A Guide To Knowing When You’re Being Called – Step 2

In my previous post we looked at the first step in a three step process for knowing when you’re being called. But what’s the next clue? What happens next?

How to move closer to your calling

We left off with Scott Harrison, the Founder and CEO of charity:water. Scott was FED-UP with his personal failures and the painful numbness that came with his destructive lifestyle. Scott knew he had to change his life to save his life.

Change is not easy. But admitting to the mess of our own making is what’s required to make meaningful change in our lives.

For Scott Harrison this watershed moment involved an ex-con nightclub bouncer who wanted him dead. In Scott’s own words from Thirst:

“I was shocked. For so long, I’d been living like I didn’t care what happened to me. But now that someone else wanted me dead, life suddenly felt precious.”

In that moment Scott had clarity, and he took the second step towards knowing he was being called:

Scott OWNED-UP to his mistakes, to his failures, to his hurts.

Pride covers your ears to your calling

When you OWN-UP to what’s been holding you back in life, you’re taking a big step towards a changed life.

I know it’s easier said than done, because if it were easy, everyone would do it. It’s hard to OWN-UP to where you are, to OWN-UP to the decisions that got you there.

The truth is, there’s an enemy that’s holding you back. An enemy that wants to keep you down, and that enemy is Pride.

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Pr 11:2 (NLTSE)

Pride stops us from admitting the truth. Pride stops us from seeing a different future. Pride tells us the lie about the life we’re living. Pride tells us that we got it right and everyone else has it wrong.

Pride stops us from moving forward.

Scott lived a prideful life, but when his life jumped the rails he did the wise thing: he sought out other people that could help him.

Scott let other people who cared about him, speak into his life.

He spoke to his father. He sought out friends leading healthier lifestyles. Also, he got down on his knees and asked for answers in those challenging and painful moments.

Humility allowed Scott to envision a better life, because Humility, is the enemy of Pride.

So ask yourself, what do you need to OWN-UP to that’s holding you back?

Maybe it isn’t as destructive as Scott’s lifestyle, but nonetheless it’s just as limiting.

• The handcuff of an addiction.
• The weight of financial debt.
• The fear of failure.
• The lie that you’re not good enough.
• The shame of a prior decision.
• The fear of change.
• The need to forgive.
• The need to be forgiven.

Whatever it is that’s pinning you down, OWN-UP to it.  Stare it in the face. OWN-UP to it but don’t let it define you. Be humble and admit to your mistakes, and seek help from people who can help.

Calling your boogeyman out into the light is a HUGE step towards identifying and moving towards your calling.

Scott Harrison was FED-UP with where his life was going and his humility allowed him to OWN-UP to his mistakes. Join me next time and I’ll reveal to you the third step of knowing WHEN you’re being called.

Be Wise and Successful…

1. OWN-UP. The scariest part of making a change is to OWN-UP to where you are. Self-reflection is tough. Examine what you’ve done and what has brought you into your current situation. Read Step #1, “Start with a Life Assessment”, in my free eBook.

2. Humbly seek guidance. Don’t fight your challenges alone. Talk to others who care about you and tell them what you’re thinking and ask for their guidance. Seek out people who can give you emotional and spiritual support.

3. Ignore your detractors. Purposefully avoid people that want to hold you down and hold you back. Remove yourself from unhealthy relationships and be encouraged that you’re taking the first steps towards a healthier and more fulfilling future.