Tracing Your Calling Back to the Child You Once Were
Tracing Your Calling Back to the Child You Once Were
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Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
(Psalm 139:16)
Intro
Intro
had the awesome opportunity to showcase some artwork at a Career Connect held at my church. The aim of this event was to encourage teenagers on their own career journeys and show them how their callings can tie into their career choices.
I'm so glad I could be part of that and share my journey with them. While talking about what inspired each artwork and how I began painting as a child, I realized that every person's calling is actually not that far from their childhood.
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that God knows what He has placed inside each person's heart, including their calling - that He can see that journey from start to finish. But it is up to us to find out what that is by seeking His wisdom on the matter. Proverbs 25:2 says, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."
Back to Basics
Back to Basics
I remember the exact moment I knew I wanted to be an artist: I was about six years old at the time. On that day, my sister grabbed a piece of paper and began to draw a picture of a person. Since we didn't have our own Barbie dolls, we had to make a plan so that could continue our games. She said we would cut it out and use that as our doll - and we could make as many as we wanted! But there was something about how she put her imagination on paper that pulled on my heartstrings. It was as if a lightbulb went on and I suddenly knew that this was what I was born to do.
Humble Beginnings
Humble Beginnings
Drawing came natural to me. My classmates would often ask me to draw pictures for them and I was more than happy to do that. Every time I handed a completed drawing to them, their faces would light up with glee. For me, that was such a wonderful reward - their joy. Soon, I became known as "the girl who could draw." I pursued drawing all the way until high school. Before then, I had only known about using a pencil to draw. But in high school, I discovered the paintbrush and the possibilities became endless. Since then, painting had become my main medium.
Pride & Prejudice
Pride & Prejudice
It was not long before I started getting attention for my artwork and soon pride began to build up in my heart. I attached my identity to it - I was good at it and so I kept working to make sure it remained that way. Once I reached my senior years in high school, I worked harder than ever to achieve "The Artist of the Year" award at prize giving. But I ended up winning 2nd Runner up twice in a row. This caused so much frustration, and I reasoned that if I could not win first place, then I was not meant to paint in the first place. You get? As a result, I decided it was time to toss my paintbrush and pursue something else.
Architectural Design
Architectural Design
In university, I decided to try architecture. At this point, visual art was no longer a viable option for me. I thought I needed a way secure way to make money while still keeping creativity in my pocket - it was the perfect course for me! Or so I thought.
Five years into architecture and I still was not sure I wanted to do that. I was good at the work but felt no connection to the buildings I was designing. There was no passion. After failing to find a job in the field and with no other career prospects, I picked up my brush again. It had been about six years since I had painted anything. But this time, I was going to do it for Jesus.
Looking back at my old paintings, I realized there was a spiritual aspect about my paintings that I hadn't noticed before. I was as if God had been speaking through my imagination but His words had been blurred out by my emotions. I thought art was merely a tool to express emotion, not realizing it could be a channel for God to speak.
From Career to Calling
From Career to Calling
One of the hard parts about creating art is that you cannot hide your heart while you create. Which is one of the reasons I opted for architecture instead of visual art. Architecture is more about logic and mathematics, whereas visual art incorporates the soul. One cannot escape it.
Found Waiting
Are you caught up in a waiting season wondering when God will meet you where you are? Waiting can feel like such a drag sometimes. Sometimes hope feels like a thin thread that may snap at any moment. But do not despair! Whatever your season may look like, God is right there with you making sure to usher you into your season of breakthrough.
Dear Reader,
Dear Reader,
Read the following verses and hear what God wants to say to you today:
Psalm 37:4
1 Peter 4:10
Exodus 4:2
Reflect on these questions:
1. What activities make me feel most alive and fulfilled?
2. What needs or burdens consistently stir your heart?
3. What strengths, talents, or opportunities has God already placed in your hands?
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