Claiming My Calling
Whether you feel it or not, you have purpose.
“What do you wanna be when you grow up?” I’m sure you have asked this typical adult question of a child in their elementary years. “I’m going to move to Africa and open an orphanage”, I used to boldly reply. You see, the summer between third and fourth grade I had a series of dreams. I dreamt I was in a village singing worship songs with a number of black children. We played and laughed. Sang and giggled. There was a lot of dust and a few simple huts as houses. It was very clear I was not dreaming about my predominately white, affluent hometown of Midland, Michigan. One night while I was dreaming, angry native men came to find me. They flew down the dusty road toward us in large trucks, hanging on to all sides, and carrying large weapons. They looked almost like a rogue military or some kind of gang or militia. The native women quickly dressed me in their clothing, and hid me in a shower, behind a shower curtain. While the men began sweeping the area looking for me, I hid and prayed. At one point, several men came into the bathroom and threw open the shower curtain. There I was. Looking them straight in the eyes. And yet, they could not see me. The Lord allowed me to become invisible to them. Moments later the men angrily jumped back into their trucks and sped off. The women, children, and I began hugging and crying. And in that moment, Christ returned to earth in his second coming, and the women, children, and I all ascended up to heaven by his side. We looked down and saw confusion and chaos erupted among the men. Fires broke out and they had began turning on one another.
I woke from these dreams and claimed them as my calling. I felt so confident in what I saw, the love I felt, and the eternal value of it all that the guns and violence were not reason enough to allow fear in my heart. I could have easily identified these dreams as nightmares, except that Jesus came. He was there. Ever present. Our Rescuer. Our Help in time of need. Now, please hear me when I say, I am not claiming to know when the second coming of Christ will occur, but I am confident that I will be with Him whenever it happens. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36) Several nights before these dreams began, I had surrendered my life to God and accepted Jesus as my Savior. I confessed my sins, and fiercely desired to have a place prepared for me in the Kingdom of Heaven.
I look back now, about 22 years later, and I can still vividly picture images from these dreams. I can feel that deep love and connection with those we are serving in Haiti. The laughter, the worship, the friendships; it’s all very real. So is the danger. Guns, gangs, and fire are actual threats we face in our city. Almost everyday the US Embassy sends out warnings about violent activity going on somewhere near us. Usually, just several miles away. Earlier this year, we were held on a lockdown for nearly two weeks, and had to remain sheltered in place due to roadblocks and violence, as opposition forces rose up against the current government. Just writing about this has my stomach turning in knots.
Yet even today, I can still cling to the end of my dream: Jesus comes back.
”He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” - Revelation 22:20
”And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” - 1 John 2:28
The promise stands true. He is coming. And I am ready. Are you?
If you are unsure, or you know that you are not, you could get ready right now. In this very moment, from right where you are sitting. From behind your laptop or cellphone. Your part is easy. All you need to do is confess that you are not a perfect person. Confess your bad attitudes, your mistakes, your little secrets. Give them to God(He already knows them anyway), and ask Him to be Lord over your life. To be your King. Your Leader. Your Father. Ask Him to send the Holy Spirit into your life to lead you with wisdom, compassion, and love.
Live for Him, that is all it takes.
Jesus already did the rest.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16
If you are ready to make this decision, I would sure LOVE to hear from you! Email me or send me a message on Instagram! I’m here for you, and I would love to celebrate with you!
My calling began as a young child with a series of dreams, but that certainly isn’t how it happens for everyone. No calling is more important or more special than another. We were all created by the same God, who sent His son to atone for all of our sins. We are equally loved by Him. Every creation He makes has power and purpose - including you.
I have discovered along the way, that even though I knew “what I wanted to be when I grew up”, I also make choices everyday that impact if I am living with power and purpose. For example, I could live out my calling in Haiti with a lot less power if I didn’t pray often. I could live out my calling in Haiti and miss so much purpose if I wasn’t choosing kindness, or seeking wisdom. No matter what our skills, occupations, or callings are, we can still miss out on so much if we don’t choose to claim our power and live with purpose.
If you are reading this and you aren’t quite sure what it means to live with power and purpose, don’t worry, God doesn’t want it to be a secret. He wants you to discover purpose and live with boldness, because there are things you were created to do for the Kingdom. And that’s what this blog is all about: discovering how to live with power and purpose that impacts you, your tribe, and even vulnerable people around the world. Your one life is powerful enough to do all of those things. Every moment we are given is an opportunity to live powerfully, and I for one, am so excited to be living this purposeful journey with you!
His Kingdom come, His Will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
