In the last few years, a major theme has come into prominence among much of the body of Christ. Whether referred to as the Seven Spheres of Influence, the Seven Mountains of world culture, or variations of these titles, the common thread is that there are seven primary aspects of society through which a culture is influenced and shaped. These seven areas are the family, business and economics, religion, education, media, arts and entertainment, and government.

While these ideas are not new to many people, there are nevertheless some questions emerging as this paradigm unfolds. It seems that one of the most frequently asked is, “How do I know to which sphere I am called?” In answering these questions, as always the Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. In Romans 11:29 we learn that the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. In other words, there is an important, unchanging aspect of your life’s assignment for which God has both gifted you and called you, and He doesn’t revoke it or keep changing it along the way. The circumstances in which you fulfill your calling or the vehicle through which you express it may change many times, but the calling itself remains constant.

So what does this mean when answering the question, “To which sphere am I called?” I believe that asking to which sphere we are called is not the first question to be answered, but rather, “How has God gifted and called me?” This is important, because there are already believers in every sphere of society, but what the world needs are believers who know why they are there, and what God has called them to do. The sons of Issachar are described in the Bible as “men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do...” This is a key to reaching the world through the Seven Spheres of Influence.

As a simple illustration of this, let’s consider two individuals directed by God to a career in the sphere of business. One person has a strong pastoral gifting and calling on his life, and so he focuses on the spiritual welfare of his employees through on-the-job discipleship and character development. Of course he seeks to be financially profitable, but his calling directs his specific area of impact. The other person may not be very pastoral, and yet be gifted and called to create wealth to build the kingdom of God. This person must also care about his staff, but his primary emphasis and function are different. With clarity of gifting and calling, both are hitting their target within the business sphere.

Another insightful example is the life of William Wilberforce, which was recently highlighted in the book and then movie, “Amazing Grace.” Wilberforce carried a burden about the issue of slavery. He knew he was called by God to plead the case of those oppressed by this injustice; that was the clarity he had of his calling. An interesting point is that he debated whether to pursue the fulfillment of his calling through the government sphere or the church sphere. As we know, he chose the sphere of government, which served largely as a tool or a vehicle through which he fulfilled his mission.

Had Wilberforce not first gotten crystal clear about God’s assignment for his life, and then also inquired in which sphere to fulfill his assignment, the victory to outlaw the injustice of slavery probably would not have happened. There would have been no book written and no movie made telling the victorious testimony of William Wilberforce. It is those who understand and identify their gift and calling who stand out from the crowd to influence and shape the world.

A young man recently got the attention of Bill Gates and some prominent venture capitalists because he has developed and published an incredibly concise and effective set of online math lessons that are becoming hugely popular. Amazingly, all 1,600 plus video lessons were created in the converted closet of his own home. In terms of the Seven Spheres of Influence, while this young man is technically proficient and has harnessed a contemporary form of media, his clarity and focus is on utilizing his gifting in the area of education.

So for each of us, understanding the subject of God’s call upon our lives is key. This may take time if we are a newer believer, but will become clear as we simply follow Jesus in obedience to his Word and direction. Often, others will be able to see how God uses us, and encourage us in these strengths. Then, regardless of which Sphere of Influence we find ourselves in, we can have confidence to operate in our God-given gifting and calling that does not change, but yields the greatest influence possible to build the kingdom of God.