Leadership. My parents are leaders, youth leaders to be exact. I practically was a teenager at 2 years old. I grew up in a church van, going on trips all over America visiting youth conferences that would eventually change my life as I grew up. My parents fulfilled their God-ordained purpose but what about me?  How was I going to impact the world? I was not satisfied relying on my parent’s accomplishments. I wanted to make my own mark on the world through my own hard work and perseverance.

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When I was in 6th grade I knew that my purpose was to use my story to help others. I had a burden for those within my school. I knew that every student lived different lives and went home to different homes; I believed that it was my responsibility to be a light to the students in need, those who were lost and did not know their value. We all evaluate our value in different ways: comparing ourselves to others, looking at our accomplishments, and even our downfalls. No matter the method that is used to judge our personal value, we still make a self-image of ourselves.

 

During my freshman year, I decided that I wanted to help others see their value as God sees their value. I started a Project 7 Bible Club at my high school. Aside from being a club that elevates Christ through devotions, this club has also helped and continues to help students find their purposes. Not only was this an outlet for others to receive encouragement and guidance, but it was an outlet for me to step out of my comfort zone. I was fulfilling my purpose while gaining a skill I never thought I would have.

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Throughout our educational lives and further into adulthood, we encounter numerous obstacles that induce stress, making us feel inadequate. What most people do not understand, though, is that it’s in these moments that our story and purpose in life flourishes. In knowing this, we begin to look at the big picture and the reward that perseverance brings.

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I haven’t always been a leader. I knew it would take a great deal of work to come from being known as the “shy one” to being the leader of a Bible club that I lead every meeting. Before, I was the one that hated public speaking. I did not enjoy exposing my personal story to a group of people in order to encourage them. I used to let fear run my decisions before I had this realization, but through this period of personal growth I have decided that a higher purpose was more valuable than my self-pride. That higher purpose is for others to see their value.

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Realizing my purpose has changed my mindset on obstacles of life. Instead of looking at how terrifying a goal can be, I have learned to access the reward in working hard for what I believe in. Now, I love to speak front of a large audience. Now, I understand that I am helping others when I decide to step out of the normal routine of life. Now, I look for a way that I can be a help to those around me. Instead of hiding my story, I am using it to show others that they can do what God has called them to do. They can be a world changer because I am becoming a world changer too, one step at a time.