Stewarding Your Call

Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines stewardship as “the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially, the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” Stewardship is a noun describing a person who does something. Inherent in being a steward is that you steward something. Also, notice that what you steward is something entrusted to your care. 

  Over the years, I have heard plenty of teaching about stewarding finances, gifts, or talents. Whenever I think about stewardship, I think about being intentional. Stewardship is not haphazard and takes effort. Today, I have been thinking about what it means to steward my calling, and hopefully, in sharing my reflections, you can also gain insights.

 The first thing is understanding what my calling is. It would have been nice if one day a letter from God showed up detailing precisely what He called me to be and do - that did not happen. Instead, several things converged to highlight my understanding of my calling. As I grew, there were those things that I recognized I was simply good at. Then there was the subset of the items I was both good at doing, and I was so comfortable doing them that I would call them “my happy place.” This, combined with what I call promptings from God, helped me to determine that my calling was to teach His word. At this point, I had a choice; even today, I have a choice. I can accept this call and steward it, or I can choose to pursue other directions in my life. Notice that I think in acknowledging and accepting your call, I believe you must steward it. To not steward your calling is not to truly accept it.

 You may be struggling with understanding your calling and your purpose. My only advice is to listen to God, find ways to test things out, find those that resonate with you – they can be in the marketplace or church, and talk to mature leaders who know you. Finding your calling is not necessarily simple but important. This blog isn’t about finding your calling, but once you have discovered it, how to engage intentionally in the full realization of what God wants.

 As I said, I am called to teach God’s word. Once I accepted that calling, I needed to progress it. The second thing I did seems obvious. To teach God’s word, I must know His word. So, I undertook more intentional Bible reading and study. You may not be called to be a Bible teacher but identify the knowledge pertaining to your call. If you are called to be an artist, you need to understand the properties of the different media, such as watercolor or oil paint, the rules of composition, and the color wheel. If an entrepreneur, there are things about business. Each calling has a body of knowledge; start to learn that material.

 Then find ways you can “practice” your calling. For example, I started by writing a Bible study which is still on my computer unused, but I gained abilities by writing it. Also, find people who can give you honest feedback and advice. Finally, pray for and seek connections. Yes, God will make divine connections, but if you never leave your house, it makes it very hard. Years ago, someone told me, “It is easiest to steer a moving ship.” We talk about faith requiring action; if you believe God has called you to something, take some steps and let God adjust your course.