Christian Calling Quest at Age 50+
Part 3: How You'll Get Where You're Going in Your Calling
If you feel stuck in your Christian calling at age 50+, God has a plan for moving you forward.
In today's blog, you'll learn God's 4 purposes for putting you where you are now, and how to cooperate with Him to accomplish those purposes, so you can then move forward. You'll learn what each purpose looks like, why it's essential, and how to fulfill it.
God’s 4 Big Purposes of Your Valley of Identity
If you’re currently in your Valley of Identity, you’ll move toward the Fulfillment Stage of your calling through “God’s 4 Big Purposes of Your Valley of Identity,” shown below. God led me to create this diagram as I coached 100+ people over 10 years and studied the relevant Bible concepts along the way.
All four purposes apply to you, even if you’re already in Fulfillment, because they continue from the Valley of Identity into the Fulfillment Stage.
Purpose #1: Grow a Next-Level Relationship with God
Jesus said, “The most important commandment is this … Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:29-30)
What does fulfilling this purpose look like?
- You freely talk with God about your relationship with Him, not just about what to do for Him.
- God becomes more important to you than your calling. He becomes more important to you than anyone or anything else.
Why is fulfilling this purpose essential?
- It’s essential for reaching Fulfillment and doing your Fulfillment Calling.
- It’s essential for navigating the challenges of senior adulthood.
What will help you fulfill this purpose?
- Use Tony Stoltzfus’ book, Questions for Jesus, to learn how to talk with God about your relationship with Him.
Purpose #2: Get Confidence in Who God Created You to Be
Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew you. (Jeremiah 1:5)
What does fulfilling this purpose look like?
- You hear and believe why God uniquely loves and values you.
Why is fulfilling this purpose essential?
- You’ll live your fullest life when you know how uniquely God loves you.
- You’ll do your fullest calling when you know how uniquely God calls you.
What will help you fulfill this purpose?
- Talk with God (A LOT!) about what He uniquely loves and values about you.
- Talk with God about EVERYTHING—your fears and sins as well as your joys and accomplishments.
Purpose #3: Gain Clarity for What God Created You to Do
Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you. (Jeremiah 1:5)
What does fulfilling this purpose look like?
- First, you become more fully who God created you to be.
- Then, you’ll gain clarity about what God created you to do.
Why is fulfilling this purpose essential?
- God’s clarity about your calling launches and leverages your Fulfillment Stage.
What will help you fulfill this purpose?
- Talk with God (A LOT!) about who He created you to be and how to live that out.
- Write your Christian Calling Statement using this blog.
Purpose #4: Build Courage for Doing Your Fulfillment Calling
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Jeremiah 1:9)
What does fulfilling this purpose look like?
- Hear your Fulfillment Calling from God. (You did that in Purpose #3.)
- Believe He has truly called you to do it.
- Start your Fulfillment Calling.
- Present your Fulfillment Calling to others.
Why is fulfilling this purpose essential?
- Courage from God (not others) is essential to doing your Fulfillment Calling.
- Courage grows from God-prompted action.
What will help you fulfill this purpose?
- Ask God which of the four steps above (hear, believe, start, present) He wants you to focus on now in your Fulfillment Calling, and how He wants you to do it.
Here’s what’s coming in the Next Blog
In this blog series so far, you’ve learned the following about your calling at age 50+:
- Where You Are Now in Your Calling
- Where You’re Going in Your Calling
- How You’ll Get Where You’re Going in Your Calling
This is the third blog in the 4-part series on finding and fulfilling your Christian calling and growing in Christ at age 50+.
The four blogs are listed below:
- Where You Are Now in Your Calling
- Where You’re Going in Your Calling
- How You’ll Get Where You’re Going in Your Calling
- Putting It All Together