“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ, …he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.”
Ephesians 1:11 (The Message)
I believe that God has given us opportunities to live life on purpose. No matter where you are in life, you are valuable to God and He has a reason for having created you.
For me, clarification of my purpose began when I was in high school. God grew a confidence in me that I was to serve Him as a missionary. He solidified this calling in a number of ways throughout college and various overseas experiences. Eventually, this led me to Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica where I lived for a number of years. Although I never grew into a “local” with all of my white self and red hair, I grew roots there. I poured myself out to God in that place and have come to know Him in more intimate ways that I would have ever imagined.
Now I’m back in the States to provide Missionary Care. I’m doing some on-the-job training with Alternative Missions and applying to Azusa Pacific University for a Masters in Social Work (MSW). I hope to use an MSW to help missionaries in two ways:
- Maintaining Wellness – an education in social work will allow me to consider all aspects of a missionary’s life in providing care. What factors in their home, local community, ministry team, ministry organization, and home church are contributing to the problem? How can we collaborate between them all for a plausible solution.
- New project planning – Most missionaries don’t have formal training in community development. I believe it’s true that “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.” At the same time, there are a lot of hurdles that can be avoided with a little help. I plan to use my training in project planning and development to assist missionaries starting up new ministry projects.
Following Jesus is exciting and discovering His purpose for your live is invigorating. It’s not always easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. May God continue to speak His purpose into your life as He has done in mine.