You Are Exactly Where You’re Meant To Be
Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there.
1 Corinthians 7:17 The Message
Have you ever felt like you’ve missed your chance to pursue a dream or ambition?
Maybe you’ve always dreamed of a certain career but didn’t pursue it early on and feel like it’s too late now. Maybe you want to pick up a new hobby but don’t think you’re young enough or perhaps have missed the mark. Maybe you have a big dream but can’t see it coming to life because of kids, and jobs, and life. I’ve been there too, and to be honest, I still stumble across those feelings when a new ambition hits sometimes.
But the truth is, it’s never too late to pursue something on our hearts. I truly believe we are always right where we need to be, and it’s our responsibility to live, love, obey, and believe right there.
In 2018, I walked into class on my first day of nursing school. What would normally be an exciting time for someone going after a lifelong career goal was instead drenched in shame and self-doubt. I wasn’t an eager 18 year-old starting her first day of college.
Oh no, no.
I was 34. And a mom. And completely behind the curve. Plus, I already had a Bachelors degree. Most of my friends going back to school at this age were going for their second Masters or a PhD.
I’ve wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. In fact, I have several old “When I Grow Up” school projects riddled one way or another with nursing as the end goal for me. I even went as far as starting college as that 18 year-old girl with a nursing major and plans to get it done. But somewhere along the road my plans changed. I ended up leaving college to join the military, was later married and had my first child, finished my first Bachelors degree, and eventually divorced and remarried. All while throwing in a few cross-country moves, and several career changes.
So as I walked into class that first day, I wasn’t filled with excitement. All I could hear was my inner mean girl telling me that I was too far behind. That I could have been 10-years into this profession by now. That I should be pursuing something more noble like a Masters or Doctorate.
The following morning, I read a verse from The Message (I recommend the real Bible over The Message, but The Message is SO great for putting a modern tone on some amazing verses that could otherwise be missed), that reads, “Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there.” 1 Corinthians 7:17. Talk about the kick in the teeth that I needed! God does that sometimes
And then it hit me.
I was exactly where I needed to be. Right there, in that moment. Sure, it would have been great to have a 10-year head start on that career, but you know what I would have missed? Every moment in between. I would have never had the opportunity to serve my country and to feel the immense amount of pride that comes from that. I would have missed all the hard lessons, integrity, and bravery I gained from that experience. I would have missed having my daughter Kira. I can’t even imagine life without her, and I would have missed out on it. There would be no “her.” I would not know so many of the amazing people I’ve crossed paths with over the years of moving and job changes. So many people have touched my life and ultimately changed my world, and I would have never experienced their magic. I would have missed meeting my husband. The life of my dreams that exists right now would have never happened. And so many more things would have been missed if life had gone “as planned.”
God’s plan is perfect.
His timing is perfect, and you must trust the timing of your own unique life and know that you’re always exactly where you are meant to be. You’re allowed to do life differently than the person standing next to you. Give yourself grace. And when God opens a door for you that you think you might be “too old,” or “too late,” for, then you better run through it, fully afraid, but fully trusting that he won’t take you anywhere you’re not meant to be.
Don’t let anyone, especially yourself, tell you that you’ve missed the mark. There are countless stories throughout history of people who seemed to be too far in life but went on to do and create amazing things. You’re not exempt from that list. Whatever your goal or ambition is, big or small, I encourage you to go after it. Make a plan and have faith that God will work out the details on the way. And be grateful for where you are now. The things you’ve done, choices you’ve made (both good and bad), people you’ve met, and lessons you’ve learned have all prepared you for what is to come.
Your story is unique. Your ambitions are yours for the chasing.