Calling and Purpose—Selected Examples from Scripture and Life—Part Four, Contemporary Saints B
The themes of calling and purpose are significant ones that we see throughout Scripture. In this and several following posts, we’ll look at selected examples from the Bible—both Old and New Testaments, as well as at some more contemporary called ones.
Selected list of contemporary saints, part B
Jimmy Carter
Peanut farmer.
President of the United States.
Ambassador for peace.
Sunday School Teacher.
Habitat for Humanity volunteer.
George H.W. Bush
Military service.
Ambassador.
Leader.
President of the United States.
Statesman.
Clara Barton
Serve God by serving wounded soldiers.
Nurse in the Civil War.
Founding the American Red Cross.
Galileo
Science.
The solar system.
Abraham Lincoln
Law.
Congressman.
President of the United States during the Civil War.
Unity of the states.
Susan B Anthony
Quaker social reformer.
Women’s rights activist.
African American rights activist.
Women’s suffrage movement leader.
Anti-slavery campaigner.
Eric Liddell
Running.
The Olympics.
Missionary to China.
Sojourner Truth
African-American abolitionist (herself born into slavery; escaped to freedom).
Women’s rights activist.
Union Army recruiter.
William Wilberforce
British Christian member of Parliament.
Life’s work—accomplished the peaceful abolition of slavery in Great Britain.
Some additional thoughts:
Your calling(s) can change over time. Your spiritual gifts may too.
Knowing your calling involves asking God throughout your life how He wishes to use you and your gifts.
Reflect:
With which of the above examples do you most resonate? Why?
Is this perhaps a clue as to your own calling and purpose? Describe:
Seek out a coach, mentor, trusted advisor to help you discern next steps.
Pray.
Important resources:
Take this free spiritual gifts assessment or this free Spanish language spiritual gifts assessment.
Purchase the six-week workbook in English or Spanish:
DIOS. DONES. TÚ.: Tu llamado y diseño único (Spanish Edition)
Downloadable Resources--See Sample List of Interest Areas; Your Spiritual Gifts—A Study Guide; Knowing Your Unique Calling and Purpose Study Guide; Whole-Life Ministry: A Form of Worship, Grace-Giving, and Living into Your Calling.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, DIOS. DONES. TÚ.: Tu llamado y diseño único (Spanish Edition), and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with hundreds of faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and executive leaders in a diversity of fields for four decades. She currently serves as Catalyst for Equipping at her church.
Photo © Shirley Giles Davis.
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