[A Guest Post, by Paula Yocom]
This morning I was talking with a good friend of mine about what it means to have a calling in life — you know — an inner drive that motivates you to do something in particular. Both of us agreed that different people have different callings, and some may not understand why others choose to do what they do. Each person has his or her own reasons for embarking down a certain path. At times these reasons may seem obvious, but other times the reasons may be hidden within the heart. Therefore, we cannot criticize or judge another person just because we don’t understand or relate to someone else’s calling.
I believe every person has a unique set of gifts, skills and abilities to help make the world a better place. I think it’s an easy thing to miss one’s calling (or callings), simply because our lives are so busy. We have jobs, families, hobbies, not to mention numerous diversions our world gives us. Sometimes we spend time doing things that may not be the best use of our time. Often, we are just plain tired from the demands of our lives. How can a person dig deeper into the idea of being called to do something if their mind is filled with worries, obligations, fears and tasks to do?
We expect a lot of ourselves, yet I think often we don’t give ourselves a chance to quietly contemplate what our life’s true purpose might be. Is it to be a responsible parent, a dedicated employee, a loving family member, a dependable volunteer, a loyal friend or a star in the limelight, perhaps? Most of us have at least one of these roles, many of us have several. But amidst the chaos, hurriedness and desire to run life’s race ever faster, have we missed anything? How would we know if we missed it? I think the only way to discover this answer is to spend some dedicated time alone, in prayer and in meditation, contemplating what our purpose(s) in this life might be.
Does it all sound too metaphysical, too time consuming or unnecessary? After all, most of us know our roles and responsibilities, so why should we waste our valuable time ruminating over what our life’s calling might be? I think that in the midst of our busyness, it’s possible we can miss the call. Or, we can be doing something valuable that feels like drudgery, because we have not taken the time to understand and recognize what our personal calling might be. Not understanding why you’re doing something can lead to a sense of emptiness, frustration, lack of satisfaction in life and feelings of failure.
I believe each one of us was put on this earth to fulfill a very important purpose. What that purpose is may seem abundantly clear to some, while others may struggle along, not understanding their life’s mission, or worse yet, not believing they have a reason to be here. Everyone has a reason to be here, it’s just a matter of whether we are willing to invest the time to explore and understand what our purpose truly is.
I pray every person who takes the time to visit the RyansRally website will give themselves the gift of spending some time alone with God to examine and better understand their own unique calling for their life. I know that many souls reading this blog have a calling to reach out and show kindness and caring to others. What else might this mean for your life? What gives joy to your daily existence, and what lights up the passion within your soul?
Don’t be afraid to ask God for help and guidance in discovering your personal calling. I guarantee you, the answers you discover will change your world, because there is nothing more deeply satisfying than to understand who you are and why you’re here. Loving others and giving tangible support to them is at the heart of life’s most beautiful callings. May the Lord give you all the wisdom, strength and courage you need to pursue whatever special plan He has for you on this earth. Honor your calling, for it will allow you to become everything God meant for you to be.
With Love,
Paula Yocom
Paula, this is beautiful. I would add one thought to all of the comments….it takes courage to write this and courage to love and truly live this way. Be who you are meant to be! You are all such good examples.
God definitely has special plans for you, Paula. You have the biggest heart, the soul of saint, and an uncanny ability to weave together into words such profound and beautiful thoughts. Truly, God has called you in several ways: As a writer, as a servant for Him, as a wife, mother, and friend, and as a Blessing to the Diviney family. Thank you for this lovely, thought-provoking post. Simply amazing, yep!
Carla, I am so grateful for all the wonderful people I’ve met since I met the Diviney family. I would never have met you and look what I would have missed!! And the Divineys — what can I say, it is such a privilege to be a part of their lives and helping Ryan. There is something very special about Ryan that brings out the best in us!!!
Paula ,You are so right ,So many wonderful new friends …all praying for Ryan..Hope to meet him one day soon too God bless you all Love Gail
What beautiful, inspiring, thoughtful and helpful notes were posted here on this day! We are in this for the long term, and we are in it together. God is blessing us!
Believe it! Love
Thank you for sharing Ryan and Paula with all of us, Ken. Together, “we got this” for sure!
Very nice post, Paula
Love/Karen
Paula, thank you for your beautiful post. I don’t think anyone could have said it better. I totally agree with you, but I also feel that we may have different callings at various phases of our life. I felt a certain calling in a key phase of my professional life. (This was temporary and not nearly as satisfying as my later callings.) When I searched for answers to parenthood, God blessed me with the answer of our two beautiful children. This calling will certainly follow me throughout my life.
Taking time to be introspective and in tune with what God is telling you has led me to be personally satisfied with my callings. There may be more than one in your life, or there may be more at one given time. I thank God that so many of us have been called to help ‘our boy’ Ryan. As a bonus to helping Ryan and his family and witnessing a miracle in progress, many of us have been blessed with new friendships.
May God bless Ryan, the Diviney family, and everyone who prays for and helps them. SHSP, NGA!
Well put.
Many of us know what we are good at long before we know how to best use our gifts and from where they come.
It is only in our quite moments of solitude, reflection and prayer can we understand how the lord put us in the position to be his instrument. After time, the “why” and the “how” no longer become important. It is the “do”.
Let’s not focus on “why” we are where we are.
Let’s not focus on “how” Ryan got to be in this situation (always remember, just do not focus on it).
Focus on what has to be done (the “do”). Ken is a remarkable example of this.
“Do Work” People!
Amen, Bryan. Ken is following an extraordinarily high calling indeed, and it is a privilege for all of us to love, encourage and support the Diviney family for honoring their calling with such grace and perseverance.
Superb post. I believe that the greatest joys and pains in life are often felt on the path to discovering one’s calling. However, once found, all those things which were endured along the way only help a person to appreciate their gift(s) all the more.
beautifully written
Pages 1-2 of the book you’re going to write. Wonder how many of us stop and ask ourselves if we are doing what God has called us to do. I take time every morning to go outdoors and observe the sun rise into the heavens and the shapes and colors of the clouds around the horizon and above me in the sky. It is a beautiful time of meditation and prayer for me. Every morning my prayers begin with thoughts of Ryan and his family and many others who have Traumatic Brain Injury and are in need of God’s grace and the miracle of His gift of healing. I have studied and read more about answered prayers in the past 21 months than at any time in my life. Ryan is our miracle. Believe it! I am called to pray for Ryan and family. Here since Dec. 4, 2009 with hope, faith and love.
Amen, Jo…yes, Ryan is our miracle, and what a privilege it is to know him and his beautiful family.
Paula ,What a beautiful thought for all of us.We definitely do have to take the time …..and I have to say I have a few roles in life and for sure praying and keeping up with Ryan’s progress has become one of them..you have such a gift for writing what we all feel Thank you Paula …My prayers are with you all at your prayer group. love Gail
Paula,
You have given us all reason to pause, reflect, and act. Thank you.
Beautifully written, Paula. In my mind, the single most difficult challenge in life is to clearly understand what God’s will is for each of us. It takes faith, surrender, wisdom, strength and courage.
…simply…beautiful…Paula you have “hit the nail on the head”…:-)