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It's Your Call: What Are You Doing Here?
Discover God’s calling for your life ...
Few spiritual concepts have fascinated and confused people more than understanding God’s calling for their life. Is it primarily about a job or a role? It is precise or general? Is a calling only reserved for those who work in professional ministry?
The truth is actually amazingly What we are supposed to do is what we most want to do.
This is a guide for discovering God’s design and destiny for your life. Drawing from over 20 years of experience in ministry, Gary Barkalow shares how you
Live alert and oriented to the voice and choreography of God.Discover and interpret the voice of your own story.Discern the strategic assault against your calling.Recognize God’s intentional training in your life’s journey.
Most of all, you’ll be inspired to let the glory of your life touch the world around you.
Few spiritual concepts have fascinated and confused people more than understanding God’s calling for their life. Is it primarily about a job or a role? It is precise or general? Is a calling only reserved for those who work in professional ministry?
The truth is actually amazingly What we are supposed to do is what we most want to do.
This is a guide for discovering God’s design and destiny for your life. Drawing from over 20 years of experience in ministry, Gary Barkalow shares how you
Live alert and oriented to the voice and choreography of God.Discover and interpret the voice of your own story.Discern the strategic assault against your calling.Recognize God’s intentional training in your life’s journey.
Most of all, you’ll be inspired to let the glory of your life touch the world around you.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2010
66 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 4, 2011
What are you doing here? Author Gary Barkalow wants to help you find your calling in his new book It's Your Call. While he might not be able to talk to you personally, by the time you're through reading his book, I believe you'll have a pretty good idea of why you are here and what your purpose is in this life. However, some of the wording might set your spidey sense on tingling.
Sharing his own story of finding his call, Barkalow takes the reader through scripture and his insights on how he came to realize that everybody has a "weightiness" to their lives. He called this weightiness or purpose "our glory". A rather unusual term and one that made me squirm. He talked about our glory and letting it shine. I get that - we are to be a light to the world. But Barkalow insists we each have our own glory and God put it there for us to discover and allow Him to use. In other words, our glory is our calling or purpose in life.
But this isn't a book on six easy steps to finding your calling or purpose in life. The author wants you to discover that for yourself. How? By looking at your deepest desires, your interests and what you most like to do. Now, with all books, read this one with caution and compare it with scripture to see if it stands up. Why? Because even after reading this entire book, I still have this seed of doubt in regards to how Barkalow defines "our glory". It sounds strongly like we should be chasing after our dreams and desires and that is not biblical. While the author insists that is not what his book is about he also says, "What you were created to do is what you most want to do. Your calling in life comes in the form of your strongest desire." So, this is why I say, read this book with caution. I may be out in left field on this one, but until I am, I cannot in good conscience recommend this book.
Sharing his own story of finding his call, Barkalow takes the reader through scripture and his insights on how he came to realize that everybody has a "weightiness" to their lives. He called this weightiness or purpose "our glory". A rather unusual term and one that made me squirm. He talked about our glory and letting it shine. I get that - we are to be a light to the world. But Barkalow insists we each have our own glory and God put it there for us to discover and allow Him to use. In other words, our glory is our calling or purpose in life.
But this isn't a book on six easy steps to finding your calling or purpose in life. The author wants you to discover that for yourself. How? By looking at your deepest desires, your interests and what you most like to do. Now, with all books, read this one with caution and compare it with scripture to see if it stands up. Why? Because even after reading this entire book, I still have this seed of doubt in regards to how Barkalow defines "our glory". It sounds strongly like we should be chasing after our dreams and desires and that is not biblical. While the author insists that is not what his book is about he also says, "What you were created to do is what you most want to do. Your calling in life comes in the form of your strongest desire." So, this is why I say, read this book with caution. I may be out in left field on this one, but until I am, I cannot in good conscience recommend this book.
June 5, 2023
I can’t decide with this book. I think Gary has a lot of great sub points within the book, very quotable, and definitely gives a lot to think about. First qualms I have are some theological differences that naturally led to disagreement.
Getting past that, I would have structured the order of the chapters differently. due to his use of a couple terms “your glory” and “desires” among others, it would have been helpful for him to define them as he was intending to use them much earlier in the book. Specifically, with “your glory”, he didn’t really define it until halfway through the book and while I understand what he means here, I disagree with this word choice.
