For the full post, click here:

http://thenobleheart.com/2010/10/go-with-what-you-know/

Over the years I have met many gifted, aware, devoted people who felt lost, stuck or paralyzed in the pursuit of their calling. Then, of course, I have my own paralysis. Every story and conversation about this issue has caused me to ask “why”.

We have all acted out of what we have believed (be it falsehood or truth) or what we have owned about ourselves at a deep heart level. So, I have scribbled down a few ideas that I will think will help to counter the debilitating ideas that float around concerning the issue of calling.

Go with what you know. You are only responsible for what you currently know, keeping in mind that what you know is partial and incomplete. Walk in the clarity that God has given you – only then will He give you more.

Let go of what you don’t love. Coming to grips with what you don’t love is valuable – it’s not wasted time. We waste a lot of time and energy feeling guilty and condemned over the things that we are not passionate about.

Live like an artist. Develop and create your art simply because you love it, not for a paycheck, approval or promotion.

Keep income and calling separate in your thinking. Don’t complicate things by putting these two together. At some point, they may merge, but one must not be dependent on the other.

“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”-John Wooden. Start creating and offering what God has put in you with whatever resources you have in terms available time, technology, contacts, and opportunities. Don’t wait for someone to endorse or “anoint” you, for “large” audiences, a paycheck, position, title or a degree.

God is simply asking us to live honestly and generously in the place we are already in. We must offer the brilliance, strength, beauty, abundance, and splendor God has given us. Walking in our calling does not often require a big transition or life change like quitting a job, starting something new, or living somewhere else.

The development of the weightiness of our life is of utmost importance. Growth always includes knowledge, experience/experimentation, being mentored / coached / modeled, time for assimilation and maturing (fermentation).

Don’t wait for things to be “ideal” – Don’t wait for a job or position offer, endorsements, a certain amount in savings or an inheritance, or a close community of friends and allies to begin walking out your call.

God is comfortable with your trying. God is not afraid and you are not in great danger…if your idea has passed the “moral” and “ethical” filter and you understand your role (husband / wife, father / mother, employee, etc.). Get the perspective of others. Just ask – people are always willing to lend their insight to you.

1 Samuel 10:6,7 The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power…and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.

There is a difference between waiting on God and procrastination, between moving in faith with an assurance of God’s love and striving.

Trying to understand the difference and living on the right side,

Gary

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Note from Doug – Gary Barkalow is releasing his new book “It’s Your Call“.  I’ve been privileged to preview this breakthrough book.  Look for it in my next post.  For now, you can order it from his site at http://www.thenobleheart.com/store.

Questions about life, relationships, faith and your purpose for even being here.

I’ve sat and listened to dozens who were both angry and disappointed with the answers they did find or could not seem to find to their very tough questions. Just in the last few weeks, I’ve heard from three different teachers that they had a list of questions from high school teens.

Questions that are really, really tough.

I know you have questions.  So we want to provide you with an opportunity to both ask your questions AND possibly have your question podcasted here at Into the Wilderness. We want to take the next month to assemble a list of questions and then, one by one, we are going to team up with some incredible people to do our best to offer you the answers that we can.

In the boxes below, give us your name, e-mail and your question.  We’ll update the progress of the list and show you samples of the questions.  Please, as you do this, be completely honest about the questions.  No question is too tough.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

P.S.  After you submit your question, you will receive a confirmation e-mail in your mailbox.  There will be a link to click on to confirm your question, just as a safeguard against spam for you and us.  Please click on this link.  Your question will not be submitted unless you complete this step!  Thanks!

- Doug

Good morning! Oh my Lord. There is SO much in my little ol’ pea brain right now! Right now, I wanted to share with you that if your group, company, church or other organization is in need of some renewal, focus, vision or bonding, Judy and I are available for a very limited number of speaking and facilitation engagements in the next year!

We want to hear from you and see if there is a place we can serve you and your mission. From one hour consultations to three day retreats.

Please contact us and book early!

We can cover any number of topics. Have a look around the blog and you’ll get an idea of our vision and mission.

E-mail me at intothewilderness@gmail.com.

Looking forward!

Doug and Judy

I start getting the words out and I realize how overdone it can sound. You can hear it out of the mouths of any celebrity just exiting re-hab and turning over a new leaf. You can hear it from any one who has just had a transformational experience with this speaker or that event.

I, by no means, want to diminish or judge those experiences. I have had several myself.

This weekend was one of those.

There is healing here for the wounds left in you by life’s events. There is insight into forgiving and being forgiven. There is a beauty in a new understanding of the unseen and eternal.

And, at the same time, I know these are not “magic pills”. Some of you will hate it. For others, it will hurt too much to read. I can’t filter that for you. I can only share with you that I recommend very few books. I am compelled to recommend this one to you.

Please read this book. (Order through this link for the best price. My gift to you.)

Doug