23 is a strange age. Between adolescence and adulthood stuck in a pattern of either conforming to the future or holding on to the past. For some this is a point of freedom, independence, and responsibility, whether it is thrust upon them or sought after. For others is a time of confusion, fear, and dependence on past sources of security.
Most people I talk to reassure those who are feeling discouraged about not having their life figured out at 23 that they’re young, they have time to figure it out. But those who are experiencing this firsthand can’t help but feel overwhelmed, tired and discouraged at times.
For people who identify themselves as Christ followers, most would agree and feel the priority that God has a purpose and a plan for their lives. He has instilled unique passions and gifting within each of his believers to enter them into a life with meaning by fulfilling a need of this broken world.
So why is it so hard to find that purpose? It’s like your a puzzle piece separated from its puzzle, with hundreds of other different puzzles. It’s not easy to find your individual puzzle and then assemble it. It takes time and effort and strenuous searching for the right fit, even when you do find your puzzle.
As of late, I have been doing job searching online to look for something that aligns with what I believe is the passion that God has instilled in my life: international missions. It’s been a tough road so far in discerning any of the details of actually going out on the mission field. I had hoped by going on the World Race, I would have gained clarity into what would be next, but if anything I feel a little more confused and perhaps even a little stifled in my faith.
Part of the problem of going to college with the intention of going out on the mission field one day is obtain debt in student loans. Sure, at the time going to college seems like a good idea, perhaps you’ll make connections and learn more about yourself while getting a valuable degree, but afterwards it’s easy to feel discouraged and overwhelmed by the cost rather than grateful for the benefits.
While trying to move forward to the next step of actually going out onto the mission field, it’s easy to get caught up in thinking ‘I’ll trust God when I’m debt free’ of ‘I’ll trust God when [enter current challenge here] resolves’. It’s easy to think that your current struggle is bigger than God, because overtime you lose perspective by zooming in on your problems and zooming out on God. I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t acknowledge that I do this all the time. I put my pursuit of God’s plan for my life on hold because of the road blocks and obstacles that get in the way. That’s not to say that sometimes God puts those road blocks out for his specific purposes perhaps to guide you down a different path or to allow you to learn something valuable.
As some say ‘the struggle is real’. But I suppose I would say that struggle is necessary to lead us into a greater dependency on God while equipping us for his perfect plan for our lives. The greatest promise that I have the hardest time believing is that no experience in life is a waste. Romans 8:28 says God works all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. There are many experiences in my life that feel like a waste, but I have to choose to believe the promise of God’s calling and equipping of my life.
So you don’t have your life figured out yet? Your not alone and it is okay. Things will work out in God’s perfect timing. The key is to continue pursuing God and trusting him even when nothing new is on the horizon, because one day there will be. Continue walking on the path that God has set for you now because it’s preparing you for the path up ahead.
