#20 Purpose, Calling & Vocation for Christian Moms Transitioning Home

Discover the biblical meanings of purpose, calling, and vocation, along with practical guidance to help you embrace your mission as a Christian mom at home. This episode is perfect for working moms discerning a transition to stay-at-home motherhood and seeking faith clarity.

In this Season 2 finale of Discovering Home, Karla Monterrosa unpacks Scripture and shares her personal journey to help you understand God’s calling and find peace in your motherhood season.

Key takeaways include:

• What purpose, calling, and vocation really mean biblically and practically
• Why your identity as God’s image-bearer is foundational
• How your home is your mission field and children are your first disciples
• Why stepping toward home is a step of obedience, not a step back
• Three practical mindset shifts to stop living by the world’s definition of success
• How to discover vocation through faithful exploration, not one moment of clarity

Whether you’re a working mom feeling career and family tensions, actively discerning a transition, or longing for peace in your current season, this episode encourages and equips you to walk confidently in God’s calling.

Transcript

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Welcome back to Discovering Home. I'm your host, Carla Monterosa, a coach for moms who are discerning a transition to a slower, more intentional way of life. This is episode 20 and our season finale. Our season finale. At the beginning of the year, as I sat down to write, I remember thinking, Lord, what will I even say for another 10 episodes? And yet, I've felt more inspired and confident than ever before. So much of that is because of you. Your feedback and encouragement have at times been the nudge I needed when I felt tired. And the conversations I've had with so many of you have also sparked some of the very topics I've shared this season. So truly, thank you for showing up each week, for listening, for sharing the show with your friends, and for pouring back into me. I'm deeply grateful for this space the Lord has given us to have these conversations about faith, motherhood, and purpose. And as you know, and as you may have come to know, every 10 episodes I plan to pause the show. I love recording seasonally because it creates space to rest, reflect, and give my attention to other, also important areas of life. I'm really enjoying this rhythm. Last season was the first season, and so at times it felt challenging because starting something new is like that. But this season felt much more manageable and life-giving. So I will be taking a break for a few months to finish out the school year with my daughters, to rest and just lean into life, because that's where true renewal and inspiration happens. And today, be sure to stay to the end because I will share a quick note on what to expect during the break. And today, as we close out this season, I want to leave you with something really important and foundational. I'm surprised I didn't come to it sooner in the show, but here we are. And I think it's really important because a lot of us have moments of asking, Lord, what's my purpose? What have you created me to do in this life? We can at times be in our careers and think this can't be all there is. There has to be more. But we feel unsure of our purpose or our calling. And I think it's important that we know and are crystal clear on our purpose, calling, and even our vocation, which, as you'll see, there are ways in which it all blends together. But I hope that this season truly leaves you feeling more clear, more at peace, and more inspired to lean into the season where God has you and trusting that he is at work right where he has you. Have you ever asked yourself, Lord, what's my purpose? As I've shared in previous episodes, when I stepped away from my career in 2017, I had some clear intentions for what I thought would be a short break. And they were these three things to deepen my faith and strengthen my relationship with God, to be present both physically and emotionally for my daughters, and to align my work with God's purposes for me. Although at the time I had no idea what that meant. Since then, I've grown a lot in my understanding of this. And today, I'm gonna share that with you. So if you've ever found yourself asking, what's my purpose, or feeling unsure about what people mean when they talk about purpose, calling, or vocation, my prayer is that this episode brings clarity to those questions and that you walk away feeling more confident and at peace with your purpose, your calling, and the season God has you in. I'll share what the Bible says about purpose, calling, and the true meaning of vocation and why it matters that we understand these clearly for ourselves. When we begin to understand this, everything starts to shift. We experience greater clarity, contentment, and freedom from striving. So I want us to begin where we always should, and that's looking at God's word. What does the word say? Because this is our foundation, not culture, not our feelings, not what everyone else is doing, but the absolute truth that can only be found in God's word. So what does the Bible say our purpose is as believers? At the core, our purpose is simple. Though it may not always be easy, it really is simply to glorify God, to walk with him and to reflect him in the way that we live. Jesus tells us in Matthew 28 that we are called