Living & working in England is the dream of a lifetime. From the thrill of living in another culture to getting the opportunity to spread the gospel to young people, those of us who are gap year workers have this chance to travel abroad and gain ministry experience, while also getting insight into something we could continue to do in the future.
Speaking of the future, most of us are coming up on the halfway point of our gap year, meaning it’s decision time— time to decide what comes next. In choosing the gap year program, we have, in a sense, bought ourselves time to “figure our lives out,” as everything back home is on hold. This season of life can be a scary place to be, as lot of us don’t know whether we should stay here longer or go back home.
Something God is teaching me during this season of in between is redefining the meaning of calling & purpose. As a person in my early 20s, I easily become obsessed with what’s next and getting that decision right. As the necessity of choice hangs over me, the pressure from family or peers can cause me to glorify the word calling and stress over figuring things out. Then, I fear failure or disappointment (more importantly disappointing God) in my choices. Yet, God does not want us to concentrate so much on looking for our “calling” to fulfil us.
The Westminster Catechism says: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” I truly believe that God gives us gifts and passions that we may enjoy them, and while He calls us to use them for specific times in our lives, there is no perfect equation to how that all lines up. We live moment by moment, making choices when needed. One moment we may be in a season doing what we love, and perhaps the next, working as a waiter in a restaurant.
Yet, if we understand the gospel, we know that our fulfilment & worth are not based on what we do or the choices that we make, but secured by Christ alone. Therefore, we are free to enjoy what we’re doing in the present, knowing that we can fall back on grace for every outcome of life’s circumstances. If you’re a waiter, be a waiter, and love and serve others while in that place. God is more concerned with who we’re becoming than what we’re doing, and we can trust that He is expanding His kingdom during the process of our growth.
Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 says, “I know that all God does will last forever; there is no adding to or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of Him. Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is.”
So wherever you are, be faithful. Take things as they come and know that everything is covered—because God gives us grace for our past, present, and future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ELIZABETH MYERS
Dacula, GA | 22
PROJECT: Stockton
Elizabeth attended Liberty University to study worship and music studies/biblical studies, and after graduation, felt the Lord calling her to England for a year. Her desire is to use music as a means by which people can know & understand the gospel.
