Find Clarity in Midlife: Powerful Insights from The Call

How do I find my purpose in midlife?

Finding your purpose in midlife means shifting your focus from personal ambitions to aligning with a deeper calling. In The Call by Os Guinness, purpose is not tied to career achievements but discovered by living in response to God’s call. This approach brings clarity, fulfillment, and renewed meaning in this season of life. If you’re ready to dive deeper into rediscovering your purpose with actionable steps and reflections, explore more on my blog for practical guidance on living out your calling.

BOOK CLUB – OCTOBER SELECTION: The Call by Os Guinness

Rediscovering Purpose in Midlife: A Deep Dive into The Call by Os Guinness (Chapters 1-8)

Midlife tends to hit us with the big questions: Why am I here? What is my purpose? It’s that moment when we pause and reflect on the years spent building careers, families, and checking off life’s to-do lists. Suddenly, we look around and wonder: Is this all there is? Am I on the right path?

That’s where The Call by Os Guinness enters the picture, shaking up these questions in a way that pushes us to think beyond our day-to-day ambitions. It’s not just a “find your passion” guide; it goes deeper, helping us see the bigger picture—one where our purpose is tied to something far greater than ourselves. These first eight chapters pack a punch, challenging us to reconsider our approach to life’s meaning and how we live it out. So, grab a cup of tea, take a breath, and let’s dive into the key insights from this powerful book.

Calling: It’s Not About What You Do—It’s About Who Calls You

Let’s get one thing straight: calling isn’t just about what you do. Most of us have it backward. We tie our calling to our jobs, passions, or even our bucket lists. But according to Guinness, that’s not where it starts. It’s about who calls you. And spoiler alert: the Caller is God.

Guinness writes, “Our primary calling as followers of Christ is by him, to him, and for him.” That’s the foundation. It’s not about scrambling to find the perfect job or career that gives you meaning; it’s about living in response to God’s call. Everything else—whether it’s your work, relationships, or personal growth—flows from that central call.

Now, that’s a paradigm shift. Think about how many times we agonize over whether we’re in the right job or following the right path. What if, instead of stressing over whether we’re “doing life right,” we focused on listening to God and living in faithful response? It’s in this shift that we find freedom—freedom from self-imposed pressure, societal expectations, and the constant need to measure up. Instead of wondering if we’re on the right path, we ask a more profound question: Am I aligned with God’s purpose for me?

The beauty of midlife is that it offers the opportunity to hit “pause.” It’s that liminal space between what was and what could be. In this season, God calls us to reassess, to pivot if necessary, and to live with fresh eyes and a renewed heart. Our roles and circumstances may change, but the call remains constant.

Graceful Reflection Question:

• How much of your current daily life is driven by your own ambitions versus a response to what God is calling you to? Take a moment to reflect: What if you paused and asked God to redirect your steps according to His call?

Faithfulness Over Success: A Radical Shift

Here’s something that might just knock the wind out of you—at least it did for me. Guinness challenges the very idea of success that we’ve been taught to chase. Society tells us success is measured by status, money, or recognition. But what does Guinness say? Success, in the context of calling, is about faithfulness, not achievement.

In a culture obsessed with productivity, achievement, and climbing the ladder, this concept might feel like a breath of fresh air—or it might feel unnerving. We’ve been conditioned to measure our worth by what we accomplish: How much have we done? How far have we come? How do we stack up against others? But Guinness turns this concept on its head. He reminds us that success, in God’s eyes, is not measured by accolades or applause. It’s measured by our willingness to follow Him, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

He writes, “Calling reminds us that nothing in our lives can be truly insignificant or futile if it is done in response to God’s summons.” Let that sink in for a minute. It’s not about the results we produce; it’s about whether we’re being faithful to what God has called us to. This is a game-changer, especially for those of us who’ve spent years trying to meet the world’s expectations.

The shift from success to faithfulness is profound. It’s a reminder that our value is not determined by how much we accomplish but by our obedience and trust in God. Are we willing to follow where He leads, even if it takes us off the beaten path? Are we more concerned with being faithful to His calling than with building a resume that impresses others?

Graceful Reflection Question:

• How would your life change if you stopped measuring success by worldly standards and instead focused on being faithful to what God has asked of you? Are there areas in your life where you’ve been chasing validation from others instead of seeking faithfulness?

Living for an Audience of One

This one hit me hard. Guinness talks about the idea of living for an “Audience of One.” How often do we live our lives performing for others? Whether it’s trying to impress our boss, our families, our friends, or even social media followers, we get caught up in trying to meet everyone else’s expectations.

But here’s the thing: Guinness challenges us to live for God alone. “I live before the audience of One. Before others, I have nothing to prove, nothing to gain, nothing to lose.” That’s it right there—the freedom to live authentically, without worrying about whether others approve of your life choices. Can you imagine the weight that would lift off your shoulders if you lived like this?

There’s something incredibly freeing about living solely for God’s approval. It strips away the anxiety of trying to be “enough” for everyone else and invites us to rest in the knowledge that we are already enough in God’s eyes. No more striving for perfection. No more contorting ourselves to fit into molds that others create. We are called to live boldly, faithfully, and authentically in response to God’s call on our lives.

