You're listening to Women in Fuse Radio, where women in the marketplace connect with purpose and spirit, where the conversation covers all things women, business and fascinating fame. And now, your host, Kristi Lynn Olson. Hello, and welcome to the Women in Fuse Radio podcast. This is Unveiled Voices Episode 3.
Clarify your Divine Message. Are you ready for a little clarity today? I hope so, because today we dive into the third step of my series called Unveiled Voices and the Power of Your Calling. Clarity my friend and my nemesis.
I've learned that to get where you want to go, you need clarity. Women's steps make sense and happen so much quicker when you have that little thing called clarity. So here's my definition of clarity. It's your Divine Message, rooted in self-worth, honoring your past, discerning life patterns, determining your mission and defining how to walk it out.
Whew, that's a lot of stuff packed in. Today you're going to start unpacking and decluttering to get some clarity on the vision and calling on your life. Rebecca, Chapter 2, verses 2 through 3 in the Bible, say, write the vision and make it clear, so that the runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time.
It describes the end and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow and coming, wait patiently for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. Let's unpack that first part of the verse.
How do we make the vision clear with the correct message we want others to hear? Clarity is so critical to your Divine Message, but clarity can be elusive when we start the process. Or it might have been put on the shelf or lost in the process of all this other stuff took over. Clarity is so critical to your Divine Message, but clarity can be elusive when we start the process.
Or it might have been put on the shelf or even lost in the process as all that stuff of life took over. And we get to this place that says, how did I get here? And we've gotten so far off base from our original intent, whether it was a business that we started that looked so different and not in a good way. Or if we had this vision and we started doing all this work towards accomplishing a big goal and then we got sidetracked and now we're accomplishing three other goals and none of them are related.
And now nobody knows what we do because we do everything. And again, I want to bring you back to this point about clarity and how important it is for your Divine Message. So I think it's important to go back and take a minute to review why it's so important to do these steps in order and to reclaim our identity. Now you might have to do these steps over and over again, but I still think there's an order to them.
You can't skip a lot of the steps. And as I talked about in episode two, reclaiming your true identity. You need to make sure that you lose any lingering insecurities and self-doubt right away. And that's really critical because I've seen so many women just keep spinning and spinning around the concept of worth and identity and not understanding what their worth is and what people might be willing to pay them for and what they know and what they don't know and why is it valuable.
Frankly, some women never make it past this stage. But in order to unveil our voices, we need to make sure and get rid of that self-doubt and make sure we are living our dream, not someone else's. Remember, we want to live our dream and then move forward to clarifying our message. Let's start at the beginning.
It's time to take an inventory of your talents, skills, and abilities. Think of it as a resume. What would you list? What skills have you learned?
What talents have come naturally to you? How have you maximized your abilities to create success in your life so far? Take a few minutes and just brainstorm, literally, right now, right down, everything that comes to mind. Your education, any awards, any accomplishments, and especially things that have given you joy over the years.
Now, side note here, some of you need to get back and reflect on your past successes. We all have them. Don't tell me you have never been successful. Even if you have to go back to that time you won the 5th grade spelling bee, I don't care how small you think that is.
It could be a clue to clarifying your message and your vision. Remember, part of this whole divine calling process is to do these things that we have joy doing. Not, you know, we can learn a lot of skills, but I really want you to not only use your gifts and abilities, but you're doing them because they give you joy. So, what's those things that you love to do and that you don't think twice about doing?
Things that come easy to you or things that others often complement you on? We are so quick to dismiss a talent or a skill if we think everyone should be able to do that. But not everybody can do that because it's a skill that you have developed. Here's an example.
All spreadsheets. I do not have the gift of doing an Excel spreadsheet. I know enough to be dangerous with them, but I don't know how to make them pretty. I don't know how to slow it up.
I don't know how to do all these things that people do with them. Or maybe it's developing curriculum for a leader's retreat or coaching a soccer team. There are all these things that you may think are insignificant, but if you can do something and do it well, that is definitely a skill or a talent that you've developed. You can also take a spiritual gift inventory.
Now, spiritual gifts are specific strengths that are given to us by the Holy Spirit to be specifically used in building the kingdom of God. And they show up in how God wired you to be and do the work that you need to do to make an impact. And so, as you remember, not all of us are called to work in the church. And frankly, if everybody worked in the church, there wouldn't be anything else.
