College students, especially those about to graduate, inevitably are asked, “What are you doing after you graduate?” Most of the college seniors I know feel like if one more person asks that question, they will (insert threat here). Concerns about the future are definitely weighing heavy on most students minds. But at the same time they may be filled with anxiety about that future—or anxiety about not having a clear plan yet.
How can we help students as they try to navigate God’s plan for their lives? Heck, how do I as an almost-thirty-something know what God wants ME to do when I grow up?
I just finished listening to Francis Chan’s audio book Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit. I have to say, this book really helped me when it comes to focusing on those future concerns. Chan urges people to, instead of focusing on “God’s will for our lives,” focus on listening to the Holy Spirit’s direction in our day-to-day activities. This makes so much sense to me—as I follow God’s direction in my daily choices, those choices eventually make up the trajectory for my life. And that will ultimately determine my future.
Whoa.
So. How do we help students who are trying to figure out what to major in, trying to find an internship, trying to decide whether to get married, trying to figure out whether to get a Master’s degree or have kids first? I figure we can remind them of a few of their “callings” that they can always rest for sure in:
– They are called to pick up and carry their cross daily.
This doesn’t really imply those everyday challenges we all face, but instead the call to radically deny ourselves and follow Christ, even if it leads to our death. This radical call to discipleship is a lifelong journey, and we can equip our students for it through our ministries.
– They are called to listen to the Holy Spirit.
As their ministers and mentors, we can model this for them by truly doing this ourselves. Learning to hear God’s voice takes a lot of time and practice, and I think people are much more likely to “catch” this habit than be taught it. We can offer them all the fancy programs and groups we want. But they won’t be able to “carry their crosses” as radical disciples unless they learn to listen to the Spirit within them.
– They are called to be a part of the body of Christ.
Each student has a vital role to play in his or her local body of believers. As a church-based “minister,” I’m not sure that they always realize this. I think some students feel like churches only want to serve them, rather than wanting to serve alongside them. Students need us to empower them to figure out how God has gifted them and then give them plenty of opportunities to use those gifts—even if it seems a little risky. I think much of the church-hopping students do during their college years could be rectified if they felt like they were vital organs and limbs of the church.
If we can help students cling to these callings, and see that God can use anything and everything from their pasts as part of their destiny, we can much more easily walk alongside them in the “details” of how they are going to live out these callings. We have several dedicated students at our church, and I simply cannot wait to see how God uses their lives. They may be unsure of the logistics of when and how they will get there, but they have a strong sense of calling in their lives—and I like to think they know they’re loved.
- How do we model a lifestyle of listening to the Holy Spirit?
- How can churches help students be a vital part of their ministries?
- How do we help students know what their gifts are?
- What does it look like to live as a radical disciple?
- What “callings” would you add to the three here?
- How have you helped students “find their callings”?
What are your thoughts?
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Ashley Linne is currently trying to finish up a Master’s degree in Family Life Education and figure out how God wants her to use it. She and her husband, Aaron, lead a small group at their church, Mosaic Nashville, where they love on college students and adults alike. You can contact her at ashleylinne@gmail.com or ashleylinne.wordpress.com.
One thought on “How Do We Help Students Find Their Calling?”
During J-term, I along with one of our counselors teach a class for upperclassmen called, “Calling, Being, Doing: Rethinking the Rest of Your Life.” We utilize the book “The Will of God as a Way of Life” by Jerry Sittser. For most students “calling” is about the future. It is in hopes and dreams and possible events that will take place somewhere after graduation. I like what you say about “listening to the Holy Spirit” because that is in the present. The college students that are finding their so called “calling” are those who are actually listening to the Holy Spirit’s nudges in the present and acting upon them now. Living radically, using gifts, and involvement in the local church happens now – but the student has to be able to reorient themselves from the obsession of future events. Another almost myth of calling is that there is only ONE. Helping students see that there are multiple calling in life (i.e. I am a father, husband, pastor, artist, neighbor, etc…) helps take the pressure off finding that “one” calling. It helps one focus on where the Holy Spirit has gifted them and how that plays out in all of their different “callings.” I always try and get students to see their calling as now – living fully human in the present moment – empowered by the Holy Spirit and ready to make visible the kingdom where they currently find themselves. The future is uncertain – but now is not. Those students who can make this reorientation are the ones who are leaving after 4 (or so) years and making big differences in our world for Christ! Thanks for your article and your willingness to focus on the Holy Spirit.
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