And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. Romans 8: 28, 30

What I think my purpose is- or should be- is not necessarily what God knows my purpose is. I grew up around artistic people. Beautiful people who could sing and dance. Leaning on my girlhood dance lessons, I can manage with the latter but the former is far from anything I’m capable of. In high school I wanted so much to be able to sing; to be good at something “cool.” We would take tests that told us -based on our likes and dislikes, our strengths and weaknesses – what we should be when we were adults. I always got something in the field of administration or organization, in other words…a secretary. That seriously lacks in the cool department.

It took me so long to realize that what I wanted for my life was okay to want, but not okay to obsess over. When I laid college at God’s feet and told Him to direct my path, He led me to a completely different school with a totally different major. One thing I knew, I wanted to finish college before starting a family. Two months after graduation, I was pregnant. Had I followed my plan I would have still been two semesters from graduating at that point. Who knows when or if my son would have entered our lives if I’d walked my path.

God gives us talents and capabilities. He even gives us hobbies. We just need to recognize that He may not use our talents, capabilities and hobbies for His purpose. The idea that God may not use the things we’re passionate about can hurt. We just need to ask ourselves whether we’re seeking to glorify Him or ourselves.

I think God uses areas we’re weak in – or areas we’ve never even explored – so that the glory can go completely to Him. Isn’t that what He’s saying in Romans 8? He works out the details for His children when He asks them to do something. It’s about being faithful enough to do what He asks. The ones He predestined (His children), He also called (each according to His purpose). The ones He called, He justified and glorified. This doesn’t mean that we will receive glory, it means that He can give us any challenge He wants and no matter how little experience or talent we have in that area, He can do mighty things. In the end, it’s God who will be glorified.

I never, ever -ever! – thought I would freelance. I didn’t go to journalism school. Journalism never even occured to me. I have always enjoyed writing…fiction.! Last year God moved details into place like a tetris game and I began writing for Desert Christian News. Here I was, having always thought I would write a fiction novel, reporting for a Christian newspaper. I’m still there, but now I write for The Desert Sun – our local newspaper – on occasion as well.

I don’t think I’m the best writer. I don’t think I’m awful either but I am realistic and know that it’s because of God’s purpose that I am where I am, doing what I’m doing. He has thrown doors open in areas I never thought possible. He took an area I never considered and paved the way. Not walking that path would have been a huge mistake.

I feel compelled to share something I heard recently. I think, in a round-about way, it ties in to what I’ve written. A ‘No’ answer from God for a prayer request we may have made to Him is a ‘Yes’ to His better and more-perfect plan. Wow! If we’re passionate about something and pray and pray that He’ll use that somehow and He doesn’t, it’s because He has a better and more-perfect plan. We can rest easy in that knowledge.

What matters, above all else, is that we were called according to His purpose. To glorify Him. To spread the Word. To share His mighty Message. In whatever way He chooses.