Fearless

The infamous question of, “what is my purpose?” Lately I’ve been inquired about what my plans for the future are, and this is not an odd thing to be asked. It has come across to me many times throughout college, and as I’m beginning to realize… continually will. I already had the big episode as a senior in high school, struggling to find their place or purpose. And through faith in Christ I was brought to a clear path that led to where I am now. But guess what… life choices don’t end there.

“What are your plans after graduation?”

“What are your long-term goals?”

“How are you planning to support yourself?”

And the most daunting of all: “Do you have a back-up plan?”

Now, I have something to say about these questions every time they get thrown my way. These are very valid questions to be considering as you approach that time in life. They are also very big questions that cannot be answered on a whim with total security. However, they can be answered with total security and peace about the future.

Before I get into the point of me writing this, I’m going to tell a story, because story is one of the best ways to communicate a feeling, a piece of life, or a truth; and I love it. A couple years ago, a little into my time at college, I was in a class that talked in depth about creativity and art, with all of its different forms and mediums, and how Christ is in every bit of it. One of my favorite parts of this class was discussing the books we were reading and what we learned from them. To this day I will never forget this quote from Eric Liddle that came up in one of our discussions:

“I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast!
And when I run I feel his pleasure.”

Eric Liddle, if you don’t know him, was a Scottish Olympic Gold Medalist runner, as well as a Christian. His meaning by saying this? As long as you are putting your faith and trust in God, allowing Him to direct your paths, you are running in His will for you. In other words, run where God made you fast! Eric Liddle was a fast bean, and he pursued that gift all the way to gold. So what does that mean for us? How does that answer all of the daunting life questions we receive?

The answer is simply this: God. My plans for my life are to do what God has called me to do. Do I know exactly what that is, or where I’m going to be three years from now? No, I don’t. But I can confidently say that my faith and trust is in God who has a purpose for me, and my long-term plans for life are to run where God has made me fast. My plans after I graduate are to continue walking in God’s will for my life, wherever that may be. Yes, think ahead and don’t leave yourself stranded, but think about where you are now! Where has God put you now, and where has He made you fast? If you focus too much on the future, you lose what God is trying to show you here and now. I’m currently in the field of theatre and dance, because that is where God has made me fast.

Three years ago I was taken away from “my plans” for my life that were at a completely different college with a different degree. I had plans for my future. But they weren’t God’s plans for my future. So instead, I was led to the college I’m at now, majoring in theatre. Right now I am training and gaining knowledge and experience in an extremely challenging field… why? Because it’s where God has given me passions and abilities to run fast and see His purpose for me fulfilled.

God never said it was up to us to figure out our lives or know exactly what His purpose is for us. He said to trust in Him and that He would direct our paths!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and he will make straight [or direct] your paths; (7) Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” Prov. 3:5-7

Trust in the Lord, have no fear of the future; this is so against our flesh people! Our human instincts are to want to have a plan, to know what’s in our future, and to basically have everything mapped out before us so we know where to go. But what does God say? God says trust in THE LORD. And the world hates it and people will call you irresponsible for it. I’ve had some people ask me “so what are your plans?” and I answer, “well, I don’t know for sure, but I know I’m where God wants me right now and He’ll do the same for me in the future!” and they respond with, “Um… really? Wow, okay. That’s cool.” And inside they’re thinking “What is wrong with this girl? She needs to get her life together.” PEOPLE. We serve an all-knowing all-powerful God who loves us and cares for us. And He will provide! If you look in Matthew 7, you see a common reminder of how true that is! “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much MORE will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

Just think about it! Parents take such good care of their kids and give them things they need as well as gifts that makes them happy! How much MORE will God our heavenly Father bless us?? It’s incredible to think about! If you are constantly devoting yourself to God and trusting in Him to direct your paths and show you your purpose… He is faithful to do so!! Even if you feel like you’re being left not knowing for years, or what feels like years, be confident that you are a child of God and that He is right there with you to sustain you and guide you and send you on your way. Be confident in that! Be confident in that truth and smile and laugh without fear of the future. Be CONFIDENT in knowing that whatever waiting period you may be stuck in, there is a purpose and a reason for that to grow you. And you won’t know what that purpose is, but let me tell you, the moment God does His thing and you suddenly see what all of this was for, you will be astounded! And you will begin to live fearlessly in Christ!

This got much longer than I thought it would, but these words have been bouncing around in my head for a while, and I wanted to get them out and share some real truth on a real struggle that everyone faces in life. But to sum up:

Don’t let the world make you feel irresponsible because you’re fully relying on God.

You have a purpose and you’re where you are for a reason.

Whatever passions, desires, and talents God has given you, use them! They were given to you for a reason. 

And lastly, never stop depending on God. I am able to smile when I tell people I don’t know for sure where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing exactly with theatre. And it’s all because I have faith in a God that DOES know, and will not lead me astray if I rely on Him.