One summer in high school, I attended a special camp to assist with the mentally handicapped, or challenged, as they say now. This fun experience fostered a desire I now know as passion, to seek a career working with them.
This decision gave an additional purpose to my life. As a Christian, I already had a purpose to tell others about who Jesus was. Both passions were fueling my purpose in life.
With some research and analyzation, teaching seemed to be the most sensible and economical choice. A degree would be necessary, so off to college I went. I obtained a degree in elementary special education.
As a resident assistant during college, I was responsible for over 40 girls from diverse backgrounds. They included a college cheerleader, the mascot, a cross-country runner, a good tennis player, a theater major, a homosexual, several physically challenged individuals, various races and religions, and straight-A students.
Overseeing them made me feel like I had taken a tour of the entire country. I got along with all, and was responsible for solving their problems, counseling, and bringing them together. This experience heightened my interest in people, sparking a new flame.
I didn’t change my major, but knew I definitely wanted to help others with problems. Maybe a social worker or counselor might be in my future.
Before I had time to process my new desires, I received the news I was legally blind from Retinitis Pigmentosa, an incurable and progressive eye disease. My passions didn’t disappear, nor redirect me to work specifically with the blind and visually impaired population.
What I didn’t know was how teaching elementary special education, would actually ignite my passion more, as well as give me experience. My students had an overabundance of behavior problems due to learning frustrations and non-acceptance from peers. Seeing students grasp concepts elated me, but noting improvements in behavior gave me more joy.
Over the next two years, this passion grew as fast as hurricanes strengthen. Even though my dad had taught me never to quit a job without having another one, something stronger said to not renew my teaching contract, so I followed that internal voice.
I moved back home and applied for a job working in social work at a boys group home for teenage juvenile offenders called Elm Acres Youth Home. I fell in love with this type of work – it was so rewarding. These boys had been through so much and I enjoyed every behavior challenge confronting me.
It wasn’t long before more vision loss forced me to go on disability. To remain independent, I had a new house constructed with some special features aiding sight loss. That is when I met the love of my life.
Five years into our marriage, he was called into the ministry as a pastor of a small church. My previous passions didn’t dissipate, but rather enlarged to include a love for the poor and foreigners. Having a shared passion resulted in my husband and I co-founding a feeding ministry while pastoring. It lasted ten years and fed one million meals without knowing where food, finances, or help would always come. Living by faith.
We have now pastored over twenty years, and I have gotten ordained also. Helping others has always been my passion. How God led me to use it has varied during different seasons. While still pastoring, God nudged me into writing after finishing home schooling my youngest.
My blogging began in 2015 as a way for me to express myself, not suffer from empty nest syndrome, and to hopefully minister and encourage others in a new way. This journey is still changing. Marketing added to writing, along with learning new technical stuff, including screen reader software, and the realization I must go from hobby to a business while still ministering.
Jeremiah 29:11 tells us God has a plan and purpose for each one of us. He made us unique so explore your interests to find where your real passion lies. Getting paid for your passion is ideal, but a true passion is recognized by knowing it is something you would do for free.
I am so thankful God revealed His purpose in my life through passions planted by the Almighty Himself. As you embrace your unique desires and seek His face, your plan and purpose will emerge. You will be on the road to finding your purpose also. It is never too late.
Do you know what your plan and purpose in life is? How did you discover it? Sharing this information in the comments below would be valuable and helpful to all of us. Thanks.
If you enjoyed this post, please share with your friends on your favorite social media platform. If you are new, become part of our changing focus community by signing up for our weekly newsletters. Free gift when you do.
© 2021, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
Leave a Reply