He drew heavily from his personal experiences which I have no problem with, but a few of the books later points were almost exclusively based on his experience with particular spiritual “encounters” that I don’t think can necessarily be applied to everyone’s life. God can and does work differently in everyone’s life.
There also seemed to be a certain level of ambiguity, or up-to-your-interpretation-ness that I can’t tell is intentional or not, particularly with Gary’s view of the self-centeredness (or contrarily God-giftedness) of our “desires”.
I give a decent rating though because I think some of the general themes that come across can be taken away by anyone despite concerns.
Getting past that, I would have structured the order of the chapters differently. due to his use of a couple terms “your glory” and “desires” among others, it would have been helpful for him to define them as he was intending to use them much earlier in the book. Specifically, with “your glory”, he didn’t really define it until halfway through the book and while I understand what he means here, I disagree with this word choice.
He drew heavily from his personal experiences which I have no problem with, but a few of the books later points were almost exclusively based on his experience with particular spiritual “encounters” that I don’t think can necessarily be applied to everyone’s life. God can and does work differently in everyone’s life.
There also seemed to be a certain level of ambiguity, or up-to-your-interpretation-ness that I can’t tell is intentional or not, particularly with Gary’s view of the self-centeredness (or contrarily God-giftedness) of our “desires”.
I give a decent rating though because I think some of the general themes that come across can be taken away by anyone despite concerns.
February 11, 2017
This book was a Kindle freebie a few years back, and I don't think I had any expectations, good or bad. Turned out to be a pretty great book, though! The idea of call is one of those ideas I've been mulling over a lot lately. The topic is addressed in a personable, popular style.
Barkalow ties in the concept of a person's call with that of a person's glory (another concept I've been considering a LOT). He effectively describes the forces and impulses that hinder our connection with God and our movement into His calling on our lives. I found the book quite inspiring, and if number of highlighted passages is an indication of endorsement, then this one is right up there.
Barkalow ties in the concept of a person's call with that of a person's glory (another concept I've been considering a LOT). He effectively describes the forces and impulses that hinder our connection with God and our movement into His calling on our lives. I found the book quite inspiring, and if number of highlighted passages is an indication of endorsement, then this one is right up there.
July 1, 2012
This is a great book for anyone wanting to understand themselves and their calling in (and to) the world.
I have read no better book on Calling.
I have read no better book on Calling.
February 12, 2019
A Christian guide to following your call (or vocation) rather than just doing your job, Gary Barkalow’s It’s Your Call is an easy read, with short simple chapters, lots of memorable phrases, and an open, honest depiction of the author’s own journey through several callings. There are no recipes to finding your purpose (more often referred to by the author as glory), and there are no easy measures offered for the reader to evaluate or choose a path. But there’s plenty of sensible wisdom, together with inspiring Biblical knowledge, and I’m glad I was given the chance to read this book.
Reading the book is rather like a series of lectures from the author, with appropriate digressions, personal anecdotes, food for thought, and strong encouragement. For an artist (author, musician, etc), the book offers a convincing sense that pursuing our dreams is God’s desire for us, even if we may not be humanly successful. But there’s also the hint that glory will follow that honest pursuit.
My favorite reminder in this book is that God is always interested in me, wherever I am on my journey. My least favorite part lies in the fact that my achievements are so small compared to the author's… and that I lack influential connections. This probably tells you more about me than the author or the book. Perhaps it means I need to put into action more of the ideas in the book, paying better attention to my relationship with God.
Disclosure: A friend loaned me the book because she likes it so much.
Reading the book is rather like a series of lectures from the author, with appropriate digressions, personal anecdotes, food for thought, and strong encouragement. For an artist (author, musician, etc), the book offers a convincing sense that pursuing our dreams is God’s desire for us, even if we may not be humanly successful. But there’s also the hint that glory will follow that honest pursuit.
My favorite reminder in this book is that God is always interested in me, wherever I am on my journey. My least favorite part lies in the fact that my achievements are so small compared to the author's… and that I lack influential connections. This probably tells you more about me than the author or the book. Perhaps it means I need to put into action more of the ideas in the book, paying better attention to my relationship with God.
Disclosure: A friend loaned me the book because she likes it so much.
April 19, 2021
Hands down best book on calling you will find!!
