Finding Your True Calling

Finding Your True Calling

In the quiet moments alone with God our Creator, we are reminded of His deep presence and care. Scripture assures us that His plans are to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Under His wings we find refuge (Psalm 91:4).

Often, we cannot see the battles God has already fought on our behalf. He has protected us from tribulations we never even knew existed. He goes before us, working to bring about good even in the hardest circumstances. Sometimes, gratitude washes over us like a wave, as we realise how far we have come; knowing it is only by His grace and love.

A journey of education and ministry

For 25 years, I have served in Prep to 12 Lutheran and Christian Education, primarily in middle and secondary schools, while raising two teenage sons with my husband. These experiences have been a blessing, shaping my heart for young people and preparation for ministry.

I am deeply thankful to the College of Bishops for welcoming me into the Specific Ministry Pastor Pathway as Lutheran Youth Queensland (LYQ) SMP candidate. This step invites me to reflect upon: How did I get here, and what does this mean? For me, it means stepping into life beyond the classroom to support not only primary and secondary aged young people, but also young adults aged 18 to 30 as they discern where God is calling them. It means walking alongside them in pastoral ministry and vocational pathways, encouraging them to see that Jesus meets us wherever we are.

A heritage of faith and leadership

This journey has not been mine alone. It is rooted in a long heritage of educators and leaders in the Hoff family, stretching back multiple generations. Amongst these were Hoff pastors, and now, a female Hoff preparing for ordination. Reflecting upon this rich heritage and service raised this question for me: What does it mean to let go, to let come, and to respond to a renewed call?

Sarah with her family

The love of family and community has been a constant source of affirmation of God’s call. These sentiments have been repeated often; You are brave and courageous, even when I did not feel that way in the darkness or stillness. Courage, I have learnt, often looks like surrender. Letting go in faith, echoing Luther’s reminder: God created the world out of nothing, and so long as we are nothing, He can make something out of us. In this paradox, I discovered that true courage is not about self-reliance, but about resting in God’s grace and allowing Him to shape my life.

From letting go to letting come

That discovery became real when I began pastoral studies at Australian Lutheran College. Entering this pathway was not simply an academic decision, it was a spiritual turning point. In the rhythm of study, prayer, and reflection, I encountered God’s presence in new ways.

I realised that being in His sanctuary is not about perfection, but about openness: allowing His Word to shape me, His Spirit to guide me, and His people to walk alongside me. Through this journey, I have come to see that pastoral ministry is about embodying God’s sanctuary for others. Creating spaces of grace where young people can discern their vocation, where communities are nurtured, and where the voices of the next generation are heard and empowered.

An open door

I am always available to talk about the pathway forward in ministry, over coffee, tea, or a cold drink, whether in person or by phone or video conference. Please make contact through the LYQ Office. The door is always open, and Jesus will meet us there. This is part of the wider mission of LCAQD: Open doors to many communities of grace. One church, one purpose, many ministries.

Finding your true calling is not about striving; but about resting in God’s presence, listening to His Word, and responding to His invitation. It is about gratitude for the battles already won, courage to let go, and faith to step into the future He has prepared.

And so, I return to the Scripture that first grounded me:

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

Sarah Hoff-Zweck

LYQ Ministry Lead (SMP Candidate)
E: SHoff-Zweck@lyq.org.au
P: 07 35114080

Main image: Sarah Hoff-Zweck with the edition of The Lutheran that she credits as being one of the catalysts for her exploration into pastoral studies.