Calling Confirmed

October 18, 2025 Cathleen Zahradnik

Let’s settle this right here and right now. You are called! There is no question about that. If you are saying, “Called? Me?” Yes! You!

Every person on the planet was created with a purpose. Every creature of God has a calling. That includes you!

No person’s calling is better or higher than another’s. Every calling is valuable.

The important thing is to discover what it is and fulfill it. That is your divine potential. Your divine destiny.

You want to say YES to God? Saying yes starts with hearing God, right?

YES is a response. We don’t say it without a reason! So, what are we saying YES to? A calling? You might say, “Isn’t that only for pastors and other spiritual leaders? God hasn’t really called me, has He? And if He has called me, then what am I supposed to do?”

Let me affirm something. God is calling you!

You Really Do Need People. And They Need You.

November 23, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

I am a people-oriented introvert. I love people. I enjoy being around people, but social interaction is draining to an introvert. After a while, I just need some quiet alone time. If you are a task-oriented introvert, you may love people but focus more on getting stuff done. Either way, when you have reached your limit, you need to retreat just like me.

If you are an extrovert, being with people fills you up. You can be with people all day long and feel energized. You could be a people-oriented extrovert or a task-oriented extrovert. Either way, you don’t need the same kind of alone time that we introverts need. Viva la difference!

So, where am I going with this little personality lesson? I’ve learned that even as an introvert I need the people of God, and they need me. The same is true for you.

Both introverts and extroverts are called to love and serve people. I recently attended a conference where I knew a lot of people. However, I went alone, not with a group.

Ordinary Day. Extraordinary God.

April 27, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” Luke 5:5 NLT

Have you ever missed a message from a good friend? Sometimes the days get so busy that I don’t check my messages, or I miss a phone call from someone I really want to hear from. Does that ever happen to you? It’s easy to get caught up in our everyday life and miss what’s really important, isn’t it?

Jesus showed up in Peter’s everyday life. After a normal night of regular employment, Peter didn’t know what would happen when he said YES to Jesus and cast his net. But that YES completely changed his direction. Peter desired something different after he said YES to Jesus. And he left the familiar seaside village, people, and nets to pursue it.

I didn’t know how my life would change when I said YES to Jesus all those years ago (more years than I’d like to admit!), but the trajectory of my life completely changed. Where I wanted to go was altered by my YES.

Do you notice how Jesus is showing up in your everyday life? How might He be inviting you to follow Him today? How might your direction change if you say YES to that invitation?

Set Goals That Focus on Faithfulness

February 17, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16 NIV

Are you a goal-setter? I have found setting goals to be one of the best tools for growth. When I set a goal that is specific and set a target completion date, I find myself stumbling forward even if I don’t meet my goal. I’ve learned to evaluate my goals by growth rather than accomplishment. Isn’t growth what makes life meaningful? Goals challenge me to keep thinking forward and acting forward. However, achieving the goal has become less important to me as I have…matured. Why?

Alright, as I’ve gotten OLDER (the word I was avoiding) I’ve realized that faithfulness is of higher value than productive success. A faithful life is a fruitful life. And, as I’ve been recently ruminating, I’d rather be fruitful than productive and fulfilled rather than satisfied (Click the links to check out those posts.) When you and I focus on faithfulness we will be fruitful and fulfilled. Faithfulness will lead to fruitfulness. When we are fruitful we will be productive because we will produce what matters.

So, how do goals fit into focusing on fruitfulness and faithfulness? The goals you set become even more important because they become focused on fulfilling purpose and transforming character.

When I focus on faithfulness, I fulfill my purpose. How are you measuring success? By checking things off your task list? Been there. Done that! Faithful goals are not just about getting things done. Faithful goals are about fulfilling your God-ordained purpose. He created you and placed you on this planet for a specific purpose. When you align your goals with your purpose you can’t help but fulfill it over and over. Purpose is not a one-shot deal. Purpose is accomplished over time through many small decisions. Faithfulness is fruitful because it is focused on purpose. How does what you’ve accomplished fit into what you believe you were designed for?

When I focus on faithfulness, I produce the right kind of fruit. Goals are great. Truly! They add structure to scattered seasons. They can become guardrails that remind us to align with purpose if we set them with purpose in view. Purpose-aligned goals lead to fruit that lasts, in us as well as through us. Purpose-aligned goals have transformed me from a hesitant and anxious supporter to a confident and peaceful leader. Let me assure you there are still moments of hesitance and anxiety, However, when they arise, they don’t make me freeze in indecision. That frozen indecision was my default for years. The purpose-aligned goals I have set over the years have helped produce the fruit of character that God wants to build in me. Character that reflects Christ and leads to a transformed life.

When I focus on faithfulness, I become the person I am meant to be. What if you measured success by growth? Did you respond better than you did last time to that annoying person? Did you face that fearful phone call instead of avoiding it? Did you try that thing you’ve never done before so that you could take another step toward that big goal?

When I look back on the person I used to be, I am truly amazed at what God has done in me. My goals have been tools that God has used to shape the person I have become, and I am so grateful! When I say goodbye to earth and hello to eternity the results of achieving those goals will be so much clearer. What about you? How are your goals shaping you? They are, you know, whether you are aware of it or not. Why not be intentional and set goals that focus on faithfulness, fruitfulness, and growth?

Dear Friend, you are accomplishing so much more than you realize. You are becoming a more beautiful reflection of Jesus. Each small faith-filled decision is a goal achieved. You are achieving the goal of honoring your King. You are achieving the goal of loving Him above all. You are achieving the goal of loving your neighbor as yourself. And in the process, you are doing more and going farther than you think. Yes, you are!

Key Question: How do goals fit into focusing on fruitfulness?

A Scripture to Consider: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16 NIV

A YES Challenge: Take some time to prayerfully reflect on some recent accomplishments. How has achieving those goals contributed to your growth?

Prayer: Dear Lord, I want to do more than check boxes on a task list. I want to become the person You designed me to be. Help me to set purpose-aligned goals that facilitate my growth. I want to grow in Christ-like character. But I also want to do all that You designed me to do for Your honor and glory. Amen.

What is Your Highest Calling?

June 17, 2023 Cathleen Zahradnik

“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

What would you say is your highest calling? Is it to evangelize or preach or provide for your family or raise your children? Are you sure that is your highest calling? Let me propose a higher one, and I admit it is as much of a challenge for me as I know it will be for you.

Whatever else God has called us to do and to be can be summed up in this: As believers we are called to be like Christ. Now that is a high calling! But what does that look like and how do we do it?

Are we called to speak with authority over demons because He has given us authority? Well, yes, but is that where you spend your life? Are we called to be like Christ in the working of miracles? Well, yes, but do you and I make miracles happen? Are we called to be like Christ in a life of self-sacrifice? Well, yes, but what does the cross look like in our lives?