Called To Be Me
In culture, life, family, even in faith, one of the most difficult things for a person to grasp is what they have been called to do. We all desire to be somebody, to do something and make a change. I remember so vividly, watching Legally Blonde and believing I was called to be a lawyer and an actress. That might sound funny right, but this is what TV had taught me; I could do it all. Now at the age of 20, a young girl in the United States, I can say one thing is true my passion for advocacy and to help those in need.
Many Christians, including myself, have struggled with this idea of the call in the kingdom of God; one encouraging fact God calls us to be who He created us to be! One thing, I have learned about the Father in my time as a Christian, is His desire for us to be happy and not to be enslaved to idea of calling. I was pondering on Jeremiah 1:5, very familiar scripture that says
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” [AMP]
Just take a second to read those words out loud to yourself. Even before your parents conceived you, He knew you and granted not all of us are prophets. But you know what? He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. What that says to me is that if He appointed Jeremiah as prophet, He has appointed me to something as someone. Why? Because He is my Father and He is unchangeable!
This brings me back to my story for the longest time, well two years of my college life; I pursued a degree in Chemistry. All my pride, my life, was in my Chemistry degree. Yes, I was a Christian at this time, but the pride I got when people looked at me as I belted the fact that I was a Chemistry major brought me joy. But, in the summer of 2013 as I decided to pursue God with all that I had, my desires changed. He started drawing life into me, mold and teach me and bring out desires in my heart I had been afraid to share with myself. It was a long road not easy if I can say so, but at the end of that summer, I decided to pursue a degree in Women and Gender Studies, which brings me here.
I have learned more things about God through this one year experience, seeking Him more and in my pursuit. You see the change was not easy. How will I explain to my parents that this is what God has called me to do? They would never understand. What would I tell my friends and peers? Many of them understood or might have just though well it is her life after all. A few other people laughed to my face, not knowing what to do, but I found strength in the fact that I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God spoke. His words rung in my ears every time as He said in Isaiah 55
“Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do, they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.” [MSG]
To this day, trusting God on this might have been one of the most life changing decisions. I have developed passions I did not know I had. I am one of the best students in the department. Most of my professors know my name for the right reasons. They all go out of their way to make sure I have an internship, a plan after gradation and so many other things. The grace that He reigned on my life as I stepped out and said yes has been amazing. I was afraid, even sometimes today I am still afraid, but I remember that His words completes His assignment. Today, God is still leading me on to graduate school and what I should pursue. I have seen Him do it once and He has not failed me, I am jumping in with holding nothing.
Enough about me, but a little reminder, the call that has been placed into each and every one of our lives, whether you believe or not, has a lot to do with people. Yes, you want to be a doctor because they make tons of money, but if you step back and think about it, you might just have a passion for the sick. We have all been placed in community for a reason, community of family, friends, acquaintances, and co-workers why? Each and every one of us has a reason for being a part of that community. A hand we can play in that community and imagine if you do not do your part, the rest of the community will be losing out on your valuable contributions! Think of life in that way, everyone benefits from you and we all benefit from each other.
