Over the course of interviewing more than 300 people with respect to calling, I have had a number of people challenge the notion of calling. The negative responses vary. Some don’t think that all believers are called. Others think they are gifted but not called. Yet others have various misunderstandings with respect to calling.

 I have not had one person yet respond on a biblical basis that they don’t believe calling is rooted in biblical truth. Virtually all the negative responses relate to cultural conditioning with respect to calling and don’t’ reflect a biblical perspective.

 When people say that only certain people are called, such as missionaries and pastors, it is likely because that is what they grew up with in their churches. We send off someone who is called to the mission field. We welcome the new leader who is called to the pastorate. Churches do not typically affirm people who are called to the marketplace. So, the only time that someone has heard the term calling it is in relation to someone in full-time ministry.

 There is also cultural conditioning with respect to hierarchies within the church body. So, a pastor needs to be called because they are leading and preaching the Word of God. However, me, the humble factory worker? I am simply doing a job to earn a living. It is not significant; I am a mere cog in the gigantic economic engine. Luther fought this notion 500 years ago and his arguments are as valid today as they were back then. We are all called and every single job is a noble undertaking and can be done for the glory of God.

 There is also the cultural conditioning of relying on well-known biblical tales that then shape our narrative around calling. Most Christians are familiar with the “Road to Damascus” story. Saul, as he then was, is on the road hearing toward Damascus with the aim of continuing his persecution of Christians. He then encounters Christ who asks, “Why are you persecuting me?” Saul has a transformative experience and then becomes the Apostle Paul, arguably the most important person after Christ in the establishment of the Christian church.

 The take-away for most Christians is that Paul heard the audible voice of God and that they must, too. And, if they didn’t, then they were not called. So, many Christians have this subliminal notion that there is a notion of calling, but that this is reserved for other people, who have had a unique experience—but not for them.

 I have learned that very few people have clarity regarding a biblical notion of calling. Most cannot give a clear explanation of a biblical concept of calling. Very few would be able to generally refer to biblical concepts of calling, let along any specific passages.

 The bottom line is that by going back to biblical principles we can affirm the nature and extent of the meaning of calling and how it applies to us today.