Tonight, I just finished reading It’s Your Call. It took me a few months because I took notes, and what I mean by that is I ended up typing out 80% of the book on my iPhone! In hindsight, I shouldn’t have bothered with this as the book is absolute gold from start to finish and I look forward to revisiting it in the future.
It's Your Call is an absolute masterpiece on the topic of calling. From start to finish, it is packed with divine wisdom and revelation on the topic. I was often left smiling, shaking my head in wonder, or yelling out “Oh my goodness this book!!” from another room in the house. It's also incredibly practical I feel.
I already have a long list of people to get your book to – for those who are feeling completely lost with what to do with their lives and others who are going strong but I know are going to be blessed and enlightened all the same!
Tonight, I just finished reading It’s Your Call. It took me a few months because I took notes, and what I mean by that is I ended up typing out 80% of the book on my iPhone! In hindsight, I shouldn’t have bothered with this as the book is absolute gold from start to finish and I look forward to revisiting it in the future.
It's Your Call is an absolute masterpiece on the topic of calling. From start to finish, it is packed with divine wisdom and revelation on the topic. I was often left smiling, shaking my head in wonder, or yelling out “Oh my goodness this book!!” from another room in the house. It's also incredibly practical I feel.
I already have a long list of people to get your book to – for those who are feeling completely lost with what to do with their lives and others who are going strong but I know are going to be blessed and enlightened all the same!
May 27, 2019
This is a Christian guide to discerning and following one's vocation as it evolves through one's life, as opposed to focussing on one's career. This book found me right when I was needing to hear its message. It's inspiring and heartening! I'm really looking forward to sharing this book with some other folks in my life.
July 30, 2018
Answer the call...it’s for you!
Perhaps one of the most helpful and accessible books on answering God’s call to live a gloriously purposeful life. This is a great place to start if you are seeking to clarify who God is calling you to become.
Perhaps one of the most helpful and accessible books on answering God’s call to live a gloriously purposeful life. This is a great place to start if you are seeking to clarify who God is calling you to become.
December 2, 2018
A complex but moving book
I found this book to be rather complex, enough so I had to reread sections several time to get the gist of it... but overall it was compelling and moving. It’s my second time through; I have a lot to learn.
I found this book to be rather complex, enough so I had to reread sections several time to get the gist of it... but overall it was compelling and moving. It’s my second time through; I have a lot to learn.
July 17, 2017
So timely!
This book was so timely for me because I have struggled with so many of the issues in it related to calling. Now I have some light to walk by.
This book was so timely for me because I have struggled with so many of the issues in it related to calling. Now I have some light to walk by.
August 2, 2017
Couldn't finish it. Writing style didn't engage me.
May 18, 2018
Excellent resource and guide to what you're doing here, how you contribute, and where you find the glory God had for you. Work in your glory!!
December 16, 2019
Good Book about Calling
I found the majority of the message about calling to be on-point. I disagreed with some of his theology. Otherwise, I appreciated his insight.
I found the majority of the message about calling to be on-point. I disagreed with some of his theology. Otherwise, I appreciated his insight.
September 30, 2013
In a past USA Today survey, they asked people “What would you ask God or some other supreme being if you could ask a question?”. The #1 answer in this survey was “What is my purpose in life?”. The author mentions that it never tells us that information specifically in the Bible, but it does say that God “will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8) and that He “is producing in you both the desire and the ability to do what pleases him” (Phil 2:13).
The book can be summarized in these few ideas:
• God tells us to “ask, seek and knock” but he wants us to do this continually and to stay in an intimate conversation with Him. God gives us enough clarity to keep us encouraged and moving but enough mystery to keep us coming back for more.
• “Jobs and positions are only access points, not callings, to the people or places that God knows need our glory.”
• “Your calling in life comes in the form of your strongest desire, your truest preference, and is often initially experienced as your deepest curiosity.”
I received a free e-copy of this book from David C. Cook in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
The book can be summarized in these few ideas:
• God tells us to “ask, seek and knock” but he wants us to do this continually and to stay in an intimate conversation with Him. God gives us enough clarity to keep us encouraged and moving but enough mystery to keep us coming back for more.
• “Jobs and positions are only access points, not callings, to the people or places that God knows need our glory.”
• “Your calling in life comes in the form of your strongest desire, your truest preference, and is often initially experienced as your deepest curiosity.”
