristian women build small,
meaningful rhythms where youwill learn to use essential oils
as sensory anchors whiledeveloping simple practices that
meet you right where you are.
Imagine carrying that freshsense of peace and clarity into
your everyday life, where yourspiritual rhythms become the
(15:04):
steady heartbeat of your day,not perfect, just consistent.
That's when God's voice startsto shine through the noise,
guiding you with that gentlewisdom you crave.
And if you're eager to take iteven further, to nurture a
rhythm that carries, guides, andstrengthens you all year long,
let me invite you to join ourBible study circle.
(15:26):
This isn't just another group,it's a heartfelt journey, book
by book, through scripture,starting with the New Testament
first, and then carrying throughthe old.
For just $7 a month, you'll getpractical tools like printable
lessons, journal prompts thatmake you pause and reflect,
discussion questions to sparkdeeper conversations, a
(15:46):
supportive community, andcompanion audio sessions that
feel like a warm chat with afriend.
You can join the Bible studycircle here at
EssentialFaithJourney.com.
That's Essential FaithJourney .com (no spaces).
Let's keep building thatfoundation together.
(16:07):
Dear Heavenly Father, thank youfor calling each of us by name,
for giving us purpose andidentity in you.
Lord, we ask for clarity today,for ears to hear your voice
above the noise, eyes to see thepath you have set before us,
and hearts willing to followwherever you will lead us.
Help us to recognize thestirrings you place in our
(16:29):
hearts as your invitations, notdistractions.
Guide our steps, quiet ourfears, and give us courage to
take even the smallest of stepsin obedience.
May our calling not be measuredby the approval of others, but
by our faithfulness to you.
Holy Spirit, continue to guide,direct, and assure us so that
(16:51):
we walk fully in the calling youdesign specifically for each of
our lives.
It is in Jesus' precious andholy name that we ask these
things.
Amen.
(17:12):
Friend, I invite you to take a moment now to breathe, to notice, to pray, to follow the small nudges God is giving you, because your calling is waiting for you. It'salways been waiting for you.
It is personal, purposeful, andongoing.
You are called right here,right now, in the middle of the
ordinary, into a life thatmatters and a purpose that will
outlast the chaos of this world.
Thank you for tuning in today.
And remember, just like settingbiblical boundaries, it's okay
(17:36):
to say no to things that don'tserve you well.
Like that third piece of cakeat the Church Potluck.
If you were blessed by thisepisode, be sure to share it
with a friend and leave a reviewso that we can reach even more
listeners like you.
Check the show notes for allthe links.
Join us next week as wecontinue to discover
how to live on purpose in Christ.
(17:56):
Until then,keep leaning into Him and walking in His wisdom.
See you next time.
Today, we're walking straight into the heart
of what it means to clarify yourChristian calling in a world
full of noise, distraction,doubt, and endless obligations.
And stay tuned to the very endbecause if you've been longing
for guidance, structure, and asteady way to grow, you're going
to want to hear this.
I'm going to tell you about anincredible journey through
scripture, book by book, whereyou'll have support, printable
(00:23):
studies, audio sessions, and apath that meets you right where
you are.
But first, let me tell youabout my own personal calling.
Years ago, I found myself in afull-blown debate with God about
my calling, trying to negotiatemy way out of it, as if that
ever works.
Eventually, after what feltlike a series of divine eye
rolls, I conceded and ended upat Houston Christian University
(00:46):
to begin my undergrad degree,but not before hyperventilating
during my entrance review, ameeting overseen by the
professor who would later becomemy greatest supporter.
It seemed like a scene out of asitcom, but God had already
written the punchline.
I was exactly where I needed tobe.
Are you finding it difficult tofigure out where God is leading
(01:08):
you through the whirlwind ofdaily life?
Perhaps, like me, you've hadmoments of doubt, surprise
encounters, and maybe even a bitof overwhelm along the way.
Well, if that resonates withyou and you're yearning for
clarity, peace, andfaith-focused encouragement,
this podcast is for you.
Hey friend, I know what it'slike to feel far from God, even
(01:30):
when you're doing all the rightthings.
You're showing up, you'repraying, you're reading your
Bible, but inside somethingfeels disconnected.
You wonder if you're doingenough, if God is even
listening.
You feel a little ashamed thatyour quiet time isn't what it
used to be or what you hoped itwould be.
I want you to know you're notalone and you're not failing.
God isn't asking for yourperfection.
(01:52):
He's just asking for yourpresence.
