In every story, the protagonist is called to do something. Save the world. Meet the one. Find their purpose.
Though super powers and high drama aren’t reality, every person in the world is on a journey. That journey has a call that must be answered. I received my call when I was really young: be an author. I knew little about how to accomplish this purpose other than my naïve idea of writing a book, handing it to Barnes and Nobles, and seeing it appear on shelves everywhere. I’ve learned more about the stressful world of publishing and am still navigating my next steps.
I’ve been blessed with many influences that have helped me hone my gifts, but I know not everyone has that same certainty. For this reason, I grabbed a book that helped me understand how to use my gifts productively.
Called to Create by Jordan Raynor takes business and creativity from a Biblical perspective. I know not everyone is a Christian, but the book has wisdom everyone can use. For example, three questions you can ask yourself to help discover your purpose.
What are You Passionate About?
“Identifying passions . . . is key to discerning our calling, . . .”
Raynor, Jordan. Called to Create. United States of America: Baker Books, 2017. Print. pg. 55.
That one phrase that ties all your thoughts into a nice bow. That mission that keeps you awake and seeking the next opportunity.
Sometimes passion is hard to pin down. I went through a lot of one-liners before I really defined my why. “To impact how people see themselves and the world.” I will say that each phrase I crafted, be it “Tell the Untold” or something else, had hints of this primary thought. This desire to push people to dream big, to let their imaginations show them something new. To reveal truth and beauty in a way that you can’t wrap your head around. To tell the stories that go unnoticed, so we might learn from each other.
With my central passion defined, I diverged into different mediums. I can tell a story through writing or graphic design. Even crocheting and cooking sparks the imagination. Knowing your passion is the foundation and a jump off point for the next step.
What are Your Gifts?
“We don’t enter our careers knowing what we will be exceptionally good. . . individual failures don’t necessarily mean we aren’t gifted in a particular field.”
Raynor, Jordan. Called to Create. United States of America: Baker Books, 2017. Print. pg. 57.
My gift of writing was obvious at the get-go. I loved to write, took it very seriously, and put a little too much effort into projects (still do). For example, in sixth grade I was assigned to write a book. While others had large pictures, I had to shrink my font just to fit six chapters into a set page limit. My love/hate relationship with editing is ongoing, but I have no concerns about prose.
Design and drawing took more effort. For an subjective practice, I made a lot of mistakes in my own eyes. Still make mistakes. But I learn and improve with every inspiration. Because I love to draw and design, I put in the effort to grow, which connects back to passions.
Sometimes your gift is born with you. Other times, you need to learn a talent that you’re passionate about. If it’s not natural, keep going. Mistakes will be made, but that’s not a sign to give up. Especially when the next question is so important.
Where are Your Greatest Opportunities to Help Others?
In Called to Create, Raynor discussed how working for God is the best route. Take a breath, guys; you’re still loved even if you don’t believe. And that’s the key here. God is love, so the higher purpose to achieve is loving and supporting others.
I personally work for His glory, not my own. Sometimes I write something for myself or play with an idea I want, but He always seems to come around with the key ingredient or theme that makes the story pure “magic.” And since He gave me a giving personality, I always want to help and inspire people, which is the end goal for all my writing, designing, and other chaos. It’s interesting how the best projects aren’t self-focused but other-focused.
Search for ways to help people with your passion and gifts. There’s billions of people in the world with billions of different problems. Some of which you can solve. Look for the problems you can fix and bring the solution to them.
Final Thoughts: Action Required
Remember when I said that I got my calling young? I didn’t answer until I was fourteen, when I wrote my first book. If you factor in social platforming and how that builds an author, that took more convincing.
The call will always be around, vibrating until it shifts off the table. But it can’t be answered without action. The questions above are guides to help direct you, but they mean nothing without physical action toward your final victory.
