Asking children what they want to be when they grow up often provides a myriad of answers, a princess, a fireman, a doctor… When asked about my dream profession, my reply was always the same.

I longed to be a singing beautician.

Why? Because I loved all things music and was fascinated by the lady who cut my hair.

As I became older my interests leaned more toward the musical end of the spectrum, yet I still couldn’t quite determine what I was supposed to do or how to use my gifts. Even into my first year of college, I found myself asking similar questions… What am I supposed to do with the rest of my life? What is my purpose? Where do I belong? I was failing miserably in my chosen major. So much so that the professor at the time, recommended I quit the program.

I genuinely admire people who seem to have a blueprint of their lives, those with dream boards mapping out goals well into retirement. However, for me, it seemed God wanted to use a different approach to demonstrate my need for total surrender.

Two years into psychology, my new field of study, I saw my life beginning to take on a new direction. My mindset transforming, a desire to care for others ignited by the demonstration of those around me. Nevertheless, the Lord had not diminished my love of music. With the encouragement of a new professor over the department, I resumed the program and completed the required courses to earn both degrees.

I selected a college, that shared my Christian beliefs, however, many of the traditions varied from ones upon which I had been raised. While I am thankful for my education, my time there served as a growing experience. I came away with an ability to defend my faith, a better understanding of why I believed what I had been taught all those years ago.

I had the incredible privilege of being raised in a Christian home where my parents made church attendance a priority. I was taught from an early age what it meant to have a personal relationship with Christ; given an opportunity to accept the gift of salvation, sharing in a hope of eternal security. My journey has been marked with daily imperfection. I’ve given in to my selfish ambition more often then I care to admit, yet, I stand forgiven because of Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary.

We read in 2 Peter that by God’s divine power, we are given tools for living a godly life; morality, patience, self-control, endurance, love and so on. By pursuing such a life, one can expect “grand entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

(2 Peter 1: 3-11 NLT)

In the past few decades, God has taken me on quite the adventure, from social work, teaching music, to serving in multiple positions through vocational ministry in the local church. Throughout that time, the Lord, carefully molding and shaping me-calling me to release the tight grip and surrender my need for control.

I spent far too many years worrying about the opinions of others, mastering perfection, and stressing over a well executed plan. When in fact my job description was clearly spelled out for me in God’s word all along.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Colossians 3:23 NLT)

Does it matter if I am writing this blog, cleaning a toilet, singing on a stage, or caring for a child? If I am daily releasing my will to His divine power, striving toward godly living and pointing others toward salvation, then I have found “my calling.”

So after years of searching, I’ve finally come to answer the one question I couldn’t quite capture all those years ago:

Where do I belong? Anywhere God places me in the path to tell someone about HIM!

So dear reader, which part of 2 Peter is God stirring within you? How will you respond to God’s promises found within this passage?