And so I really feel that Jesus did most of his ministry outside of the temple and we also are living ministers. We need to do our work outside of the temple, outside of the church. And that's where we're going to have the greatest impact. So, again, spiritual gifts are a great way if you have that tool at your disposal to be and do the work you need to make an impact.
You're going to see that more clearly. Now, I'm not going to take time to do a spiritual gifts teaching right now. Maybe I should do that in another episode. Let me know if you think that would be valuable to you.
But I want you to know that spiritual gifts are not just to be used in the church, like I said. While everywhere we have influence and impact that's on the job that's in our neighborhood, in our civic arena, I'm convinced that using our gifts will have longer lasting impacts and quicker solutions to the world's problems and the problems in our own circles if we just get outside of the church and start using our gifts. Now, don't forget about all those life experiences that you have. Everything you have experienced so far has been there to sharpen you, position you, and prepare you for the next level of success.
Think of the successes, failures, and everything in between. It has all been a part of a divine plan to get you to this place right here, right now. Now, I don't even write down a list of people who maybe have helped you or mentored you or spoken to your life at one point or another. And even a list of people who have exhausted you and wore you down to your last ounce of strength.
Or as I like to say, you have worn me down to my last nerve. They have all been sent to teach you a lesson or to build your character and to position you for the next level of success. What lessons have you learned from them that might point you towards your unique and divine message? Now, list your heart's burning desire.
Desire literally means of the Father, day, sire. What things let you happen give you endless energy? Brainstorm for a few minutes here, too. Not every burning desire may be a wise business choice, but I believe almost every healthy desire we have that is of the Father has been placed in our hearts for a reason.
And we just need to dig out that treasure and find where it fits into the puzzle of our life. Any desires and passions lead us to that place where we feel we can make the most difference or have the greatest impact. Passion is the fuel that will keep us reaching for the dream when things get tough. Everyone has a desire to feel a value and of service in some capacity, to leave a legacy with our lives and the footprint that we leave behind.
Here is a great question. What if there were no guidelines as to what you could do with and for God? If you had unlimited resources, and by that I mean time, money, energy, what would you do with it and how would it benefit others? Go ahead.
List three big wishes right now. Push the pause button if you have to. I'll wait. Okay, did you do it?
Did you list those three big wishes? And I guarantee you, no matter how outrageous they may seem at the heart of hearts, I bet that if you were truthful with yourself, they all tie in together to what that higher calling is or what that bigger purpose is for your life. What would you like to be recognized for? No, it's not about recognition, but there is a piece of being recognized by others, even if you don't intentionally set out to do that, that's going to help shine a light on what that purpose is.
So what cause or people group breaks your heart? Go ahead, dream big and dream wide. Some of you need permission to dream. I want to give you that permission and you could leave the world with one message displayed for all to see.
What would that message be? That my friend is the beginning of writing a mission statement. And once you can pull all these elements together, all your skills, gifts, talents, abilities, passions and life lessons, you begin to discern the patterns surrounding your life. Now of course, I work with a lot of people and we really go into detail here and there are a lot of formulas and there are a lot of exercises you can do to pull that all out, but every life has patterns, yours included.
Things that consistently motivate you, challenge you and drive you to keep you moving ahead. Plus there are patterns that show you how you respond to situations over your lifespan, who you allow in, the hobbies you choose, the friends you choose, even how you spend every minute of your time. All these clues we use together to create a starting point, to create a mission statement. And then we find that into your divine core message, your life message to share with the world.
I once saw a quote that read and I can't remember where I saw it. So if you wrote this, awesome, make sure you let me know and I'll give you credit. It said no one is you and that is your power. You are unique, a one of a kind masterpiece.
Isn't that amazing? That no one is you and that is your power. So we need to hone in on that and look at what is that thing that would be our life message is our core message because that's where our power will lie. That's where your earning potential will lie.
That's your greatest joy will be there. All of those things will come together. So once you can clarify that divine core message, the essence of who you are and what you are here to do, you can begin to make a plan to walk it out. I guarantee you that you have done the work and God has equipped you for what you need to do next.
