God's Plan

I want to write today about how grateful I am that God gave me an opportunity to have a job with purpose, a job that means something. If someone would have asked me 5 years ago what I wanted to do with my life, working at a homeless shelter would not have even crossed my mind. I had my whole life set: elementary school teacher, married with kids by age 25 (Spoiler alert - none of those things happened). It turns out that no matter how much we try to be in control, we are not! God's plans will always surpass our own plans! I can't imagine where or who I would be if I had not ended up here.

I have learned more about what actually matters in this life than I ever have before. I see broken people every single day walk in and out of our doors, desperately seeking out something fulfilling. This year has been a year of breakthrough in my walk with Jesus Christ. I, too, had been desperately seeking out something fulfilling. Prior to this year, I put almost no effort in my relationship with Jesus. I was content with where I was in life. I only sought Him out when I thought I needed something. I prayed here and there and read my Bible when it was convenient for me. But interacting with people here at the Mission has taught me something life-changing – there is no cure, no solution, no fix, to any worldly problem without Jesus. Without Jesus there is no meaning. That truth lit a fire in me. Don't get me wrong, I'm still learning how to trust Him. It's scary. But I know God will provide me with the guidance I need. He WILL provide. He always does. And maybe this isn't where I'm meant to be forever - I truly don't know where God will lead me next - but I know with my whole heart it's going to be exactly where I'm supposed to be. I can honestly say that if it weren't for this experience and the people I have met, I wouldn't have the solid faith that I do today. So, thank you, City Mission for showing me… "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Author: Mazie Chapin

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