True growth exists on the outer edge of your comfort zone. Once you get past the fear of constant change, the ride of life will become exhilarating and lead to personal growth. This only happens once we learn to go beyond the ordinary, to seek to identify ourselves as distinctive people with noteworthy gifts.

This is the time to stand strong, walk, and run the race with Jesus.

Nowadays, technology plays a big part in our lives as young people. Even when we are in church we have our faces stuck on our screens rather than focusing on what we are doing. Technology is good but it should not distract us from finding our calling. This is the time to stand strong, walk and run the race with Jesus. Living beyond the obvious guides sincere Christians into a joyful relationship with the God who is waiting to transform our frustration into freedom, the freedom to live the full, deep life He intended us to have.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 teaches us about self-discipline, saying, “do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” Just like an athlete preparing for an Olympic competition requires discipline and perseverance, we must stay focused on our callings so that we may receive a crown that will last forever.

Just like an athlete preparing for an Olympic competition requires discipline and perseverance, we must stay focused on our callings so that we may receive a crown that will last forever.

Just like an athlete who discovers their most effective position in a game, we must also find what we are best at. When you discover your identity you will receive a new joy and zeal in as whatever God is calling you to do. Knowing your unique identity in God will also help you find a personal commitment to God’s cause. Many of us stumble through life, simply following the path laid out by parents, friends, or others. But finding your unique calling gives you to chance to live a life transformed, a life where people see God reflected in us.

The more disciplined we are at incorporating spiritual exercises into our lives on a daily basis, the more rewarding and fulfilling our life can be. I assure you that you can discover your calling and learn to live beyond the obvious.

Discussion questions: What is your calling? What is the meaning of calling in your own context? What have been hindering you to discover your identity and start the race? Do you have things in your life that you want to be changed so that you live beyond the obvious?