When God Gives Us A New Dream | Jen

I always told God that I would never go into the ministry. It wasn’t my plan or my dream. I wanted to live life for me and not for him. I was weeks away from applying for the ultrasound technician program until everything changed. I spent two years dedicating my time and effort for a program that deep down inside I knew wouldn’t fulfill my purpose. I searched and switched my major several times trying to find the best-fitted career for my life.

However, I always knew I was created for something more than this. I got desperate for God to reveal some answers to my questions. One night, one of my leaders pulled me aside and we began to pray for God to reveal my calling. My leader requested that the Lord would speak one word to describe God’s calling for my life. As we prayed, I began hearing the word, “ministry.” I knew with confidence that the Lord called me but I wanted nothing more than to avoid his calling like the plague.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

Within time, God placed on my heart the desire and passion towards women’s ministry. Honestly, God’s desires and plans scared me. They pushed me outside of my comfort zone and taught me what it looked like to walk by faith. Although, I did everything I could to avoid my calling but I always felt the direct pull towards it.

During the beginning of 2015, I was content with graduating with my bachelor’s degree focused on health science and psychology. However, God kept leading me to a graduate program focused on Christian ministry counseling. I never felt so passionate about something until I realized how badly I wanted to counsel young ladies. I took a full year of dedicating and preparing spiritually to fulfill the call upon my life which led to the opportunity of joining the leadership team in the youth ministry at my church.

I was excited because I finally stopped running from my calling and learned to embrace it. I was already in love with God’s calling upon my life. However, God had more in mind. After being in the leadership position for only a couple weeks, I was asked to lead a group of 7th-grade girls. I knew this was a stepping stone because my heart was willing to pursue the call to encourage and counsel young girls. I fell in love with these group of girls because it was exactly what God desired for me.

God’s plans are always funny and so perfect because they led to the opportunity to begin blogging part-time and develop an online ministry called Shoutout Radiance that is a movement to encourage and empower women. I am thankful for the lesson behind learning to stop being like Jonah and when God calls you to go… to be obedient and follow his direction. 

This June, I will be graduating with my bachelor’s degree in health science and psychology while pursuing my master’s degree in Christian ministry counseling focused in youth ministry. I am blessed to have developed a love for God’s dreams and plans without realizing it. His plans will always be better than what you could plan out yourself. I am thankful for submitting to the Lord’s will and seeking his blessings and plans upon my life.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. – Proverbs 16:9

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. – Proverbs 19:21

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. – Psalm 32:8

Bio: Jen is 23 years old from a small town in Michigan. She is passionate about women's ministry and lives to encourage people. Jen is a firm believer of impacting lives through writing and making a difference by reflecting Christ within our lives onto other people. She is excited for what the Lord has planned for her story and to be given the opportunity to write and encourage others for his glory.

Check out her Blog & Shout Out Radiance Find her on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook