One of the most common questions I hear from women is this:
“What does God want me to do with my life?”
We often use words like purpose, calling, and assignment interchangeably—but Scripture shows us that they are distinct, layered, and revealed over time. God is not confusing or distant. He is intentional, relational, and deeply invested in forming who you are before revealing what you will do.
Below is a biblical framework to help you discern God’s calling on your life, starting with what never changes, moving into what God is asking of you right now, and finally, how your long-term calling unfolds.
1. Start With Your Universal Calling
Before you ask what you are called to do, Scripture invites you to understand who you are called to be.
Your universal calling is the foundation for every believer. It does not change with seasons, circumstances, personality, or opportunity. These callings are unshakable and eternal.
Here are several core biblical truths about your universal calling:
- You are called to believe in Jesus Christ: “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:29)
- You are called to eternal life: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).
- You are called to love God fully: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
- You are called to love others: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:3).
- You are called to walk as children of light: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8)
- You are called to sanctification: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
- You are called to make disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
- You are called to holiness: “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)
- You are called into relationship with Jesus: “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)
When knowing Jesus becomes your greatest treasure, everything else begins to fall into place.
Clarity follows surrender.
“Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” (Luke 9:24).
2. Discern Your Current Assignment
Unlike calling, your assignment answers the question: “God, what are You asking me to do right now?”
Assignments are seasonal. They change, evolve, and sometimes expire. They are not your identity or your final destination—but they are deeply formative.
Three Questions to Discern Your Current Assignment
1. What has God placed in front of me right now?
Not hypothetically. Not someday. Right now.
- What responsibilities are yours today?
- What relationships need stewardship?
- What burden keeps surfacing in your spirit?
God rarely asks you to steward something He has not already placed before you.
2. What grace has God given me for this season?
Grace is more than skill—it is strength, capacity, and peace.
You may have grace right now for motherhood, healing, resting, studying, building, waiting, or serving.
Assignments are recognized by grace, not just ability.
3. What obedience today will prepare me for tomorrow?
Today’s obedience is the bridge to tomorrow’s calling.
Writing consistently. Studying Scripture deeply. Saying yes to mentoring. Saying no to distractions. Showing up faithfully where God has planted you.
Assignments shape calling long before calling becomes public.
Assignments are not just tasks—they are tools of formation.
God uses assignments to produce:
- Humility
- Endurance
- Character
- Spiritual maturity
- Discernment
- Preparation
You are not “just” raising children—you are learning shepherding.
You are not “just” serving—you are learning leadership.
You are not “just” working—you are learning diligence and honor.
You are not behind.
You are not off track.
You are in formation.
3. Identity Your Personal Calling
Your personal calling—your destiny—is revealed over time through obedience, pain, grace, and divine placement.
Here are five markers Scripture uses to bring clarity:
- Pay attention to holy burdens. What breaks your heart? What stirs compassion, prayer, or righteous anger? Often, your calling is hidden inside your burden.
- Notice where God keeps placing you. Placement is not accidental. God often reveals destiny through proximity.
- Look at your God-given gifts and wiring. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10).
- Watch for fruit and favor. Where there is grace, peace, impact, and spiritual alignment—God is breathing there.
- Walk through doors God opens. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD.” (Psalm 37:23)
Calling becomes clear as you walk.
4. Embrace Obedience
There is no fulfillment of calling without obedience.
Esther obeyed—and God saved a nation.
Mary obeyed—and Christ entered the world.
Joseph obeyed—and Israel was preserved.
God does not force obedience. He invites it.
He is not looking for perfection—He is looking for availability. God supplies what obedience requires.
Final Encouragement
You will never receive the full blueprint for your life—only the next step. And the next step is always revealed through obedience.
So ask yourself today:
- What is God asking me to say yes to?
- What do I need to lay down?
- Am I being faithful with what He has already placed in my hands?
- When you show up and obey, God reveals what’s next.
You are not forgotten. You are not misplaced. You are positioned—for such a time as this.
Want to Go Deeper?
This message comes from Episode 1 of The Bible Made Real With Kathy Podcast: “What is God’s Calling On My Life?”
You can listen wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to Kathy’s email list for free Bible study tools and weekly devotionals.
