Do you ever have those moments when you are just hummin' along, minding your own business, kind of tuned out, rather than tuned in, and WHAM-O! The Next Step falls right into place? I've been having just such a day. I’d been needing some guidance about call, and during a conversation this morning, a mentor mentioned the work of singer-songwriter Jana Stanfield. What a treat! Jana has recently been awarded the "Positive Music Association's Seal of Excellence," and her latest song is all about call, a PERFECT song to share with each of you, since you are people interested in living your call!
Now, this is exciting for a couple of reasons.
1) My whole day unfolded to teach me about call! I woke up knowing I needed help with a "next step" I needed to take, but not entirely sure I would actually call my mentor - the money, busy, unsure I would actually do anything different.... Then up popped an 8am message from her - "Call me! I have an idea for you!" So my first "next step" was to be available, and to actually call my mentor. Turns out her idea is a wonderful opportunity for me to be mentored and learn, while helping her in something she needed, too. Win-win! The next small step became to research Jana Stanfield on Youtube, which, in turn, led to encouragement for many. Living my call requires that I'm open for simply following the next step, not focusing on all I DON'T know about what I am doing, but rather to say YES to the tiny next step that presents itself.
I did a lot of walking in my call today!
When you hear a voice no one else can hear
clear and loud ringing in your ear
and you finally know what it's time to do
that's your true calling calling you.
(from Lyrics by Jana Stanfield)
2) Jana's song is brilliant - and the video is incredible. She shows how call does indeed involve both hard work (years of musicianship, getting to Vietnam, bringing people together, etc.) AND joy (bubbles, butterflies and chickens, laughter, head-shoulder-knees-and-toes, etc.)! Community is always supported by call, and this communal time depicted feels like the Kingdom of God at hand, to me.
cuz your mind's been changed
and the dreams you dream
are not the same.
There's a gate that's open, you can walk right through
that's your true calling, calling you.
(from Lyrics by Jana Stanfield)
3) Lumunos has been talking about call for a LONG time. Back when we started, people were generally familiar with those in a ministry profession being called. But we lay-folk? New idea, and oh-so important. YES! Each one of us is called to our good work in the world! We recently took heart when the job search website Monster.com came up with the tagline: "your call is calling." Now, there are whole beautiful songs written about you - everybody! - following YOUR CALL! We are on a good trajectory, folks.
You ask yourself "is this a voice I can trust?"
You think you can't
but you know that you must.
Your afraid you'll fall if you let go
but there's only one way you'll ever know...
when your true calling is calling you.
(from Lyrics by Jana Stanfield)
The work you do matters in the world. Even how you define your work matters! We believe the one who is calling is God. And we hope this song encourages your journey of next small steps, today! For more resources to support your call, click here for "free downloads."
By Tiffany Montavan, Guest Blogger
Tiffany has been connected with Lumunos for 14 years, and is now a Ritual Coach in the Washington DC area. You can find her on Facebook at Soul Seasons.
Jana Stanfield's website: http://janastanfield.com/
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