Living Out Calling
by Dr. Keith E. Webb
January 6, 2008

God uniquely created you to become someone special and to do something special. This is calling. Calling is not just for certain people. Every believer has a calling in at least three areas of his or her life:

• calling to character or personal holiness (Eph 1:4),
  
• calling to relationship with God (Eph 1:5), and
  
• calling to contribution through good works (Eph 2:10).

It's usually through a calling to contribute that non-profit workers intentionally move cross-culturally. One person told me,

"When I arrived in Turkey 7 years ago my vision was so clear. I would learn the language, build relationships, and start a business that would bring holistic help to the local people. Now, I'm tired of the constant troubles: bureaucracy, language, team, etc. I think if given a chance I'd quit. Ministry just isn't as fulfilling as it once was."

A calling to contribute drives men and women to overcome huge obstacles to relocate cross-culturally, learn the language, develop all-new social networks, and join often low-paying organizations. However, once there, the reality of living cross-culturally, role adjustment, organizational mismatch, conflict with co-workers, etc. all work to undermine that original sense of calling.

People come to coaching for a variety of reasons. Many are no longer working out of a sense of calling. They got caught up in other 'good' things or were promoted, and they do not spend their energy doing the things they are called and gifted to do. When they realize this, they often think of quitting or changing organizations. One secret is to help them find ways to live out their calling in their current roles without making immediate drastic changes.

Realigning Calling

1. The Original Calling.
Ask, What was your original calling when you moved here? (Sometimes I substitute "vision," "passion," or "purpose" for the word "calling.") Explore the history of their calling. What they wanted to achieve. What brought them to where the field in the first place.

2. Current Situation.
Ask, What's hindering you from living out your calling? Explore the obstacles or hindrances from many different angles.

3. The Ideal Role.
Ask, If you could design your ideal role to live out your calling, what would it look like? Explore the "what ifs," the dreams, and passions.

4. Phase in Calling.
Ask, In what ways could you begin living out parts of your calling now, without changing jobs? Explore a "phase in" plan for doing more of their calling.

Usually people want to immediately stop doing non-calling tasks. The leverage point is to begin living out calling in small ways right now, which will make it easier to transition out of non-calling activities.

Share your thoughts on coaching calling at our blog.

Coaching Questions

• What was your original vision when you came here?
  
• What's hindering you from living out your calling?
  
• If you could design your ideal role, what would it look like?
  
• In what ways could you begin living out parts of your calling now, without changing jobs?

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Copyright © 2008 Keith E. Webb & CRM

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Dr. Keith E. Webb is a trainer and experienced cross-cultural leadership coach helping organizations, teams, and individuals multiply their cross-cultural impact. Find free articles at http://www.CreativeResultsManagement.com.