That's what the Aroma ofChrist's coaching hour is all
about.
No pressure, no performance,just God's presence.
And as a special touch, you'llreceive a free essential oil
sampler ahead of time so you canexperience how these simple
tools can enhance our timetogether, creating an
environment where peace andclarity can flourish.
(02:13):
Let me walk with you into aslower Spirit-led rhythm that
will help you reconnect with theOne who's been waiting to
refresh your soul all along.
Say yes to peace, say yes topresence.
Book your Aroma of Christcoaching hour now at
PaulaBehrens.com/coaching.
That's Paula Behrens B-E-H R EN S .com/coaching (no spaces).
(02:37):
All right, it's time to getstarted.
Grab your Bible, dust off yourjournal, and cozy up to your
favorite beverage, and let'sdive in.
You know, for most of us, ourstruggle with the concept of
calling is not because God isunclear, but because life is
loud.
There's a kind of soul noisethat creeps in and makes it
difficult to discern what God issaying.
(02:58):
It comes from expectations,from exhaustion, from fear of
the unknown, or maybe fromwanting to do everything just
right.
Calling becomes foggy when webelieve it has to arrive fully
formed.
But calling does not walk intoyour life like a completed
blueprint.
It unfolds like a sunrise,slowly, subtly, beautifully.
(03:23):
You don't always see the momentthe light shifts, but you feel
it in your spirit.
When women tell me I don't knowwhat God is calling me to do, I
gently say, Yes, you do.
You just haven't slowed downlong enough to recognize it.
That's not said to shameanyone.
It's to free you, because yourcalling is rarely hidden.
(03:44):
It's usually present andactive, woven into your desires,
your burdens, your experiences,your giftings, your
relationships, your patterns,your tears, and your joys.
Calling is not discovered bystriving, it's revealed by
paying attention.
Many Christians believe thatcalling is singular, like
there's only one path Godapproves of, and everything else
(04:07):
is failure.
This is not true.
Throughout Scripture, peoplelived out multiple callings in
different seasons.
Moses was a prince, a shepherd,a reluctant leader, a prophet,
and a mentor.
Deborah was both a judge and amilitary leader.
Paul was a tent maker, a churchplanter, a preacher, and a
writer.
(04:27):
Callings shift as seasonschange.
Another misconception is thatcalling must be big or public to
matter.
That is absolutely false.
Some of the most powerfulkingdom callings are quiet, a
mother discipling her children,a woman mentoring a young
believer, a prayer warriorinterceding daily for others, a
(04:48):
caregiver showing the love ofChrist to someone who is
suffering.
Even using essential oilsintentionally to create moments
of spiritual focus and calm, soyou can listen to God's voice is
part of your calling.
These are not small, they aresacred.
You don't have to be on a stageor behind a pulpit to be
(05:09):
significant.
You just have to be obedient.
God's calling is rooted inrelationship.
You can't clarify your callingwithout first deepening your
connection with the One whocalls.
This is why spiritual practicesmatter.
This is why finding a moment ofquiet, even if it's brief,
matters.
If you only have five minutesin the morning, use five
(05:31):
minutes.
If the car is the only placeyou can think, use the car.
If the only quiet moment youhave is in the shower, God is
not offended.
One of the most powerful waysto create this quiet is to use a
sensory cue, something thatsignals to your body and mind
that it's time to focus on God.
Essential oils can do thisbeautifully.
A drop of lavender on yourwrist, diffusing frankincense, a
(05:55):
deep breath with citrus toawaken alertness.
These scents nurture your mindand body, gently calming your
emotions so that your spirit canmore clearly listen to the
whisper of God.
If you don't have essentialoils yet, well, you're in for a
big treat.
Go right now to WhyEssentialOils.com to find my
(06:16):
favorites.
That's why W-H-Y EssentialOils.com (no spaces).
Now let's turn to our Greek wordstudy for today.
The Greek word for call in thesense of God's personal vocation
is klēsis (κλῆσις).
This word appears throughoutthe New Testament and carries a
profound meaning.
(06:36):
It's not simply a task tocomplete or a role to fill, it's
a divine summons into purpose,identity, and relationship with
Christ.
One of the clearest examples isfound in Ephesians 4: 1, where
Paul writes, I therefore, aprisoner of the Lord, urge you
to walk worthy of yourcalling, klēsis (κλῆσις), with
(06:58):
which you were called.
Here, klēsis (κλῆσις) remindsus that God's calling is both
personal and purposeful,inviting each believer into a
life of meaningful obedience andtransformation.