You might want to get help with this step and as a coach, I can usually see my client's mission so clearly, but when I turn to look at my own mission at a turning point in my life, I just can see it. I needed someone to act as a mirror and reflect back to me the truth of who I was. And to affirm God's word over my life and to objectively speak into the areas that I needed to prove on or to stretch into. It was a profound experience for me and it started me on the journey that brought me to where I am today.
We all have myopic vision when it comes to looking at our own life and our own purpose. So I really want to challenge you. You can sign up for all the freebie, opt in little free business coaching things that you want listening to podcasts like these. It's amazing.
You'll gain a lot of information, but I think especially when you step into this higher level of purpose and calling, it really would benefit you to find someone that can speak into your life and tell you truth and help you form that mission statement. Now we're ready to determine the mission at hand and define an overall framework. I believe we all have one highest calling, but we will have multiple opportunities to walk it out depending on your willingness, obedience, and how tuned in you are to the opportunities God will send your way once you clarify and declare the vision. We all have multiple life seasons and each one is going to build and equip you for the next level.
Here's a simple way to write out a purpose statement or a vision statement, just as an example. Your mission needs to include something that you are passionate about or at least something you can get excited about. It should be that one overarching call and message that you believe you are here to deliver. The thing that will be your legacy to this generation.
Think of it this way. If you could write the future story in tomorrow's newspaper, what would the headline read? If you want to do some of this work on your own, Laurie Beth Jones has a great book called The Path, Creating Your Mission Statement for Work and Life, in her book she outlines three steps to writing a mission statement. What excites you, step number one?
Step number two, what principle, cause, value, or purpose would you be willing to devote your life to? And three, whom are you here to help? That's in its simplest form, three great questions to answer and then put them together into one mission statement. Your highest calling, or as Laurie Beth Jones refers to it as your mission statement, should be engaging, clear, inspiring, and exciting.
And it should be so large, large enough to encompass a lifetime of activities to walk it out. It should be specific to your unique gifts and talents. It has to be genuine and from the heart. Make sure all your activities flow from and relate back to your calling in general.
Now, before you freak out and think, oh, I have to quit my job and get started on my mission, I want you to hit the pause button. Your mission statement or highest calling can apply to working within the current environment you are in. And most of the time, it will. The key is that you lay your framework so that you have a grid, so to speak, for which to funnel all future opportunities through.
For example, your highest calling and purpose could be to lead and train people on how to live a balanced life. You can do that in your current position through how you lead your staff or team, and through the example of how you lead your own life. Remember, there are always multiple opportunities to live out your calling in a way that will serve others and bring you incredible satisfaction and joy. The key is to clarify that calling first, so that it's easier to make decisions based on that calling.
It also weeds out all of those things that would just be a total waste of time. I want to throw out a challenge here to all the mothers in the world, and it might hurt a few feelings and ruffles and feathers. As a matter of fact, I know it will, because I've said it before, and I've gotten the feedback. But I want to ask just this one, so you hear me out on this and think about it for even a moment.
Motherhood is a high calling. I know that. I'm a mother. But I want to challenge you not to name that as your highest calling.
Here's why. I've seen too many incredible, sharp, and intelligent women play small and hide behind motherhood. It can be an excuse for you to stop and not step up and challenge yourself to make a bigger impact for the kingdom. Motherhood is not a calling, except for a woman in the Bible named Mary who was impregnated by the Holy Spirit and Mary, a guy named Joseph.
Now, unless that's you, being the best mom, you can be is a desire and a great goal. But it is not a calling for most women. It is a season of life. No one wakes up one day, decides to have children, and then says, gee, I hope I'm a crappy mom.
No one. You see where I'm going with us? I hope you can catch this. We all desire to be great mothers and have impeccable character.
It's a given. It's human nature. We want to do our best. It's just not your calling of a lifetime.
That's not what I'm talking about when I talk about a calling. There's so much more. I know that you can teach all of us. Be careful here not to fall into a trap of complacency or end up living someone else's dream.
You will always be their mother, but you will not always be feeding them and cleaning up after them. If you are, we need to talk. Now, my firm belief is that while some men and women are called to live out their highest calling in the church, some of us are called, actually, most of us are called to live out our highest calling outside the walls of the church. And you're going to hear me talk about this again about heart, passion of mine.
