Three Key Elements: Following God’s Path for You
I wrote this as a submission to Urban Faith magazine two years ago. Sometimes, I go through my old writings. I’m grateful that God guided me to look at this one because I needed this! I hope it will help you too.
Originally written 2014…
As a mediator for the young adult generation rising in the world today, I find that’s important to remind them of who God is and what He can do. We are sometimes stuck at the beginning of a two-way path. One path leads us to salvation and the grace of God with eternal life, while the other path leads us to an end of destruction. I was once the young girl traveling the wrong path. A path filled with pain, mental illness, abuse, and gravel that made me stumble every time I went forward. The great thing about God is, He provides an exit every few miles that leads to his path of redemption. Young people are taught by their elders to believe in Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and Savior, but when we grow older we stray away from His teachings. We want to be free and enjoy the carefree life of our teens and twenties. We face a problem and don’t know how to deal with it forgetting that God is the only way out. When I finally made the decision to take the next exit and get off from a path of darkness, I saw a brighter light than ever before. It changes everything about you; from the way you think, feel, and see. There are three things that I repeat to myself daily when I wake up in the morning and begin a day filled with duties working in my God-given purpose.
1. Trust God
Always trust God and the plans He has for you, even when you have no idea what they are. I know it’s easier said than done. The enemy will make you believe that God does not hear you, but He listens to your every thought. The enemy will make you believe that God does not see you, but He’s omnipresent. Isaiah 41:10 ESV says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand.” He has given you instructions on everything you will face in this world. He’s even told you that you will endure adversity (John 16:33). Once you realize that there is nothing else than can help you persevere but Him, you’ll call on Him like never before. When He shows you blessings you didn’t know were possible, you will praise Him continuously. I can tell you this in confidence with the evidence of my testimony. As a 24-year old saved, successful Christian, who was once a lost and evil teenager, I am an example of what happens when you trust God.
2. Find your purpose
When we are little kids, we are often asked the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Of course we’ll say things like doctors, lawyers, professional sports player, or something else we’ve seen on television or in our lives. Once we start to grow older and really have to think about a true answer, our dreams start to change. College students change their major multiple times before graduation. One day we want to be a nurse, the next day we want to study law. I went to school for accounting and realized a semester before graduating with my MBA that I wanted to start a non-profit organization, be a writer, and a motivational speaker. God gives every one of his children a purpose. We may not always know what it is or what to do with it. Some people find it at a young age, like I did, and others may not discover it until they are older. You may wonder, “Well how do I know when I’ve found it?” You’ll know you’ve found your purpose when it’s the only thing you can do or think about. Even when you try not to think about it, you think about it even more. You will be able to feel it in your heart. It will bring you so much joy, peace, and prosperity that it could have only come from God. When I made the decision to help others who are like I once was, my life became happier because of the smile I was able to put on the face of others. I remembered Romans 8:28 NIV the whole time I was building my dream into reality, “And we all know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” Once you find it, focus on it. Envision it so strongly that you subconsciously work towards it. The enemy will try everything to break your focus, but stand strong in your promise to fulfill your purpose.
3. Never Give Up
Have you ever been in the middle of something, maybe a homework assignment or a game, and said, “Man this is too hard. I give up.” How did you feel afterwards? Don’t give the devil the satisfaction of seeing you quit. Keep your faith in God. He sometimes tests our faith to see if we can be trusted and remember what He has told us through His word. When you pray for strength, God sends it through situations that will break you down in order to give you the strength that you asked for. It’s easy giving up on things but the hard part comes later when you realize what things would be like if you kept going. Time only goes forward and you can never rewind it. However, you can change what you do with the time you have. I have written on every mirror in my house, “Never give up. Smile and thank God. He will always make a way.” Every time I wake up and walk out the door, I am reminded that He didn’t give up on me so I’m not going to give up on him or the people He has assigned me to help. When you feel like you want to give up, take a piece of paper and write down two things: what will happen if you give up and what will happen if you push through. Reflect on what you’ve written, pray to God that He renews your strength and see you through, then go out into the world and do it.
