They are everywhere - in the news, on TV, in movies, books and plays - and their examples throw a challenge in our faces at almost every turn: individuals who've thrown their entire lives into the pursuit of the one thing they loosely refer to as their unique calling. It could be sports, media, politics or simple greed, but one thing is for certain: They have sacrificed much in order to reach their desired goals or dreamed-of destinies.

If people without God can believe so much in their "callings" that they give up comforts, privileges, job security and even relationships or family, it's no wonder that the organised church has developed a paranoid attachment to this ideal through the centuries. And this obsession with single-minded pursuit and the ultimate satisfaction of achievement has resulted in some very un-Christian results (think Constantine and the Crusades or the Inquisition). One wonders how many people hear God accurately, or are even hearing God (and not someone else) in the first place!

Here is the curious thing : while most believers today are either highly sensitised to or deeply sensitive about this aspect of being called (vocation or divine task), they are not aware of the other (known as/given a specific name). It is a strange state of affairs, and if you speak English, you probably hear or use yet another definition on a daily basis. (For a clear elucidation on this, click here .)

At the same time, there's no lack of well-meaning, sincere Christians who do make one of the following laments after thinking that they were latter day Bezalels and Aholiabs (Exodus 35:30):

I tried so hard and got so far
But in the end it doesn't even matter...
- Linkin Park (In The End)

I think I've heard Your voice before

- Bob Fitts (Is That Really You O Lord?)

Perhaps the problem is that most people are so focused on finding something to do that they've forgotten why they are looking for that in the first place. They're so intent on being given something meaningful to achieve in this life, they've neglected to ensure that they're listening to the right voice(s). And if they get these two things wrong, resulting in failed attempts or a too-steep uphill climb, they get upset and start feeling disappointed or even cynical about hearing "the call of God".

The question we fail to ask is, why would God do something confusing and self-contradictory by telling you to do something and fail, when He had previously said that believers are overcomers (1 John 4:4, 5:4), more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), and that they would do greater things in His name than Jesus Himself did when He was physically on the earth (John 14:12)? Why would He even do that when He is eternally unchanging (Malachi 3:6) and has tied His reputation to our success by identifying Himself with us (Isaiah 45:14, Ezekiel 36:23, John 17:21)?

Are we even aware that most of the time in the Scriptures, God is not calling us to get up and do something, but is either calling us something or other - giving us identity - or calling us out of darkness/death into light/life?

I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand... (Isaiah 42:6)

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine." (Isaiah 43:1)

You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be terms Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord delights in you... (Isaiah 62:4)

And they shall call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken... (Isaiah 62:12)

The Lord called your name Green Olive Tree, Lovely and Of Good Fruit... (Jeremiah 11:16)

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ... (Romans 8:16-17)

...God has called us to peace. (1 Corinthians 7:15)

...may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus... (1 Peter 5:10)

...you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light... (1 Peter 2:9)

In the new covenant that was established through the Cross, the Lord is both Father and Husband to us all, and if mere human relationships need to be built on quality time, intimacy and honesty, what more our coming to know the One who is ever being unveiled, and whose glories we may never fully comprehend for their vastness?

Awake to the sound of His voice, know what He has called you, and then you will be ready to follow Him wherever He calls you to. This is the way we pursue our callings. And this is the way we will find ourselves in them - entirely by His design, and through none of our workings. And the glory will all be His.

I've had a world of possibilities slip through my hands
And prayers that went unanswered that I couldn't understand
There's a faith that can move mountains but I never let it move me
I only trusted things that I could see

So much frustration and trying it alone
I've had the revelation I can't make it on my own

Deep in my heart, deep in my soul
There was always something missing
Now You've got my full attention
I give You my life, surrender control
Oh I finally learned to listen to the call
I give You my all
- Avalon (All)