The Gift Still Stands: Romans 11:29
- Janette Owens
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
Sometimes life has a way of making you question your value. One minute you're showing up for your family, your job, your church (doing all the things), and the next, you're wondering if any of it even matters.
People switch up, appreciation fades, and you’re left trying to prove your worth all over again. But then I read Romans 11:29 again, and it renewed my spirit: “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” That verse reminded me of something profound: God doesn’t unchoose us just because people do.
Let’s just sit with that for a second.
Irrevocable. Not take-backable. Not up for reconsideration. Not based on who claps for you, who disappoints you, or who misunderstands you.
God doesn’t operate like we do. His calling on your life doesn’t come with an expiration date, and His gifts don’t get repossessed because you missed a few steps or fell short of your goal.
For some of us, that kind of grace is hard to wrap our heads around, especially when we’ve been raised in families or worked in places where everything feels conditional.
Where does family dynamics fit in?
If we're going to talk about gifts, we have to talk about family dynamics and work relationships. Let’s talk about what it means when family dynamics get messy and work relationships wear you thin.
Stay with me.
Keeping all things 100: Families today are complicated. Boundaries are tested. Words get weaponized. People disappear emotionally long before they ever pack a bag. We’re walking on eggshells, trying not to offend, while still craving connection and authenticity. How real is that? And one wrong move, and suddenly you’re on the “do not call” list.
If you grew up in a home where love was based on performance (on how much you pleased, obeyed, or stayed quiet), then unconditional love can feel foreign. But God doesn’t love like that. His gifts don’t come with strings.
What about working relationships?
Yes, the workplace. Lord, have mercy. That’s another layer. You give your best, go the extra mile, stay late, lead the meetings, and smile through it. But the second you speak up about something that’s off, you’re labeled “difficult.” Or “not a team player.” Or “too emotional.”
Some of us perform for love at home and for approval at work. That’s not freedom. That’s bondage. But Romans 11:29 cuts through all that. Praise the Lord!
Your Gift Still Stands—Even When You’re Misunderstood
You may be struggling in your family. Maybe your siblings no longer speak to each other (I can relate). Maybe your child has gone left, or your parent has always been emotionally distant.
Or maybe you’re the glue and you're tired of holding it all together.
You may feel overlooked at work. Underpaid. Undervalued. Overworked. Or maybe you’re doing just fine on the outside, but your soul feels misaligned because you know you were made for more.
Let me tell you what Romans 11:29 says in moments like that: Your worth isn’t negotiable. Your purpose doesn’t expire. God hasn’t changed His mind about you.
Don’t Let Temporary People or Situations Make You Doubt an Eternal Calling
Even if they shut the door, God still has a seat for you. Even if they don't see your value, your calling hasn’t been downgraded. Even if you feel like you're running in circles, the gift still stands.
God hasn’t changed His mind about you, and His plans for you are still solid.
I don’t know your exact situation, but I do know this: healing begins when we stop trying to earn what God has already given. And peace starts when we stop internalizing people’s opinions as truth.
A Verse to Live By
Romans 11:29 isn’t just a verse; it's a lifeline. When people start acting weird, when relationships change, or when you stop getting the recognition you’re used to, remember what’s unchangeable:
God called you. God gave you gifts. And He's not taking them back. End of story. Embrace it.
Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Janette Owens is the founder of Be Inspired For Real and owner of Be Inspired For Real LLC. She loves everything inspirational and has spent most of her life inspiring and motivating others through humor, prose, exhortation, and the power of God's grace. Janette is the author of A Swan Song, an intimate collection of poems and short stories. Janette lives just outside of Memphis, Tennessee.
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