I received a free e-copy of this book from David C. Cook in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
December 31, 2010
It's Your Call by Gary Barkalow is the perfect antidote to every personality test and guide you've ever read. Barkalow writes about his personal quest to determine his calling from God and in the course of this book helps reader to shed the traditional views of a calling. I was thoroughly stunned by this incredibly thoughtful and thought-provoking guide to help readers figure out their purpose in life. I kept a pen and notebook by my side while reading this book. It's filled with so many motivational and inspiring quotes by famous theologians like C.S. Lewis and Victor Frankl, as well as ideas from the author as well. Barkalow disavows the idea that our calling can be our career, role as spouse or parent, or job within the church. He wants readers to dig much deeper and figure out what it is that brings them the most joy and brings glory to God. It's not an easy subject, but Barkalow takes a completely new look at this oft-discussed topic. I enjoyed his intelligent writing and as inspired by his leading. It's a great book!
December 31, 2014
A great book to help determine God's call on one's life. In reading it I discovered that what I had thought was my call for many years really wasn't. Instead, it was one of the ways my real calling was being expressed. The author holds that God uniquely gives each person a calling that is best expressed in his passions, desires, and gifts, one that shines forth in splendor as we proclaim the glory of God through our lives. I also found the section on overcoming the things that have a tendency to take us away from expressing our calling. A great read for anyone seeking to discover God's calling for their life.
December 11, 2013
I loved this book. Gary approaches the topic of God's calling on our lives from an angle I had never heard from the pulpit or in any book I've read on this mystifying topic. While some may balk at his use of the word 'glory' in reference to humans, I encourage anyone who picks up this book to read the whole book. Gary clearly states biblical references for human glory and uses both personal and public examples to build his premise. After reading this book, I felt encouraged and embolden to pursue my personal call--to seek God's purpose for putting me on planet earth. I highly recommend!
December 17, 2014
Motivational
Everyone thinks about the pursuit of the personal purpose in life. This book will guide you to identify your deepest feelings and desires, in order to find your true purpose. I like the most the way that the author describes his own experience because you can identify yourself with his feelings, frustrations, fears, but at the same time with his small victories. For me was very helpful.
Everyone thinks about the pursuit of the personal purpose in life. This book will guide you to identify your deepest feelings and desires, in order to find your true purpose. I like the most the way that the author describes his own experience because you can identify yourself with his feelings, frustrations, fears, but at the same time with his small victories. For me was very helpful.
July 21, 2013
If you like John Eldredge's Wild at Heart, you will probably enjoy this book as well. I fall more in line line with Steve Farrar's approach understanding life purpose in How to Ruin Your Life by 40 (Or "30," depending on the edition).
Barkalow worked for Eldredge so that explains the author's approach.
Barkalow worked for Eldredge so that explains the author's approach.
February 13, 2014
It took me a while to absorb this book, but there was so much to chew on! Gary candidly shares his own journey to understand what a calling is and reveals an unexpected angle I had never heard from the pulpit. Very real, practical and thought-provoking.
July 8, 2014
I am evaluating my life and ministry to see if there is still something else that God wants me to do because of this book. It has helped put the past in perspective and awakened me to the potential of the future.
May 25, 2015
Christian books and pun-ny titles. Seriously gotta stop that.
Other than the title, this is a gem of a book about calling and walking God's way, what our glory looks like, God and mysteries, etc, etc. I highly recommend it. Prepare to quote everything.
Other than the title, this is a gem of a book about calling and walking God's way, what our glory looks like, God and mysteries, etc, etc. I highly recommend it. Prepare to quote everything.
November 9, 2010
Dug it. Review here: http://johnnyleckie.wordpress.com/201...
April 30, 2012
Currently reading and re-reading. WOW. I needed this!
October 3, 2012
Subtle book that suggests profound change, all my life in church calling has revolved around programmes and ministry but calling is who i am, and everything i do is just an opportunity to show that.
January 4, 2014
Very useful. Love the authors personal struggles with Learning to find his calling
November 17, 2014
~meh~ After seeing all the positive reviews, maybe I need to read it again.
December 16, 2014
Some practical advices to seek direction for vocation, call or work.
October 1, 2013
Really enjoyed this book and the author's perspective on Calling. Great read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews