Not If But When
Stepping outside comfort and embracing both meaningful work and bold risks allows us to discover our calling and impact the world in ways we were created to.
4/13/20262 min read
As I move along in life, I continue to learn more about myself—things I never knew or thought would matter to me one day. For example, if you asked me two years ago whether I’d be writing once a week and being vulnerable in a public space, I probably would’ve called my future self a big baby, loser, weirdo… something like that.
Stepping into new and unknown areas of life has taught me more than any degree or “safe play” ever could.
Right now, I’m in the midst of feeling an immense pressure about how to live my life and what to do. When we’re young, we have dreams and expectations of where we want to be in 1, 3, 5, or 10 years. But it seems those dreams are often quickly overshadowed by the reality of the mundane work of life.
Ecclesiastes says, “I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live, that each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” Although we may feel burdened by the pursuit of success and prosperity, finding joy and contentment in our work is a gift from the Lord. This is something I don’t do well and have to remind myself of daily.
At the same time, I also believe we can confine ourselves to our work and limit the possibilities beyond it.
A book that really lit me up and shifted my perspective on what I could do, be, or become was Dream Big by Bob Goff. At the time, I was following the path set for me while studying finance, when a mentor placed that book in front of me. It opened my eyes to what’s possible.
Now, I don’t expect everyone to quit their job and live out of their car exploring the world (although that does sound pretty enticing). But at the same time—why not take a month and try something new? Take a gap year. Take a mini sabbatical. Dare to risk something your heart is actually in. And I know everyone has different responsibilities and obligations that do not allow the luxury of taking the same type of risks, however, I’d challenge you to push back on the easy path. Because who knows—it just might work.
There’s a quote I can’t quite find, but the idea is this: if we don’t step into our calling, we deprive the world of the value and impact we were meant to bring. Whether it’s ministry, a business, or even a small farm stand on the side of the road—those are all meaningful ways your passion can impact others.
Most of you already know those dreams and ideas inside you. So I’d encourage you to shift your mindset from if to when.