Purpose.

I have been journaling quite a lot about this topic lately and I have been doing so through different lenses and perspectives. It has taken me a minute to get all of my thoughts wrapped around all of this, in fact, I think I am still working on it. But, despite the jumble of it all, here is what I have.

God gives us the gift of choice; we get to choose our attitudes, our perspectives, and how we live our lives. We get to choose if we trust God and if we believe in the Holy Spirit. We get to choose to surrender. And I think that is beautiful because if we do choose this way of life, surrendering, then we get to see all that God has for us. We get to experience His goodness while we walk this Earth. And as I embark on a choice to trust God more, to surrender even more, this truth remains:

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1: 11

This has been a verse that I have tried to center my life around, tried to live out. And what it means to me is that I have a purpose in this world and God has a plan for my life. He chose me. He loves me. And, no matter what, He works everything out. To me, that is all I need to know to live boldly, to be brave, to take chances, to do what scares me, and to trust in Him.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3: 20

God is accomplishing a lot in my life. He gave me two dreams, He set them in my heart and the more I trust in Him, the more I see just how at work He is in my life. Dream one, live in Hawaii. Dream two, teach somewhere that needs more help, somewhere I can truly impact kids’ lives and love them despite their circumstances.

And as these dreams are becoming a reality, I keep seeking God first, surrendering to His will, and trusting in Him. God calls us to believe in Him, be in prayer with Him, and set our sights on accomplishing His work in the world. And for me, that’s what this has truly come to be about. These little dreams I had, they are becoming so much more. In all the time I have been spending with God, in all my prayers, it has become so clear to me that God is calling me there to simply accomplish His work in the world: to love His people and to bring more people into His Kingdom. To quite literally, go and tell the world about Him, or rather for me, show them about Him. Show more people His love through the power of the Holy Spirit in me.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16: 15

To show the world exactly who Jesus is through us. But, how do we do that? Well, Paul tells us in Philippians:

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2: 5

Be humble, be in community, and be in prayer. And that is what I am trying to walk out. On June 10, I walked out of CHE for the last time. I turned the lights out and closed the door on that chapter of my life. And it is sad. I read a devotional on the Holy Bible app the other day and this line hit me, “The thing is, every goodbye, every end that brings change to our lives, is also a beginning – we just have to find it and embrace it.” This devotional was structured around change that we don’t choose, like death. At the essence of all change, whether we choose it or not, there is grief in all the goodness we are leaving behind. I am choosing the change I am walking through and I find it comical because change used to be something I avoided, something I dreaded. Not because I was scared of what was next, but because I loved where I was. I loved so deeply the people around me, I loved the goodness that God had given me. But, as I have grown older and deepened my relationship with God, I know He uses change in my life to transform me. He uses it to allow me to grow closer to Him, to fulfill His plan and purpose for my life, and to give me more goodness than I could ever have imagined. And in change, I become more and more aware of just how good God is. Above all else, God is working in me to love Him and love His people more. But, what does that look like? Well, I have a passion for education, for loving kids who need it the most, impacting the lives of students, bringing a school together, and to challenge the people around me to be the best versions of themselves. Am I doing that where I am now? In the most humble way I can say, I am. But, God has more for me than this one school in Lakeville, Minnesota. I know He does. And that is why I am choosing this change. That is why I am leaving the people I love the most and a job that is comfortable and good. That is why I am saying goodbye to Minnesota summers and moments with friends and family that I treasure. Because I have a purpose and God has a plan for my life and in this moment, I am being obedient, I am surrendering and trusting in him as I embark on this adventure.

On July 12, I am on a one-way ticket to Hawaii. And on July 26, I start my new job as a kindergarten teacher at Princess Nahi’Ena’Ena Elementary (and I thought Christina Huddleston Elementary was a mouthful!) I am excited, but of course, scared. There are still so many unknowns, but I am going to keep praying and keep trusting in God because in the bible, He tells us that He will provide for our every need (Philippians 4: 19). I have seen this play out in my life and in the lives of those around me. And because of God, because of His spirit within me, I can do this. I can do what scares me and take this leap of faith.

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the son can bring glory to the father. John 14: 12-13