Finding Your Passion

So I've shared that I am no longer a theatre major. (You can check that out here if you're catching up) While it is exhilarating being apart from that lifestyle for the first time in my life, it's also scary as heck. 

I've been following one path for 15 years. Fifteen years. Now that I have stepped off, I have an infinite number to choose from. But the problem is that there are an infinite number to choose from. Before I got all bent out of shape, I recalled Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares The Lord, "Plans for your welfare and not for woe, plans to give you hope and a future." 

Oh yea. Forgot about that. I don't have to choose which way to go based on myself alone. I get to discern that road with God, who created the whole pathway system, standing right beside me. What a relief! 

Better than that, the Lord gave us clues pointing to the mission He prepared for us. These clues are the tools we will need to achieve our mission. Our talents. What are those things that you are really good at?? What would you like to spend the most time doing?? God gave you gifts for a reason and it is our duty to use them well. 

I've been discovering some of my own more fully this summer. Being out in California for a month as a writing intern has really challenged me to hone my skills, and I have been able to see the types of writing that I am good at, as well as some that challenge me. I love writing editorially (and people wonder why I have a blog) as well as writing movie reviews. I'm not very good at news pieces though. I've also learned how to interview people, and how to successfully communicate myself to fellow employees. 

It ain't much, but it's a start and I am fully confident that the Lord will use those things for His will. 

Who knows what will happen?? 

Go.

Go.

The redemption story between God and His people starts with this word. 

12: 1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

2 “I will make you into a great nation,

    and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

    and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you,

    and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

    will be blessed through you.”

So Abram went as the Lord had told him."

That isn't an easy request. God asks Abram to leave all security behind and put his trust in Him. Could you do it? Sometimes, like after a retreat or conference, I think I can. Out in nature with the Lord, just the two of us, is perfect. But amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life the doubt starts to creep in. Leave everything? Surely not all of my books, or my shoes, or my school? Not my friends too? It's a heavy request. 

Yet look what God will give Abram if he follows! A great nation, a great name, blessings, children, and the promise of redemption for the entire human race. Seems like a pretty good deal.

So Abram goes. 

And we are still talking about him today! Abram (later Abraham) becomes the patriarch of the Hebrew people. He recieves a call to greatness and responds. 

Brace yourself... we get the same call. "Go and make disciples of all nations" We have to go! We don't necessarily have to leave everything but we are called to lead others to Christ. It's the same call to greatness. It's also just as scary. What if people don't like me? What if they get mad? What if I offend someone? What if I'm not ready? 

There is an answer for that too! Later in Genesis God says to Jacob, Abraham's grandson (who continues the mission): 

"Know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you" 

We have a helper! We have THE Helper! The Lord is not going to send us somewhere we cannot handle. I love the saying that "The will of God will not send you where the grace of God cannot protect you." So true and so comforting right? The call is scary, there is no doubt about that. But our God is SO MUCH GREATER than our fear. 

Where is He sending you?

Where are you called? 

Are you willing to go??