to go and make disciples. In Acts, we're reminded that we are his witnesses. And in 2 Corinthians, it says we are ambassadors for Christ. That means that we represent Jesus wherever we are. And I want you to hear this, especially as a mom, this is not just lived out in big, invisible ways. This is lived out in your home, in the conversations with your children, in the way you love, serve, and partner with your husband. But scripture also tells us that we are created for good works. And scripture also tells us this is lived out in your home, in your conversations with your children, in the ways you love, serve, and partner with your husband. And scripture also tells us that we are created for good works. In Ephesians, it says that God prepared those works in advance for us. That means your life is not random or accidental, even if at times it feels simple, quiet, and ordinary. It has all been prepared for you by God. We're also called to bear fruit, and not just to stay busy or to do more, but to live lives that reflect the gifts of his spirit at work within us. In Galatians 5, verses 22 and 23, it tells us the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. So these are ways in which you know you are growing in your walk with God because you start to see very visible and noticeable changes in your relationships, in your homes, in how you mother your children, and how you communicate with your husband. In John, Jesus says he chose us to go and bear fruit that lasts. And that fruit is evidenced in spiritual maturity as you grow in your knowledge of God and live a life that pleases him. And I'm teaching this at a high level here, but at the end, you can go into the show notes and I'll put specific scripture references so that you can go and study it for yourself. I'm also just naming the book and chapter because I think it's important to read things in their context. So not just to take one nugget from the word, but really go and read that whole chapter or even the whole book and decide that you want to ask God to give you wisdom and discernment when you read the word, but go and study it and read it for yourself. It's so powerful and is really the only thing that will transform your life. In John, Jesus says he chose us to bear fruit that lead. In John, Jesus also tells us that he chose us to go and bear fruit that lasts. And that fruit is evidenced through spiritual maturity and our knowledge of God as we live life to please him and honor him, we will begin to see the fruits of his character and his nature more at work within us. And from that, from the overflow of that, it's that we are able to bless others and others are able to see God in and through us. Part of our purpose is to be a visible light. So we know that God is going to display his works and his power and his grace and love and mercy, not only in our lives and how he saves and transforms us, but also in the works that flow from that love and that grace from us unto others. It's really not from us, it's from Jesus. Everything is from him and to him and for him and from him. So he is at work in us. When we do those good works that please him, it displays God's character, God's light to the world. So let's shift gears and talk a little bit about calling. At the heart of it all, we are called to love. Jesus says in John 13, verses 34 and 35 that people will know us, that we are his disciples by how we love one another. So, yes, we each have unique callings and roles, but our core purpose is the same. We are called to know God, to walk with him, and to reflect his character, and to live in a way that brings him glory. And if you're in a season of questioning or transitioning, your purpose does not change based on whether you are working outside or inside your home, or whether you're stepping into a more home-centered life. Your purpose is always simply to know God, to love God, to walk in a way that pleases him because that brings him glory. And I've heard some moms say they don't want to lose themselves in motherhood. And to that I say you're not lost in motherhood. You are reshaped, refined, and called to shape others. So when you're nurturing your children, creating a peaceful home, discipling children, walking closely with God in those messy, unseen moments, you are living out your purpose in a powerful and meaningful way. So if you've ever wondered about your purpose like I once did, your purpose was given by God and spelled out in the Bible. The more you study his word, the more you grow in faith, maturity, and fruitfulness. So you don't need to search for your purpose. It's already been it has been given to you by the one who created you. All you need to do is just stay anchored in that truth and live into that calling. So from that place, when we begin to understand what God is inviting us into, and from that place, we can begin to understand what God is inviting you into in this season, and that's your calling or your assignment in this season. Your calling is also not something random or accidental. It's not something you have strived to figure out perfectly or chosen on your own. Your calling is not something random or accidental. It's not something you have to strive to figure out perfectly or chase. Scripture tells us that God has called us with a holy calling, not because of anything we've done, but because of his grace and his purpose set in place long before life even began. That means that our life is not unfolding by accident. God