The word itself emphasizes thatGod's call is always directed
toward a specific purpose and isnever generic.
(07:19):
When God calls you, he's notpointing at a crowd and saying,
Someone, go do this.
He is calling you into a uniquerole that aligns with his
eternal plan.
Clarifying your calling istherefore inseparable from
understanding God's purpose foryour life.
It begins with recognizing thatGod's invitation is personal,
(07:40):
intentional, and transformative.
Calling, or klēsis (κλῆσις),flows out of identity.
In Scripture, God oftenreshapes people's lives and
identities in tandem with hiscall.
For example, Abram becameAbraham, Jacob became Israel,
Simon became Peter.
Each renaming reflects a divinepurpose intertwined with a
(08:04):
calling.
To understand your calling, youmust recognize that God is
shaping you into the person hedesigned you to be, not simply
assigning you a role or a task.
Finally, calling,klēsis (κλῆσις), implies ongoing
action.
Calling is not a past event,it's a lifelong invitation to
(08:24):
grow, obey, and move deeper intoGod's purpose.
When you feel uncertain orlost, it does not mean your
calling has disappeared.
Rather, God continues to summonyou through scripture, prayer,
holy desires, and even the quietnudges in your daily life to
step into the vocation He hasdesigned uniquely for you.
(08:45):
Many Christians feel guilty forhaving desires, as if desire is
automatically selfish orunholy, but God often speaks
through desire, not worldlydesire, of course, not
self-centered cravings, but thedeeper stirrings that won't go
away.
Ask yourself, what breaks yourheart?
What brings you joy?
What gives you energy insteadof draining it?
(09:07):
What can you not stop thinkingabout?
These are not random.
They are indicators.
Calling is often found whereholy desire and holy burden
meet.
And you don't need hours ofsolitude to notice this.
All you need is awareness.
You can ask these questionswhile making dinner, diffusing
(09:28):
essential oils, walking the dog,or sitting in a waiting room.
God is not limited by yourschedule.
He is only waiting for yourattention.
Fear loves to disguise itself aswisdom.
Fear says, What if you fail?
Fear says, What will peoplethink?
Fear says, You're too old, toolate, too inexperienced, too
(09:50):
broken.
Fear sounds reasonable, but itis bondage dressed up as logic.
Scripture shows us again andagain, God does not call the
confident, he calls the willing.
And confidence comes later.
Moses tried to disqualifyhimself.
Gideon tried to hide.
Jeremiah tried to explain howyoung he was.
(10:12):
Esther tried to stay anonymous.
God called them anyway.
Fear does not disqualify you.
It is simply a sign that you'restepping into something bigger
than you.
When fear rises, slow down,breathe deeply, and use
grounding tools.
Use essential oils likelavender, sandalwood, or
bergamot to calm your nervoussystem enough to let your spirit
(10:36):
respond instead of your fear.
Fear may whisper in your ear,but God speaks louder.
God's voice is steady, evenwhen yours is shaking.
Your calling is never random.
God uses your past, your pain,your victories, your healing,
your growth, your relationships,and your disappointments.
Nothing is wasted.
(10:57):
Some of you have walked throughseasons of grief or trauma and
wonder why.
While God is not the author ofevil, He is a redeemer of all
things.
He uses what was meant todestroy you to increase your
compassion, discernment, wisdom,and strength.
The enemy intends harm, but Godredeems.
Your story matters, yourjourney matters, your healing
(11:21):
matters.
Everything you have walkedthrough has prepared you for the
season you are now steppinginto.
Now we can't talk about callingwithout talking about the Holy
Spirit.
He is the one who empowers,guides, confirms, strengthens,
and reveals your calling.
He speaks through scripture,through conviction, through
peace, through godly counsel,through doors opening or
(11:44):
closing, through innerprompting, and sometimes through
the restlessness that refusesto let you settle.
The Spirit is the one whoshapes your calling over time.
When you sense a holy nudge,pay attention.
When you feel persistent peaceabout something, lean in.
When you feel stirred in yourspirit, explore it.
(12:07):
When you feel discomfort thatkeeps pointing to the same
issue, ask God, what are youtrying to reveal here?
Calling is not about certainty,it's about sensitivity.
The more you walk with the HolySpirit, the clearer your
calling will become.
If you want to clarify yourcalling, prayer must be central.
(12:27):
But prayer doesn't have to belong or elaborate.
It doesn't have to be poetic.
Sometimes the most powerfulprayer is simply, Lord, show me.
