I believe God is calling me to become a school teacher and has been showing me signs when I ask Him to show me some to confirm if this calling is from Him but deep down, I don’t know if I had the skills and the gifts to teach and it scares me if I enter this career and it does not go well. However, I know that if the Lord called me to it He will ensure I have what it takes to do well. My question is whether God calls people to specific careers even if you don’t feel fit to do it. I have a slight interest in that career but its not strong. I know that the Lord knows whats best for me and this may very well be Him guiding me but deep down, I’m confused as to what to do and im also scared if i choose a different career God will ask me why I didnt follow His calling for my life. Any response helps thanks!
God doesn’t call the equipped. God equips the called. Feeling a little bit like Abraham today? Lol
I was going to respond until I saw @Edward429451 reponse. That is spot on. It seems you understand that as well. Trust in God. He does not call anyone and not equip them with what they need.
Peter
Grab a copy of the book What Color Is My Parachute. Do this now.
Consecrate two weeks of your life to working through the exercises in this book. Starting now. Hey, we’re talking about the next 50 years of your life! Do you want to drift through your days aimlessly?
Look yourself up in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, after clarifying just what it is that makes you tick, what you love to do, what God has made you to do. (Eph. 2:10)
As a wise man once said, “God will never whisper the meaning of your life into another man’s ear.” Get to work on clarifying your vocation, then see where God leads you, and the kind of mentors He brings into your life.
I was nearly 30 when I discovered that God had made me to be a technical writer. Not a pastor. Not a missionary to a Muslim nation. Not a small group leader in my church. I’d made it all the way through college without discovering my real vocation. But when I took my BA in Humanities into the work force, all the big kids laughed at me.
An elder in my church told me “Tom, I know technical writers, and you are nothing like them.” A technical writer, a brother in a different church, said “Tom, get an associate’s degree in electronics or computer programming.” Finally, when I was frustrated enough to seek the Lord with prayer and fasting, I found myself doing two things, instead of wanting to do a dozen things:
- I began taking data processing classes at the community college.
- I began substitute teaching for the local public school system.
Soon thereafter, I found a mentor, a programmer / editor / publisher who opened the door to the world of professional technical writing. (and he wasn’t even a Christian!) And I began building a portfolio.
Well, that’s the Walt Disney version of my story.
As others have said, I think there is plenty of biblical precedent for God calling people to do things when they don’t look equipped in the world’s eyes or they don’t feel equipped and ready. From my own life, I can affirm that God usually opens one door at a time. He rarely allows us to see the full picture at once (which would probably overwhelm us), but gently leads us as we step out in faith. One thing leads to another, one connection leads to another, and then one day you can look back and see God’s hand in all of it.
I get it, though—it can definitely feel overwhelming and uncertain when you’re taking that first step, but I would advise to not think too big picture right now and focus more on faithfully taking the first step and giving it your all. Praying for you!
An old pastor spoke of “guidance through bloody noses.” Get moving. Knock on a likely door. If you bloody your nose slamming into a locked door, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again.