has also, God has always known us, chosen us, and had an intention for us. And our calling flows from that place. Calling is not about making a dramatic change or doing something completely different. He is not calling us to change our lives overnight. More often than not, the calling is just to be faithful, right where you are, with what he has already given you to care for. The Bible tells us to walk in the life God has assigned to us to remain with him in the season we're in and to do our work wholeheartedly as though we worked as unto the Lord. And to do our work wholeheartedly as unto the Lord. So that means that the season he has you in right now, it was purposeful and intentional, and you were just called to be faithful in it. So if you're at home with little ones, that is not a pause on your calling. That is your calling. If your days feel repetitive or unseen, they're not insignificant, they are sacred because God has you there for a purpose, and that's to tend to your babies in this moment. God is not asking you to prove anything, He is inviting you to be faithful with what He has placed in your hands today. And at the same time, your calling is not one size fits all. Like your calling looks different than my calling, even though we are both moms, um, even as women and moms. And calling isn't one size fits all either. You're a mom, I'm a mom, or maybe a woman who desires to be a mom, but he has placed unique gifts and different gifts and passions within us that also feed into how we live out our calling. God has given each of us different gifts, ways we naturally serve, encourage, lead, create, or nurture. And those gifts are not random either. They are part of how God's calling takes shape within us in our own lives. For some of you, that may look like creating a warm, life-giving, peaceful home. For others, like me, it could also include writing, teaching, mentoring, and building something that blesses others beyond your home. And for many of us, it's a combination of both. Your calling can hold multiple expressions at once. But at the heart of it, calling is not just about what you do, it's about who you are becoming. God is calling you into a life of holiness, of growth, of becoming more like Christ. And he is using your circumstances, your relationships, your marriage, your children all to sanctify you and make you more like him. He's always inviting you out of striving, out of perfectionism, out of fear, out of doubt, and into a peaceful, trusting surrender. So we don't need to compare ourselves to others. And our faithfulness may look different than it does. And our faithfulness looks different to those around us. And that's a beautiful thing. So remember that God has already prepared good works for you to walk in. Your role is to walk with him, to stay close to him, and to respond as he leads you one faithful step at a time. And as you do that, your calling becomes more clear over time. It's not always something you figure out all at once. It isn't. It unfolds, it gets deeper, it becomes more refined as you become more refined, as you grow and mature, and as your seasons change, God is continuing to prune you and nurture you and calling you forth. And as you continue to say yes to what God is putting in front of you. If you're a new mom right now, God is calling you to faithfulness right where you are, to tend to your babies, to respond to their needs, to comfort and nourish them, and to know that He calls that good and faithful. He prepared that work for you. As wives, we are continually called to grow in unity, in communication, and in fruitful partnership with our husbands. And that too is being faithful with what he has given us. If your children are older, you may sense God inviting you to reconsider how you spend your days, and that's also good. So think of purpose as the intention for which God created you, and that's to glorify him. And think of calling as your direction right now, in the season that he has you. How you are being invited to live faithfully in this season, anchored in God's purposes for you, because everything flows from that foundation. Think of calling as your direction right now, how you are being invited to live faithfully in this season, anchored in God's purposes for you, because everything flows from that foundation. And vocation. So from a biblical perspective, your purpose is rooted in God Himself, who He is and how He created you to reflect His glory. And your calling is how He leads you in a particular season and what He's inviting you into right now. And your vocation is the outworking of that calling. It's how your life actually takes shape through your roles, your work, your responsibilities, and that daily faithfulness. Vocation is where your calling meets real life. It's where your beliefs about God, your identity in Christ, and your obedience to Him come together in a lived, tangible way. So when we talk about being a wife, a mother, a homemaker, a writer, or a coach, those are just roles. They are the expressions of vocation. They are the ways you participate in what God is doing in your home, in your family, and in the world around you. And that means your everyday life is not separate from your faith. It's the very place where your faith is lived out. So think of vocation as your role or your function. It's how you spend your time, the work that you do, and the responsibilities you carry day to day. So while calling is your direction in this