Jesus did the majority of his work outside the temple. He brought the church to the people who needed his message the most. He did life with them and held on to his purpose with intention. He knew the bigger picture and had a strategy for getting there every step of the way.
Now, some of you will work through your mission statement and realize you are entirely on the wrong track, which is why you are perhaps so miserable in your current situation. You may have to ask yourself if your mission is in alignment with your current status. And if not, what would it look like to step out into a new space? Ask yourself, what would have to shift for me to walk out my calling?
Success is always equal to action. So take action and work on the clarity piece, work on the message and be open to all the possibilities. Dream big and then dream bigger. As women of faith, we know that with God, all things are possible.
And that's a mindset shift for some of you. Start to imagine what's possible for you. Don't dwell in the impossible. I want to give you permission to do that right now.
Get a journal, grab a pen and start dreaming. Catch a glimpse of a dream placed on your heart that is so big, the only way you know you could achieve it is by starting out every sentence with, but God. Yes, but God. Maybe you only have $100 in a dream to educate 20 girls around the world and teach them to read.
But God stepped in and provided partnerships and donations that built a school for 200, but God. All you had was a loaf of bread, some peanut butter and jelly and a basketball hoop to feed and inspire a few kids around the neighborhood that needed a little guidance after school. But God stepped in and gave you the house next door, rent free to open up a community center for an area after school program. But God.
Maybe you started a small business out of your house just to earn some extra money and to get around other women who shared your passion. But God stepped in and made you a national vice president in that company because you were so good at sharing your knowledge by teaching and training others how to do the same thing. Now you've got enough money to go on vacation and bring all your friends and family with you to that private island where you own a home and about. But God.
You get what I'm saying about dreaming a little bigger? Your dream should be so large that unless he steps in, that big dream just won't happen. But God. And ladies, God always has the biggest butt in the room.
Just let that one sink in for a minute. Dreaming big and taking small steps of daily action will lead you to clarity. And with clarity, a larger strategy will unfold. It always does.
But only as you begin to actively walk it out. And in my experience, I don't always get the entire strategy downloaded at once. I get each beautiful divine and sometimes scary stuff one step at a time. Every gives you focus, but then it is a faith walk to bring it to completion.
You will get what you need when you need it. But we have to remember to take the time to write the vision and make it clear. Don't just say you're going to do it. Actually do it.
Remember our Habakkak chapter two verse? Because the vision is for a future time and it will be fulfilled. You have God's word on that if it's aligned with his purpose for your life. And as you step out in faith, your faith will grow.
And if it seems slow and coming, wait patiently for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. God is always right on time, never too early, never too late, but right on time. You have to have faith, a faith that says, I can do this.
And always remember that where there is promise, there is provision. And as a dear friend of mine once pointed out, sometimes the provision is right under our noses, but we fail to see it as such. Don't be too quick to discount some of the things that may cross your path. It could be that the seemingly insignificant or random connection could be that very thing that will take you to the next level.
And you almost missed it because you thought it should look different. God always tells us that his ways are not our ways. So don't be so committed to something that you can't let it go. You cannot have a death grip on your purpose because God is always going to shake things up.
You have to be closely into everything that comes to your way and then use discernment as to how each thing may be a connecting point to your bigger dream. Now is your time. Your time to dream big and clarify your divine message. And then hold on to the calling.
So this isn't the death grip, but we do want to hold on to the calling with every passion you have in your heart. And when you think you don't have anything left, watch God step in, but God, and be unshakeable. Here's my favorite part of the podcast, the word Unveiled. Proverbs 19 verse 21 says, you can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail.
Clearly in alignment with God's plan for your life is key. We can have all the plans we want, but a higher vision always comes from spending time with God and the anointing comes by spending time in his presence. Here's an action challenge for you today. Go on a mini retreat.
Take a half a day or a day to just look at all the pieces of your life and your work. Clearify your vision if you don't have one. And write down three smart goals that need to be accomplished this year and hold yourself accountable. You are worth it and your word should be your bond, not only to other people, but to yourself.
So many of us are more than willing to honor our word to others, but we fall short when it comes to honoring our own word. So again, I want to challenge you. Put those goals down, clarify your vision and hold yourself accountable. You are worth it.