Growing up, it was incredibly difficult to find my own identity. Whether that was in the church, as a visible minority in a foreign country, feeling like a minority in my own country that I had no familiarity with, moving around so much that I didn’t know where was home. Also, as a pastor’s & missionary’s kid, I couldn’t find many people to resonate with even to this day. Especially worse when the church started to push back against my father’s leadership as the shepherd of the flock, they started attacking us the children. Accusations of stealing from offering bags, among other things. This tainted my view of what church was and thus began a self-discovery prodigal journey. I ventured out on my own doing all the things I was told I shouldn’t. Luckily for me, and probably by God’s design, I always wanted to be in law enforcement. Thus, meant that I couldn’t veer too far. Eventually, I made my way back. I found that God had never left my side and even in those tumultuous days, he was looking out for me even when the things I was involved in would be things he’d turn his back on. No matter where I went, I couldn’t run away from my name (Lover of God or Friend of God). More recently, did a tremendous of internal work including identity, strengths, gifts, and mental reprogramming, to shine a light in all the darkest areas of my existence and uncover who God ultimately created me to be. Everything I now see, the beauty of his creation, and the amazing level of thought he gave into making me who I am today. It makes me want to help others in their own discovery and maximize who they were created to be.

My Advice

We are all created special and unique. Our job on this planet is to uncover God’s intended purpose for us and love others by giving the best of ourselves to others. Until I stopped running away from it, embraced, and started looking inwards did I find God waiting for me the entire time within.