Insight:

• Living for an Audience of One means we no longer have to perform for others. It’s about centering our lives on God’s approval, which frees us from the pressure to conform to the world’s standards.

Action Step:

• Take some time to reflect: Who are you really living for? Are there areas in your life where you’re performing for the applause of others rather than seeking God’s approval?

The Echo of the Call: Are You Listening?

We often think that God’s call will come as a loud, unmistakable voice. But Guinness reminds us that it’s often subtle—a quiet nudge, an echo. It’s not always flashy or grand. He writes, “God normally calls us along the line of our giftedness, but the purpose is beyond the gifts.”

This idea of calling as a quiet echo is profound. How often do we miss God’s whisper because we’re too busy, too distracted, or too consumed with the noise of life? How often do we run after the obvious signs and ignore the subtle ways God is speaking to our hearts?

The truth is, God’s call may not always come in grand gestures or life-changing events. Sometimes, it’s a persistent thought that won’t go away. Sometimes, it’s a quiet prompting to step into something new. And sometimes, it’s a gentle reminder to stay the course, even when it feels mundane or unremarkable.

This season of midlife is an invitation to quiet the noise and listen. It’s a time to stop and ask, “God, what are You whispering to me right now?” We may not hear a booming voice from heaven, but if we listen closely, we’ll catch the echoes of His call.

Graceful Reflection Question:

• How often do you intentionally make time to be still and listen for God’s call? What would it look like to create space in your daily life to hear those echoes?

The Cost of Following the Call

This part isn’t easy, but it’s important: following the call comes at a cost. Guinness is clear on this. Whether it’s stepping out of our comfort zones, sacrificing security, or letting go of the approval of others, there’s always a cost. He writes, “At the heart of calling is a sense of being summoned—called out of our comfort zones and into a life that has a larger purpose.”

We all love our comfort zones, right? I mean, who doesn’t enjoy security and the familiar? But here’s the catch: staying comfortable often means staying stagnant. Following the call pushes us into new, sometimes uncomfortable territory, but it’s there where real transformation happens.

When we follow God’s call, it’s not a guarantee that everything will be easy or comfortable. In fact, it might lead us into challenges we never expected. But it’s in these moments of discomfort and growth that God shapes us into who we’re meant to be.

Graceful Reflection Question:

• What comforts or securities are you holding onto that might be holding you back from fully stepping into your calling? Are you willing to give up some of your comfort to live out the life God has called you to?

Weakness as Strength: Letting God Work Through You

One of the most comforting truths Guinness emphasizes is that God often calls us in our weakness. In a world that celebrates strength and independence, this can feel so counterintuitive. We’re taught to hide our weaknesses, but Guinness flips that upside down.

He reminds us, “Our gifts are not for ourselves, but for others—and ultimately for God.” It’s not about being perfect or having it all together. It’s about allowing God to work through our weaknesses, trusting that He can do far more through our limitations than we ever could in our own strength.

Our culture values self-sufficiency and independence, but God values our willingness to depend on Him. It’s in our weaknesses that His strength is made perfect. Instead of hiding our imperfections, we are invited to embrace them, knowing that God’s power is made evident through them.

Insight:

• Your weaknesses aren’t liabilities in the kingdom of God; they’re opportunities for Him to display His strength. Let go of the need to appear strong and allow God to use your imperfections for something greater.

Graceful Reflection Question:

• What areas of weakness have you been trying to hide or “fix” on your own? What would happen if you surrendered those weaknesses to God and trusted Him to work through them?

Key Takeaways

• Calling is to a person, not a role: We are first called to God, and everything else in life is secondary.
• Sacredness of work: Every task, no matter how small, is sacred if done for God’s glory.
• Be wary of the world’s version of success: True fulfillment comes from living for God, not the fleeting applause of others.
• Busyness is a thief: The tyranny of the urgent can rob us of time for what’s truly important. Midlife is a time to reassess our priorities.
• Crisis refines calling: Don’t shy away from trials; they often reveal God’s deeper purpose for your life.

Action Steps

1. Reassess your roles: Take some time this week to reflect on your current roles and responsibilities. How many of them are secondary to your calling in God? Are there areas where you need to realign your priorities?
2. Simplify your schedule: Identify one activity or commitment that may be cluttering your life and preventing you from focusing on your primary calling. Consider reducing or eliminating it to make space for more meaningful pursuits.
3. Seek God’s voice: Dedicate a specific time each day to silence and prayer, asking God to clarify your calling for this season of life. Listen for His guidance and be willing to follow where He leads.

The Midlife Pivot: A Prayer for Rediscovery

Dear Heavenly Father,
As I stand in this season of midlife, I thank You for the opportunity to pause and reflect. Help me rediscover my purpose in You. Remind me that my true calling is to follow You and to live for Your glory. When the distractions of life weigh heavily on my heart, give me the clarity to prioritize what matters most. May the trials I face only bring me closer to Your divine plan. Amen.

Looking Forward: Chapters 9-15 Next Week

This journey through the first eight chapters of The Call reminds us that purpose is not something we create; it’s something we discover through our relationship with God. As we continue reading next week (chapters 9-15), we’ll dive even deeper into the concept of calling, exploring how to live out our God-given purpose with even greater clarity and courage. Your best days are ahead!

Stay blessed, stay joyful, and remember—keep soaring by grace!