Finding My Purpose

We’ve all heard the catchy phrase, seen the instagram quote or caption "Faith over Fear". But this is actually more than a clique term. It’s a real phrase to live by in our day to day life. It's not God's will for us to live in tormenting fear. There is a way out!

I felt that it was fitting for my first blog post to be "my story”. The story about how God turned my life upside down and began to heal me and show me my purpose in this life. God completely met me right

where I needed Him. I grew up in church and was raised in a ministry family my entire life, but I came to a point that I had to find my identity in Christ for myself. At the age of 15, I attended a summer camp with my youth ministry, as I did every year. I didn’t attend camp this year thinking something special or different would happen.. I was just going like I did every year. However, God had other plans! While I was in a service at camp, there was a pastor that was speaking on finding your purpose and calling in life. After hearing the word, I began to seek God during worship in the next couple services and diligently seek what He had called me to. God didn’t answer me immediately. I prayed and sought after Him over and over until I finally felt the call He had placed on my life. As another night of camp came around, I once again went after God in worship and asked from Him to reveal my calling. In worship that night, I felt that God was calling me to the area of music and to lead worship. I always knew I loved music, but had never received the confirmation that, that was what I was called to do. The only problem with this was that I was petrified to sing in front of anyone! Now.. this is where the cool part comes in to play ;) After I received this confirmation in worship, the pastor that was speaking spoke something that resonated deeply within me. During his message, he spoke about "Don't let your giant get in the way of your calling". Talk about a God moment! I was in tears. The giant that was standing in the way of my calling was fear. When I left this camp, I was able to actually put into practice the words I received. I began to slowly step into the waters of singing on Sunday mornings, as well as on Wednesday nights in our youth ministry. I was blessed with great leaders to show me, teach me, and help me grow where God wanted me. Don’t get me wrong, the fear didn't go away immediately; it took a process of stepping out and obeying. Over time, God truly began to set me free from the fear that had such a tight grip on me. God took the thing that I struggled with most, and used it as part of my testimony.

I don't know what your story is. I don't know if you've found your "calling" or "purpose" in life or not. Wherever your find yourself, I want to encourage you that God has a plan! He has a purpose for your life that far exceeds your expectations or even your own plans. The Word says, in Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Be encouraged that He has a plan for your life, and that His plans are good. He is a faithful God who finishes what He starts. Don't let fear, anxiety, worry, or insecurity step in and trick you into thinking thoughts you shouldn't. Those thoughts are from the enemy! He wants you to think you can't, so you will back down in defeat. God has placed an ability in everyone of us to make His name known. He has called us all to speak the love of Jesus in some way, shape, or form. Don't back down in defeat, rise up BRAVELY in what he has called you to!