“The Fusion of Destiny”
Dear Writer, I hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving and grabbed a chance to revisit your “why!” As mentioned last week, there are few things more powerful than taking our “why” and discovering its intersection with our unique voice. Because here’s the thing…
Our writing voice is tied directly to our identity. Similarly, our “why” is connected to our calling. When we begin to grasp the two simultaneously, we begin to gain a clearer and clearer picture of God’s vision for our lives.
But before we dive in, let’s take a look at some others whose fusion of identity and calling transformed their life’s work…
Fusing Identity and Calling in History
William Wilberforce is a great example of a man whose identity collided with his “why.” When Wilberforce was saved, he found a strength and identity in Christ that completely reinterpreted his world. In fact, this new identity nearly caused him to abandon his political calling entirely. But through wise counsel and God’s grace, Wilberforce merged his new identity with his calling and literally changed the known world through his work to end the slave trade.
Fusing Identity and Calling in the Bible
Paul is another powerful example of a man whose combination of identity and calling impacted the world—and still does. Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ radically changed his identity. He was no longer a Pharisee of Pharisees but a bond slave of the Lord. Though his goal to advance God’s Kingdom remained the same, Paul’s obedience to let his God-given identity shape his call to become a minister of the Gospel to the Gentiles rocked the known Jewish world and helped usher in God’s grand design for his people. The mystery of the One New Man
And here’s the thing, writer. The seeds of our calling can often show up early in life, but it’s only as we grow in our identity that we discover to clarity in our life’s calling.
Fusing Identity and Calling in Life
Beginning in my mid-twenties, I began to understand that God had given me an identity as a leader. I also knew He’d called me to write His words and to help His people experience His truth. That identity and calling first collided, when God led me to teach news writing in Uganda. I had never felt more alive, though I didn’t fully grasp why until later as God revealed more, and as I pursued Him and all He had shown me. And here’s the thing, writer…
Fusing Identity and Calling in Your Life
Like every other part of life and writing, fusing your identity and calling—your voice and your why—is a journey. That journey begins when we take what we know and move forward in wholehearted faith that the One who called us will bring to completion every good work He’s started in us. And here’s the lovely thing. Our faithfulness with the little we do know opens the doors for more. Let me prove it to you…
-
- “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” – Luke 16:10
- His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ – Matthew 25:21
- “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 7Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. – Matthew 24:45-47
- God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. – Hebrews 6:10-12
- Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9
- I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:14
You see, writer, as we move ahead with the Lord in what we know, it positions and prepares us to step into God’s greater works. And here is the truly lovely thing. The work God has for us has already been prepared. It’s simply a matter of allowing God to prepare us through our exercise of faith in Him.
Where to Start with Identity and Calling
So are you ready to start moving ahead more intentionally in the intersection of your identity and calling? If you are, here are a few things to consider…
-
- Seek God. If you’ll notice, writer, Wilberforce, Paul and myself each had an identity rooted firmly in who God said we were. If you’ve never done so before, and even if you have, I strongly encourage you to set aside some time to prayerfully ask the Lord who He’s created you to be. Write down any thoughts, scriptures, or memories that comes to mind. Then, I encourage you to share what you wrote with a mature believer who knows you well to get their thoughts and feedback as well.
- Review Your Life. Make a list of the moments you felt most alive and the moments you know God has worked powerfully through you. Not always, but often, there is a fusion of identity and calling that is taking place in those moments!
- Move in Faith. Write down what you currently know of your identity and calling and prayerfully consider what small step of faith you can take now. Is there a class you need to take? Is there a time or place you can start practicing your writing? Is there a way you can begin making some identity-based decisions?
- Keep It in Front. As you go, you will need to keep your identity and calling in front of you. I encourage you to write down scriptures and statements pertaining to your God-given identity and calling. Review them daily and pray over them regularly. Because here’s the thing…
No one ever fulfilled their high calling from God by accident. It always comes with an intentional push and often with a struggle. Just like Wilberforce’s uphill battle against slavery. Just like Paul’s tumultuous missionary career. Even my own journey, though sweet, has had its unexpected share of pains. Because here’s the real deal…
All growing things encounter resistance—a resistance that strengthens them for the next stage of their development. And as we pursue our understanding of God and of our destiny in Him through the fusion of our voice and calling, it’s our faith to persist in the work and to rely on the Him that allows Him to shape us for our future. And here is the most marvelous thing of all.
It is also in that space of growth that, by His grace, He begins to use us to shape a future for others, too. Just like He did for the African and European peoples through Wilberforce. Just like He did for the Gentiles through Paul. Just like He’s done for many writers and leaders through my life.
So I encourage you today, writer, to embrace the mystery and reality of God’s vision for your life. It’s only as we pursue Him and His heavenly vision for us that we truly come to know Him and make Him known.
#vision #identity #calling #voice #why #EveryWriterWriting
