Living your God-given purpose isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. The training is leaving a legacy in others on the way to the finish line of heaven.

 I read the email and let out an audible low volume growl. My office door was open and I immediately looked out in the hallway to see if anyone heard me. Phew! No one in sight. Then I said to myself, “what more does this girl need?” I was frustrated. I remembered a conversation I had with my friend just a few days earlier. It was in reference to change. I had an epiphany during that conversation. I don’t mind change. I am a plan ahead Girl. I am confident when I know what to expect during transitions and how I fit in with the change. If I know what my expectations are, I want to meet and exceed them. Bottom line, I love winning. Winning for me doesn’t mean someone else is losing. Winning is growth and building something better and more efficient.

I went back to the emails I was exchanging with the young lady about the volunteer role she had questions about. Then I saw it. She needed to know what to expect and if she would be supported when needed. Then she would feel confident volunteering. I felt like I was looking in a mirror. I decided to give her a call. She answered the phone and I asked her if she had time for me to answer her questions. She said, “Yes.” I sensed the relief in her voice. I said, “it seems like you are anxious because you are not sure what to expect?” She let out a sigh and said, “Yes!” I knew it. I really was looking in the mirror.

I told her. “I know what normally happens on a daily basis with this volunteer role and you will learn that quickly. You are smart, sharp, and quick. Sometimes you won’t know the answers and that’s okay; you aren’t expected to have all the answers, no one does. You will have staff support. Me and others. We’ll figure it out together. You won’t be alone.” I met her within days face to face and showed her around the hospital. She looked at me and said, “I can do this.” I looked back at her and said, “Heck yeah you can!”

After meeting her face to face, I had some memories of myself at that age. There were times when I would have loved to hear what I had said to her. I had to figure it out on my own. It definitely sharpened my character and built my dependence on God. However, it was also emotionally and mentally stressful and seasons of feeling inadequate.

As my friend Heather always says, “Your purpose doesn’t change, but your strategy will always change.” My God-given purpose is to pray for people, care for people, develop leaders, build teams, multiply those teams, bear fruit, give generously, and have FUN! I had to change my strategy with this volunteer. I had to take more time. People are worth a strategy change. Sometimes a strategy change works and other times it doesn’t. In the midst of the change, I choose to trust God like it says in Proverbs 3:5-6. And when the strategy doesn’t work, I know God has me covered like it says in Romans 8:28. Change is inevitable, so let’s go with the flow, and watch God do what he does best; make it good.

1. What does winning look like to you?
   

2. How do you respond to change? What are the feelings that arise during seasons of change
   

3. In what area(s) can you choose to trust God in? What does that look like practically? 

“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 NLT)

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and care called according to his purpose for them.”

(Romans 8:28 NLT)

Stacy McVane

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