Called to More
- Morgan Takae
- Aug 8
- 6 min read
Over the past few months, my life has shifted in the most overwhelmingly beautiful way. Since my last blog post, I attended youth camp, celebrated my 24th birthday, and executed the second Chozen Sunday for the teenage group I co-lead at my church. I traveled to Atlanta for a church anniversary and leadership conference, where I spoke on a panel. Additionally, I went to Connecticut to be a bridesmaid at my brother’s wedding. I also started my new career job and began my MBA program. All of this happened within a span of six weeks. When the Bible says, "God does marvelous things," I truly believe it. God has changed my life and entrusted me with greater responsibilities on every front. I am busier than I have ever been in my life, and it is indeed overwhelmingly beautiful.
Lately, I’ve been reminding myself to look beyond the overwhelming aspects of life to appreciate the full view of God’s beauty. On the rare days when I feel tempted to sleep in rather than get up for my new job, I remind myself how long I prayed for this opportunity and how privileged I am to have it. I asked for every responsibility I’ve recently taken on and for the blessings I have right now.
My pastor preached a sermon not long ago, and one quote really stuck with me: “Everything you pray for comes with things you didn’t pray for.” I’m living in answered prayers! There’s so much I asked for, partnered with challenges I didn’t anticipate. For instance, I didn’t expect the initial fatigue that would come from adjusting to my new roles as a student and employee, along with my growing leadership responsibilities. I also didn’t foresee the increased level of sacrifice and personal growth this season would demand from me.
While driving a while ago, I felt God telling me that this next season would stretch me, and I can confidently confirm that He wasn’t lying. It’s been stretching my faith, my dependency, my confidence, and my time. When you’re being stretched, you start to see what you’re truly made of.
I’m sharing my recent life happenings to truly highlight one thing – being CALLED TO MORE! It’s one thing to be called. It’s another thing to be called to more. Our callings are so expensive, and more can feel impossible to maintain. There’s something so key that God reminds us of in seasons of stretching, and it’s this: We can't maintain more without Him. Lately, I've been spending more time in prayer with God about matters that might seem simple. My daily prayer requests have sounded a lot like, “God, give me strength; help me make wise decisions; show me the right path; inspire me with creative ideas; help me to live a holy life; and allow me to be a spiritual leader.” When God calls you to more, He also calls you to depend on Him even more. There is nothing we can accomplish in this world without Christ. Until we recognize this truth, what is meant to be beautiful may always feel simply overwhelming instead.
There’s one truth we all must understand as Believers desiring to live in the totality of our purpose – You must learn, know, and master managing blessings. Sometimes, we pray ourselves into rooms, opportunities, businesses, and positions, and then beg God for an out once we get there. This isn’t because He hasn’t called us to these grand places, it’s because we lack the capacity to manage them, and do so with grace and excellence. Your calling is too expensive to forfeit due to poor management.
Earlier this week, I was meditating on a scripture that is truly life changing: “Mark well that GOD doesn’t miss a move you make; he’s aware of every step you take. The shadow of your sin will overtake you; you’ll find yourself stumbling all over yourself in the dark. Death is the reward of an undisciplined life; your foolish decisions trap you in a dead end.” – Proverbs 5:21-23 MSG
This scripture is powerful because it emphasizes that "death is the reward of an undisciplined life." Lacking discipline or good stewardship can lead to a life of unfulfilled potential and essentially death. You may be existing, but that existence can be subpar if you fail to access what God truly has for you. There's death of destiny, calling and purpose when you refuse to live life by wisdom and discipline. One thing God makes abundantly clear through His Word is His disdain for indiscipline, poor stewardship, and laziness. Our calling requires us to be attentive and strive for excellence.
When you finally gain access to your open doors, it’s crucial not to relax. One thing I really didn’t desire was for God to answer my prayers, and at that moment, I stopped seeking Him. The danger of our relationship with God at times is confusing transactional longings with an intimate relationship. Just because you are praying to God, crying, and highlighting scriptures you feel that day doesn’t mean you truly have an intimate relationship with God. Typically, the heart behind our relationship with God is revealed when He finally answers our prayers.
How do you respond when God finally answers your prayer? Have you allowed a prayer that has been fulfilled to lead you away from the One who blessed you in the first place?
It’s easy for our blessings to become distractions when we lose sight of needing to depend on the Blesser. God is greater than a job. God is greater than a degree. God is greater than a marriage. The statement "God is great" holds true not only when we are lacking but even more so when we have everything we desire. When you take a moment to look within and reflect on your heart's deepest cry, ask yourself: Are you seeking God just because you want more, or do you truly understand that He is more than enough?
What you are called to is costly, and the one who calls you expects you to pay the price. There’s one thing I definitely didn’t pray for during all my pleading over the past several years – I never understood that my answered prayers would require greater maturity. Nobody informed me that I would finally have to step into adulthood during this season of my life.
When I talk about adulting, I’m not referring to the fun aspects, like buying new clothes or enjoying newfound freedoms. Instead, I mean the responsibilities that come with growing up, such as going to doctors' appointments, paying bills, and nurturing relationships. There’s a substantial level of responsibility that accompanies the journey into adulthood.
As much as I knew this day would come, I've recently realized that the weight of who I am and who I become is entirely on me. I can particularly emphasize the aspect of decision-making. I don’t think anyone ever clarified that the burden of adulthood involves making decisions repeatedly. All of this requires dependence on God and an active choice to embrace this responsibility.
“When I was a child, I spoke about childish matters, for I saw things like a child and reasoned like a child. But the day came when I matured, and I set aside my childish ways.” – 1 Corinthians 13:11 TPT
“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter” – Hebrews 11:24 NKJV
What you are called to demands that you grow up and set aside childish ways. And like Moses, by faith, you have to refuse to succumb to old identities, habits, or ideas that you’d subscribed to for so long, potentially your entire life.
In understanding the weight of responsibilities you carry on your shoulders, you begin to realize it’s all bigger than you. I’d like to propose that the more you’re called to is more than you. How you steward your current season is crucial because God desires others to follow your example as you walk in righteousness, wisdom, and authority. There are people observing you right now, some may admire you, while others may critique you. Regardless of their stance, what example are you setting?
Being called to more means living each day with the understanding that life is much more than you. The everyday tasks like work, school, family gatherings, serving at church, may seem mundane. However, how we manage these ordinary moments will determine our ability to handle the greater responsibilities we pray for.
Set an example and strive for excellence in everything you do. Recognize that your calling comes with a price, one that may challenge your comfort zone. What God entrusts to you now is far bigger than you! On the other side of your obedience lies the potential for more, which requires you to submit to the process of growth and maturity. Ultimately, your calling is calling, are you ready to answer?
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