Set aside a moment each day topray specifically about your
calling.
Ask God to highlight anythinghe wants you to notice.
Ask him to increase yoursensitivity to his voice.
Ask him to remove distractionsor fears that are clouding your
(12:49):
judgment.
Use essential oilsintentionally during this time.
As you breathe deeply, let yourmind quiet and your spirit
settle.
Let your heart become alistening place.
Prayer is not only speaking, itis receiving.
It is becoming aware of God'smovement.
Over time, you'll begin tonotice patterns.
(13:10):
You'll begin to recognizethemes.
You'll begin to sense God'sdirection.
Once you sense God is callingyou toward something, take the
smallest possible step.
Not the biggest, not theboldest, not the most
impressive, the smallest.
Why?
Because calling grows throughobedience, not ambition.
(13:30):
If you feel called to teach,teach one person.
If you feel called to write,write one paragraph.
If you feel called to mentor,reach out to one friend.
If you feel called to serve,serve in one place.
Small steps accumulate.
Small obedience becomes bigimpact.
Calling is clarified not bythinking, but by taking action.
(13:55):
Sometimes God leads you down apath for a season and then
redirects you.
This is not failure.
This is maturity.
I experienced this firsthandmyself, transitioning from
pulpit to podcasting.
God leads you throughexperiences that prepare you for
the next season.
He shifts your calling as yougrow.
Some of you have been clingingto an old calling because you're
(14:18):
afraid to let go.
But here's the truth (14:19):
when God redirects, he also renews.
He calls you into somethingnew, something deeper, something
more aligned with who hecreated you to be today, not who
you were 10 years ago.
Calling is not static, it isdynamic, and it evolves as you
walk with Christ.
Calling becomes clear when yourspiritual rhythms are
(14:41):
consistent, not perfect,consistent.
That's why I love helpingChristian women build small,
meaningful rhythms where youwill learn to use essential oils
as sensory anchors whiledeveloping simple practices that
meet you right where you are.
Imagine carrying that freshsense of peace and clarity into
your everyday life, where yourspiritual rhythms become the
(15:04):
steady heartbeat of your day,not perfect, just consistent.
That's when God's voice startsto shine through the noise,
guiding you with that gentlewisdom you crave.
And if you're eager to take iteven further, to nurture a
rhythm that carries, guides, andstrengthens you all year long,
let me invite you to join ourBible study circle.
(15:26):
This isn't just another group,it's a heartfelt journey, book
by book, through scripture,starting with the New Testament
first, and then carrying throughthe old.
For just $7 a month, you'll getpractical tools like printable
lessons, journal prompts thatmake you pause and reflect,
discussion questions to sparkdeeper conversations, a
(15:46):
supportive community, andcompanion audio sessions that
feel like a warm chat with afriend.
You can join the Bible studycircle here at
EssentialFaithJourney.com.
That's Essential FaithJourney .com (no spaces).
Let's keep building thatfoundation together.
(16:07):
Dear Heavenly Father, thank youfor calling each of us by name,
for giving us purpose andidentity in you.
Lord, we ask for clarity today,for ears to hear your voice
above the noise, eyes to see thepath you have set before us,
and hearts willing to followwherever you will lead us.
Help us to recognize thestirrings you place in our
(16:29):
hearts as your invitations, notdistractions.
Guide our steps, quiet ourfears, and give us courage to
take even the smallest of stepsin obedience.
May our calling not be measuredby the approval of others, but
by our faithfulness to you.
Holy Spirit, continue to guide,direct, and assure us so that
(16:51):
we walk fully in the calling youdesign specifically for each of
our lives.
It is in Jesus' precious andholy name that we ask these
things.
Amen.
(17:12):
Friend, I invite you to take a moment now to breathe, to notice, to pray, to follow the small nudges God is giving you, because your calling is waiting for you. It'salways been waiting for you.
It is personal, purposeful, andongoing.
You are called right here,right now, in the middle of the
ordinary, into a life thatmatters and a purpose that will
outlast the chaos of this world.
Thank you for tuning in today.
And remember, just like settingbiblical boundaries, it's okay
(17:36):
to say no to things that don'tserve you well.
Like that third piece of cakeat the Church Potluck.
If you were blessed by thisepisode, be sure to share it
with a friend and leave a reviewso that we can reach even more
listeners like you.
Check the show notes for allthe links.
Join us next week as wecontinue to discover
how to live on purpose in Christ.
(17:56):
Until then,keep leaning into Him and walking in His wisdom.
See you next time.
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