season, vocation is what that actually looks like in your daily life. So that chunk is repeated. Um pick the better one. For example, if you feel called to focus more on your home and your family, your vocation might look like caring for your children, managing your home or homeschooling. If you feel called to encourage or disciple other women, your vocation might take shape through writing, uh, hosting a small group, mentoring, or I don't know, even starting a podcast like me. And it's important to remember your vocation can shift across different seasons. And I've said this before in the show, you can also hold more than one role at a time. So the beautiful thing is that vocation can be simple and still deeply significant. It doesn't have to be big or public to matter whether it's paid or unpaid. It's still meaningful because it is your faithful response to what God has placed in front of you right now. And just like calling, discerning your vocation is a process. It unfolds over time as you walk with God, as you grow, and as you respond to his leading. It's not something you have to figure out all at once, it's a process and it becomes clearer as you remain faithful. Part of that process also involves recognizing how God has uniquely gifted you. Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit gives different gifts to each of us. Whether it's serving, teaching, encouraging, leading, giving, or showing mercy, those gifts are not random. They are part of how your vocation takes shape. That's why no two women's lives will look exactly the same. Your gifts, your desires, and your season, as well as the needs around you, all come together to form the way you live out your calling, in a way that not only blesses others, but also aligns with how God designed you. Your gifts, your desires, your seat, your season, and the needs around you all come together to form the way you live out your calling in a way that blesses you and those around you, which is going to also align with how God designed you. So he has placed you in a specific city, in a specific state, in a specific family. It's not accidental. God placed you there purposefully to shine his glory, to love others, to serve your family well right there. And you may notice certain needs around you, and you have certain desires. And things that you're good at, and passions, and you feel inclined to meet that need. So you feel called to serve in some way. And then the gifts, the skills, the talents that the Lord has given you, how you use them on a daily basis to serve others, then that's your vocation. Right? So let me illustrate it in how I see this working itself out in my own life, my purpose, calling, and vocation to help give clarity to this. I'm a Christian and my faith in God is the most important and foundational part of who I am. My purpose, first and foremost, is to glorify God and to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It's the reason I exist. It's why I was created. The foundation that shapes everything in my life is Him. And practically, that means using my skills, my experiences, and what I've walked through to serve others in ways that are meaningful and life-giving. In this season, my calling is to continue trusting him more deeply, to seek him daily, and to grow in my relationship with him. And we are all called to that. I'm also called to be present with my teenage daughters as they grow into young women, to be a faithful wife to my husband and to work at becoming more united with time. As God continues to shape us through our marriage, we are reflecting God's love, his power, his mercy, his saving grace, and his unifying power to the world. And I also feel a clear calling to encourage other moms, as you know. Moms who feel stretched thin, who carry a quiet desire to live differently. They are desiring a slower, more intentional way of life that creates space for what matters most in the same way that I did years ago. So you see how that works? What God places in us and does in us, then we can help, then we can use that to serve others so that God can work in them in similar ways because we've been there before them. So then my vocation, how that calling to serve my family and to serve moms takes shape in my everyday life. That that's my vocation. I live that out as a wife, as a homeschooling mom. And also I express it through writing and speaking, through this podcast and my coaching of women. So I hope that by the end of this episode, you are crystal clear on what your purpose is. You don't need to wonder about that. God created you for a purpose, and he is calling you or inviting you into something right now. Just look around you. Just assess your relationships, your surroundings, the children he's given you, the husband he's given you, um, the extended family that he's given you. He's calling you into something right where you are, and it may seem simple and small, and yet God is at work in and through you as you serve them, as you decide to obey him to do that well. And your vocation is simply how you live that out day to day. Which I already explained all of that, so I feel like I'm repeating there, and I'll probably just junk cut out that whole chunk. So then my vocation, how that calling takes shape in my everyday life. I live it out as a wife, a homeschooling mom to two teenage daughters. And also I express it through my writing, speaking, and this podcast, as well as coaching women one-on-one. And before we