How do you know that God has a calling for your life? What does it mean to be called? What does that even look like?
My story starts when I was around 9 years old at a church camp in Oklahoma. After a long night of worship and prayer, a girl my age came up to me with a camp counselor in tow and asked me if my name was Candace.
“Yeah,” I replied, glancing at the counselor.
“Well, I kept seeing your name while I was praying. God’s calling you to be a missionary.”
“Really?” I asked, completely taken aback.
The girl nodded, and the counselor said, “You’re the only Candace I know.”
They left, and I stood there wondering what this meant. Was this just something in the future to look forward to? What did this even mean? I was more than excited to have a prophetic word spoken over me, and I accepted it fully as from God, but I was dumbfounded by the concept at such a young age.
From that point on, my life rarely afforded me the time and finances to do missionary work. I was on a much different path during high school and most of college. Even though missions was always in the back of my head, I sort of treated it as a pipe dream, something that no longer applied to the “American dream” vision of my life. I was busy. I worked a job full-time while going to school full-time. When would I ever have the chance to go on a mission trip?
It wasn’t until after I graduated college and moved to Gainesville, landing a great job that gave me flexibility and finding a church that is incredibly mission-minded that the idea of going on a mission trip became possible.
After a couple years going to First Assembly (now Greenhouse), I found a mission trip to Haiti that excited me. God opened the doors so easily, I knew this was the direction I was meant to go. It was just five days long, but it left a lasting impression on me that catapulted me into the World Race. It showed me what a life as a missionary would be like – difficult, but so fulfilling and rewarding. I not only met some lovely people from Haiti, but I formed friendships with people from my team that enabled me to become more involved with the church.
The World Race first became known to me through a friend who went a couple years ago. It sounded like such an awesome way to pursue missions, but at that time it just didn’t seem possible to me. How could anyone possibly raise that much money in such little time? That wouldn’t work for me. I put it in the back of my mind again, and kept pursuing that American dream.
Well, several months ago, in the middle of a small group meeting, another friend announced that she would be going on the World Race. I was so excited for her, but it opened a door that I thought was closed, and I couldn’t get it off my mind. God kept bugging me about it. So, I prayed. And prayed some more. One day, I just filled out the application and turned it in. The acceptance process happened so fast, only a week after I had put in the application. I couldn’t process it, but when I started telling people about it, it became more real and more exciting.
I still have days where I’m like, “Wait, what am I doing? Is this for real?” I know God’s behind all of this and he’ll see me through. My life is in his hands. This is just the start. This is a progression, not a break from my life. I’m not putting anything on hold to go on some grand adventure. I hope and pray that God is preparing me for my life’s purpose.
Have you asked what God’s plan is for your life? It’s never too late to pursue those God-given dreams. You just have to trust him. His will is perfect.
My first deadline is this Friday, September 26. I have to have $3,500 in my account. I have someone pledging $1,000, so that means I only have $1,339 left! Please consider donating to God’s great mission by clicking on the “Support Me!” link to the left of this page.
