Have you ever wondered what your true calling is?

In my last article, I shared how our purpose as human beings is to be human—to steward the land, to create, to love, and to reflect the image of God. Our calling, then, is how we each uniquely live out that purpose.

And I believe we all have one.

If we didn’t, why would our Creator go through the trouble of imagining, designing, and breathing life into us?

Just for fun?

No.

But here’s the tension:

If that’s true, then why are so many people not living out their full calling and inheritance?

What Is Blocking Our True Calling?

There’s a clue in the book of Matthew.

A rich young man runs up to Jesus and asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus lists the commandments…don’t steal, don’t murder, don’t commit adultery.... the man nods—he’s kept them all.

Then Jesus looks at him with love and says:

“You lack one thing. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor. Then come, follow me.”

But the man walks away sad—because he has great wealth.

He couldn’t answer the call—not because he didn’t believe in God, or wasn’t spiritual enough—but because he was too attached to his worldly life.

In Buddhism, these are called attachments.

In Christianity, idols.

In Islam, shirk.

Whatever the language, the concept is the same:

These are the calls of the world that drown out the quiet whispers of Life—God—beckoning you toward your true calling.

The Subtle Weight of Attachment

Attachments can be obvious—alcohol, Netflix, constant distraction. Or subtle—like our craving for comfort, our need to be productive, our obsession with image.

Even good things—like working out or being successful—can become idols when they mask deeper unrest.

Beneath all attachment is one thing: fear.

• Fear of not being enough.

• Fear of not being loved.

• Fear of losing control.

• And ultimately… the fear of death.

If we’re clinging to death’s shadow, how can we ever fully live?

When It Got Real for Me

For years, I was addicted to weed.

I had just gone through a breakup and was deep in a quarter-life crisis—lonely, disillusioned, unsure if I’d ever find love again. I smoked to numb the pain, I smoked to feel good, I smoked out of habit.

And I kept trying to quit, only to buy again weeks later. The shame piled up. I couldn’t break it.

Then one Sunday at church, during worship, something cracked open in me. I began to weep—uncontrollably.

The Spirit of God pierced me. Suddenly I saw it:

I didn’t smoke just to feel good, or to get high.

I smoked to escape my fear.

• Fear I’d never find love.

• Fear my life would never come together.

• Fear I would disappear, like vapor.

I crouched on the floor, face buried in my hands, and whispered, “I’m sorry God, but I’m so scared. I’m so scared.”

That moment changed everything.

Once I saw the fear, I could surrender it.

Once I surrendered it, the weight lifted.

And when the weight lifted—I was free.

Free from addiction.

Free to live again.

Free to step into my calling.

A year later, I made my first YouTube video—something I never could’ve done if fear was still my god.

From Emotional Burdens to Breakthroughs

Now, not every breakthrough from attachment is this dramatic—and that’s okay. Sometimes healing comes slowly, with consistency. But we can still begin to uncover our own idols and weights.

Here are a few questions that help me:

• When do I feel angry, bitter, jealous or resentful? These emotions often flare when an attachment is threatened or fear aroused.

• Fill in the blank: If only ___ happened, I would be happy / enough / at peace.

• What do I get most anxious or insecure about?

If you want a surefire way to expose your attachments, try fasting.

Fasting removes the comforts that normally keep our idols buried and our fears quiet. For me, a 36-hour food fast usually does the trick.

Somewhere between the hunger pangs and the cravings, the deeper thoughts start to surface:

• Ugh that creator is growing so much faster than me → Fear of not being enough

• Seriously though will I ever find someone? → Fear of not being loved

• Do I really think I will be able to make this content stuff work? → Fear of not being in control

When I notice a particularly strong fear arise, or one that keeps coming up, I’ll pause, face it, be with it, get curious about it, and figure out what’s really going on. And most of the time simply naming it lessens the weight of it.

It’s a practice that never stops.

But it always helps me live lighter and walk more freely.

Stepping Into Your Calling

God calls each of us to deeper pastures. But we can’t follow if we’re weighed down—enslaved by fear or worshiping other gods.

Refinement is hard. Sanctification isn’t for the faint of heart. We’re told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling—but our God is faithful. He meets us in our weakness. He honors even the smallest act of surrender.

So whatever step you can take—take it.

Even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.

So I’ll ask you again:

Do you want to know your calling?

Ask Him. He’ll show you. Step by step.

With curiosity,
Eric

P.S. 

My work as a life coach centers on helping people identify the attachments and hidden weights that hold them back—then slowly untangle them so they can move with greater freedom toward their calling and live with deeper purpose.

I’ve walked alongside many people on that journey, and I’d be honored to walk with you too.

If that’s something you’re seeking, feel free to reach out.

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