Called2B: How to Discover and Live Out Your Calling in Christ

by Travis Guse, Chad Hall (contributor)

Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose? How can I make a more significant impact? All these questions have to do with the topic of vocation. Vocation is more than what one does for a living in terms of one’s career. Vocation is a lens that helps believers see the larger story of who they are regarding their calling with God through faith in Jesus and how they are now called to love and serve their neighbors through their everyday callings. Everyday believers seeking purpose and meaning in their lives will find this book helpful in empowering them to discover and live out their authentic calling in Christ in their daily lives. It will help them deepen their awareness of their ultimate identity in Christ and better discern their unique identity of God’s workmanship. It also can help believers develop an empowerment plan to practice good self-care so that they can show up at their best in their daily callings. Finally, coaching can empower people to make a more significant kingdom impact in their different stations of life—Family, Church, Lifework, and Society.

146 pages, Paperback

Published March 4, 2024

About the author

Travis Guse is an Pastor and an ICF-certified life and executive coach and a Gallup Strengths coach. In 2022, he completed his doctorate in coaching from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He serves in the Southeastern District (LCMS) as the executive director of wellness and coaching. Travis lives in Williamsburg, Virginia, with his wife, Stephanie, and they have one son, Kendall. Travis’ passion is empowering everyday believers to discover and live out their authentic calling in Christ.

Reviews

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I reached my 40's I have been reading several books on how to integrate/align one's work/commitments to the Christian faith. Travis's Called2B is a refreshing and highly readable take on this topic.

He started by noting that we “pinned too much of my identity to our paid professional role” and “There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path” to highlight the disparity between the attention and effort we pay to our work vs our faith and remind us to mindful not merely to do things out of "social conformity and legalistic righteousness".

Nestled within the pages are realistic anecdotes from Gina the nurse, Jason, Dave Drever that help to illustrate and ground the concepts in day to day business of messy living. I liked the simple but yet comprehensive GPS (Gifts, Passions, and Strengths), which is a useful acronym that is easy to recall for periodic reflection to align our GPS to our calling.

Though I am in Singapore and not in USA, we are also heavily influenced by American media. I resonate with the statement... "American culture tends to encourage people to look out for "number one"" while our calling begets a community focus where "Spiritual enrichment and blessing flow and trickle between us in the same way oxygen and nutrients travel throughout our bodies via the circulatory system” & "God intends human life to consist of a network of interdependent relationships where people give and receive care from one another”

I find the section on selfcare succinct and insightful, reminding us that there are “people who fill your cup and those who drain it” and that "selfcare is not selfish because it empowers you to show up at your best for the sake of others in your various callings in life.”

[Jaim Gann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little volume contains a wealth of information on the topic of Christian vocation. Guse lays out in clear and engaging prose a process for discovering one's callings in life. I wish I had this book thirty years ago, when I was struggling to find the best path forward for living out my faith in the real world!