Sunday, October 6, 2019

What is Your Purpose?

Now is the time to walk in your purpose.  So many times we go through the routine of this walk called life.  We get up.  We eat breakfast, go to Starbucks, go to work, and then to the gym.  Some of us have to take kids to school and pick them up.  Some of us have to drop kids off at basketball or soccer practice, etc.  We go to church on Sunday, choir rehearsal on Wednesday, Bible Study on Thursday or whatever day we attend.  Then, we start the routine all over again.  Wouldn't it be nice to know that within the course of a day or a week or a year, you are fulfilling the purpose that God has designed for you?

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).  I believe that every human being has a purpose.  I will speak from the Christian perspective because that is the faith that I believe and can witness to.  Every since I was a child, I wanted to be on television.  I would sit in the yard with my newspaper in hand.  After playing newswoman for awhile, I would take out my sack lunch and eat it. My desk was an upside down cardboard box.  I thought that's what people in the news did.  I kept the fire burning in high school and did everything that was available to me to aid in my becoming a news reporter.  I took typing for two years because I knew that I had to type to be a reporter.  I think we had a school newspaper and I may have written an article or two for it.

When I attended college, I came in with a declared major of broadcast journalism and did not change it.  I worked part-time in the office of the Dean of the Department of Journalism.  I worked at the school radio station trying to get that experience to add to my resume. I also was a member of the yearbook staff.  I may have pinned and article or two for the school newspaper.  When the call came in to the Department of Journalism from a News Director looking for an assignments editor, I asked the Dean if we had to post it.  He said, "yes."  I told him this is my job.  He says "How are you going to work here and there and go to school." I told him that I could do it.  We posted the job.  I applied for the job and got the part-time job.  It was a struggle to work two jobs, go to school and try to be President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.  I knew that journalism jobs were rare at times.  Anyway, God did allow me to remain in broadcast journalism with radio, magazine and newspaper experience along the way for about 13 years.  After I finished doing what I wanted to do or what He allowed me to do, He asked me to "Teach the Children."  Even before He asked me this, I had attempted to volunteer with a local youth organization and was turned down as a volunteer.  Who turns down volunteers anyway?  I just knew I needed to be doing something more.  Understand that I was already a member of the church.  I was going to Sunday School.  I had been in the choir until the Pastor placed me in the sound room.  I attended Tuesday night Bible Study.  I was working all over the place, but God wanted me in one area.  I appreciate that.

After talking with my Pastor at the time and receiving instructions on how to hear from God, I heard God speak audibly.  Don't let people tell you that God doesn't speak audibly.  He speaks to people in different ways and through different means especially his Word.   He said "Sandra Hamer" "Sandra Hamer," Teach the children.  I was asleep when He called me.  I knew it was God.  Who else could it be? For God speaketh once, and twice man perceiveth it not. Job 33:14 Here is the link where God speaks

He showed me pictures in vivid color of children of all nationalities.  The next day someone who I use to work for in college called the television station to get my phone number.  They gave me his number.  He asked me if I would volunteer to be on their board of directors for a children's after-school program.  I volunteered on the board.  Later, I ran the summer camp for a year or two.  After I left the station which was orchestrated by God,  I decided to finish my book and then teach.   A lot of other stuff went on in the middle like helping to start Young Filmmakers Foundation of Memphis.  I also taught Sunday School for awhile.  Understand that people will fight you when you attempt to do God's will, but you just need a willing heart and a spirit of obedience.  We pray that wherever you are placed in a church the Pastor gets on program and releases you to where God wants you to be.  If he doesn't, don't worry about it.  You probably need to learn more of the Word and be more committed.  You must not get discouraged.  You might get moved somewhere else, but God's plan for your life will prevail.  Some churches have a lot of talent and everybody can't do everything.  There are just so many gifted people, but your gift will make room for you somewhere (Proverbs 18:16).  "And He gave some apostles; some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers," Ephesians 4:11 Gifting of the Church.

I thank God for those who were a part of the plan in ushering me where I needed to be.  I have had conversations with bosses who I know were following instructions from the Master.  God has a master plan for you.  Get in prayer and build a relationship with Him and watch God work.  The Bible says, I know the plans that I have for you, plans of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).   I pray that God will walk with you as you walk with Him.