“We hold ourselves back in ways both big and small, by lacking self-confidence, by not raising our hands, and by pulling back when we should be leaning in.”
This quote from Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead, got me thinking about the idea of Leaning Into God.
Throughout the book, one message rings clear, if you want something or want to do something. Then you must stand up for it and sometimes fight for it.
But instead of LEANING IN… Are you ‘fighting’ against something God is asking you to do? ‘Fighting’ against your Calling?
I want to use this LEAN IN concept to show you how to stop fighting and get clarity to Lean Into God to Step Into Your Calling.
Lean Into God To Step Into Your Calling
Since I love acronyms, I have devised this one to help.
L – listen to God
E – evaluate and reframe your viewpoint
A – access His power
N – note or place your attention
I – imitate the Father and Christ
N – His Name, your reputation, and whose you are
Only by working on these actions can you stop the almost nagging pull on your heart from God to step out in faith and do what He is asking you to do.
Listen To God
For me, this journey, this real Leaning in, began twenty years ago with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.
For that first year after diagnosis, I was mad at God for allowing this to happen to me. I felt He had abandoned me, and I could not find Him. I was lost. He was somewhere but hidden from me like the clouds were obscuring Him from my view.
In his book, Maximum Faith, George Barna identifies ten stops along the path toward wholeness. I was at stop seven, ‘experiencing personal brokenness.’
And believe me, I was broken.
God uses these times of ‘brokenness’ to teach us important things. For me, it was that I really needed to depend on Him. It started when I decided to LEAN IN and just thank God each morning when I got out of bed. I thanked Him that He allowed me to take care of my family.
Now I hope God has not had to be this dramatic with you to get your attention. Maybe it is just a consistent pull in your heart and soul about something He wants you to do.
Don’t ignore it. It will not go away, not if it is truly from Him.
Evaluate and Reframe Your Viewpoint
God is urging you to be an entrepreneur because He will use your business to make you more like His Son. This is His way of transforming you.
When I first got into business, I didn’t know what I was doing. So, I found myself continually taking more and more time for God. Needing His guidance and needing Him MORE so I could do what He was asking me to do.
Are you being drawn closer to God through this urging to go into business? That’s a sign it is working already. That means your goals are coming into alignment with His. How does this happen? By reading the Bible, studying God’s character, and seeing the world through His eyes instead of your own.
Cooperation with God is key to this transformation. But, unfortunately, your ‘fighting’ your Calling is holding you back from this transformation.
Access His power
When the Holy Spirit lives inside you as a child of God, you are filled with God’s power. You have the power to overcome, you have the power to stay focused, and you have the power to do the things you are called to do each day.
This power is available to you if you know how to use it. For example, have you ever put yourself into a better mood by imagining you are at the beach, by the water, or at any of your favorite locations?
Try this exercise… Imagine putting on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Then, place each piece onto your body, ready for whatever happens that day. This is God inside you, and it will give you power.
Many times though, we feel powerless to do what God is calling us to do. We are not. In fact, God has equipped you with everything you need to do what He is asking you to do. AND, He provides resources to help you with the things you still need to learn.
There really is no excuse not to step into (lean into) what God is repeatedly telling you to do.
Note or Place Your Attention – Clarifying
This is the work God is calling you to do right now. So take time to reflect on what the Holy Spirit prompts you to do daily. This is where faith-life meets business life.
You cannot have a God-centered business without first being totally committed to God. You cannot be satisfied that you are doing what God has called you to do if you are not focused on who He has called you to serve and how you can best serve them.
Pay attention to who and what God brings into your path each day, things that confirm that He wants you to pursue this entrepreneurial direction. Pay attention to ‘God moments’ and reflect on the direction God is showing you.
When you are aware of God working in your daily life, you see exactly what you need to succeed. So focus your attention on finding the path forward. He has laid it out for you.
This openness to His Calling helps you to see the future, know that He is guiding you, and you can let go of the fighting and trust the resources He is placing in your path to help you.
Imitate the Father and Christ
This part happens once you Lean Into God to Step Into Your Calling and are doing the work God has called you to do.
As an entrepreneur, you ‘get to’ represent God in the marketplace. You can show others His goodness and be light in a dark world. I call it the frontlines.
You are building relationships with those in your sphere of influence who may never hear a sermon or enter a church building, but they see Jesus through you. This includes followers, clients, business partners, and more.
This Calling you fought for so long is really your perfect place to be able to do what ultimately, we are all called to do, make disciples. When you Lean Into God to Step Into Your Calling, you fulfill your part in God’s story for the world.
His Name, Your Reputation, and Whose You Are
God has written your name in His Book, and you are wearing His Name here on earth. That doesn’t mean you need to run yourself into the ground “doing all the good things” for God. It means you just do what He is asking you to do when He asks you to do it.
Leaning in takes time; it takes commitment. Like anything else in your life that is worth doing, it will take discipline. BUT it is so rewarding. Especially when you ‘”Get to” do it through business.
I love to say, “we need to be so filled up with Jesus that everyone around you can’t help but see Him sticking out all over the place in your life.” That includes what He is putting on your heart right now to do.
This life is an adventure. God has selected yours specifically to grow you in a relationship with Him.
Ready to get started?
Ready to let go and trust God?
Ready to stop fighting and accept your Calling?
Lean Into God to Step Into Your Calling
P.S. You’ve ignored this Call for long enough. God has placed Calling Clarity in your path so you can finally take the step and do what He is asking you to do. Finally, you’re ready to take action. Please make an appointment today to chat with me!
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