Discovering Your True Calling: Lessons from John the Baptist
Do you really know who you are and the purpose God has for your life? John the Baptist’s story offers a clear blueprint for clarity, calling, and fulfillment.
“He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ.’” – John 1:20
One of my favorite Bible study exercises is character study, and John the Baptist stands out as one of the most compelling figures. His life was simple, yet he carried a profound clarity about his purpose. He was called to be a forerunner, a messenger sent to prepare the people for repentance and ultimately to introduce them to Jesus Christ. Though his life was brief—he died before Jesus—he fully fulfilled his calling. He accomplished his mission, and Jesus Himself affirmed his greatness:
“For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist…” – Luke 7:28
True significance is not measured by human accolades or worldly definitions of success—but by what God says about us.
Jesus elevates John above even Moses and Elijah, whom Israel regarded as the greatest of prophets. This teaches a vital lesson: true significance is not measured by human accolades or worldly definitions of success—but by what God says about us.
In the church, the word “calling” is often narrowly associated with formal ministry. Yet God’s calling extends beyond the pulpit. He calls each of us to fulfill a purpose—whether as a teacher, doctor, scientist, lawyer, entrepreneur, or any other role. Success and fulfillment come when we align our lives with the calling God has placed on us.
Your calling defines your abilities, and your abilities determine where you will thrive.
Consider formal education: many pursue careers in which they are technically qualified yet fail to flourish. I know someone who holds a Master’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree in fields outside computer science or engineering, yet has found success as a technology professional and executive—not because of his formal training alone, but because God equipped me with the talent, passion, and aptitude to succeed in this domain. True success flows from God-given ability, not merely credentials.
Conversely, people often chase careers for which they lack natural talent or calling, shifting from one pursuit to another in frustration. Discover what your natural abilities are and pursue a profession or career that aligns with those abilities. Your calling defines your abilities, and your abilities determine where you will thrive.
Knowing Who You Are Not
Knowing who you are begins with knowing who you are not.
Returning to John the Baptist, what captivates me is his clarity of identity and mission. Verse 20 recounts his response to the Jewish religious leaders—the Pharisees, Sadducees, and rulers—who asked him, “Who are you?” (v. 19). He answered unequivocally, “I am not the Christ.” He did not try to be the Christ even when others thought he was or wanted him to be the Christ.
When asked if he was Elijah or the Prophet (the latter predicted in Deuteronomy 18:15), he emphatically denied it, showing a profound awareness of who he was not. Knowing who you are begins with knowing who you are not.
Without this clarity, you risk trying to be someone else—or allowing others to shape you according to their expectations.
A note to parents of young children: God-given abilities often appear early. Attentive parents can discern these gifts and nurture them wisely. You may dream of your child becoming a doctor, but if their abilities lie elsewhere, forcing them into that path may stunt their growth. Inspire and encourage ambition, but guide them according to the unique gifts God has placed in them. Likewise, as adults, we must aim high without losing sight of who God created us to be.
Reflect, take note of your calling, and move forward with clarity and confidence in God’s plan for your life.
In the next installment of this series, we will explore why understanding our true identity is essential and the power, grace, and freedom that flow from that knowledge.