close, I do want to take a moment to share a little more about coaching, what it is, and how it's different from other kinds of support you might be familiar with, like mentorship, counseling, and discipleship. Because sometimes we hear the word coaching and we're not exactly sure what that even means. So, coaching is a space for you if you feel stuck or you sense that God is inviting you into something, but you need clarity and direction on what that looks like and how to move forward. It's a guided process where I come alongside you, ask thoughtful questions, and help you process what God is stirring in your heart so you can move forward with clarity and intent and intentional action. Now there is some overlap between coaching and mentoring and discipleship, especially in a faith-led process like mine. Mentoring often looks like learning from someone who has gone before you, someone you may want to model aspects of your life after. They share advice, wisdom, and their personal experience as you are following in a similar path as theirs. Discipleship is centered on growing in your faith. It's very specific to uh spiritual disciplines. It's guided through scripture, specific discipleship. And discipleship is centered on growing in your faith through scripture, spiritual disciplines, and becoming more like Christ in community. The goal of discipleship is to grow in your faith and spiritual maturity. So you can see that in a faith-led coaching process like mine, there can be elements of all of that. We seek the Lord together. We stay rooted in truth. And I may share insights from my own journey when it's helpful, but coaching is still distinct. It's not primarily about giving you the answers, it's about helping you discern what God is saying to you in your life in this season. And it's also very different from counseling. So counseling is incredibly valuable and important, but it's focused on healing from past wounds, processing deeper pain and working through things that may be impacting you in the present from the past. At times that's what you need. And I'm happy to refer you to someone, and I'm happy to refer you to some trusted biblical counselors to help you feel healthier emotionally if that's what you need. There was a time where I spent focused energy doing that work because of my childhood and past experiences and how they were affecting me in the present. But coaching is forward-focused. It's for the woman who is ready to take what she's sensing God is doing in her life and begin to walk it out. It's about having clarity and alignment and about taking action, about moving forward in faith. So if you're in a place where you feel that nudge, that stirring, that sense that something needs to shift, coaching gives you a space to slow down and uh to process those things and to move forward with confidence and accountability, knowing that you're not alone. Coaching has been incredibly impactful in my own life. The coaches I've worked with have been so generous, helping me move from feeling stuck and unsure into taking action more quickly. And that's what built my confidence in a way that nothing else could. So if you're in a place of wondering right now, you don't need to have it all mapped out. Stay close to the Lord and be faithful in your season with what he has entrusted into your care and trust that he is leading you right there, right now. And if you're listening today and you're feeling that tension between your work and your desire to be more present at home, you don't have to figure this out alone. I offer coaching for Christian moms who are discerning what this next season could look like. If you're ready for clarity and prayerful guidance, you can learn more or apply for my coaching program at Carlabimonte Rosa.com slash work with me. So, yeah. Thank you for being here with me this season, for listening, for sharing the show with your friends, and for being part of this space. It truly means so much to me, especially when I hear back from you on what is resonating and how it is encouraging you in your walk with the Lord and in your walk with your family. So, as I mentioned at the beginning of the episode, I will be taking a short break over the next few months. And during that time, I will be making some guest appearances on a few other podcasts and continuing to share encouragement through my email list. So be sure to visit my website and subscribe to my email list. I'll be sharing updates during the break and letting you know when and where those episodes will be available for you to listen in. And I'd love to stay connected. There's also a little button at the beginning of the description of this episode that says send me a note. And you can always just pop your email in there. And I will go ahead and add your email into my email list for you. So it's not hard to get a hold of me. It's not uh hard to connect. And I look so forward to hearing from you. As always, the links to all the things are in my show notes. Mother's Day is coming up. I do have a store with t-shirts and mugs and tote bags and cute things and hats that I've designed to encourage moms in your journey. So consider supporting a small business and hopping over to your girl's store at carloimonterosa.com/slash store. Shameless plug. I know, but hey, thanks so much for listening. Until then, take care of yourself, take care of your loved ones. And remember, you are doing meaningful, important work. And God sees you. God bless you.