Have you ever thought about what you’re good at? And I mean what you are really good at. I am not talking about the skills and attributes that you would say in an interview. What I am talking about is your true purpose—the one deep in your heart that you were called to do. The Belong Tour was so much more than just women gathering, praising, and chatting. The conference taught me how to look at my potential and my talents with a new perspective. Jen Hatmaker, Sarah Jakes Roberts, Shauna Niequist, Patsy Clairmont, and Nichole Nordeman reached out to the packed Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska with their welcoming words and big hearts. Together they shared stories of their pasts and how God has worked wonders within their lives.
Throughout the two day conference, the women taught the spectators how to discover one’s purpose and how to believe in it. Purpose is not something to look at passively. It is your God-given track that you are meant to pursue and share with the world. Isn’t that extraordinary? The women explained that sometimes it is easy to figure out your purpose, and sometimes it is not. In a world with so many opportunities at our fingertips, it can be hard to figure out which path leads to emotional, physical, and spiritual success. This is what I learned:
1. Ask yourself “What if?”
What if you didn’t have to worry about money, time, and any other realistic excuse you may have? What would you do?
2. Look to the people around you for guidance and support.
While the people around you provide comfort and support, they also may portray the traits you want to acquire, such as confidence, responsibility, or optimism. Who in your life has the most courage? Who pushes you to be your absolute best? Who is persistent?
3. Set goals.
Goal setting is tossed around loosely too often. It is actually a very rewarding and empowering thing to do when you put genuine effort into it. Make them realistic, find someone to keep you accountable, and get to work.
4. Build the confidence to say “I can and I will.”
Jen Hatmaker said, “You are good at something for a reason. God designed you this way; this is on purpose. It isn’t fake or a fluke or small. This is the mind and heart and hands and voice you’ve been given. Use it.”
5. And most importantly, you belong.
The best part of the conference was how inclusive the women were. No matter what your background, race, or career was, you belonged in Pinnacle Bank Arena that day. Something got you in those doors, and something opened your heart to their empowering message.
Their inspiring stories lit a spark within me. It reminded me that, just like a kid, my imagination was the only limit. I just have to set my mind on what I want and then follow my heart wherever it takes me. Through God who loves me, I have the power to pursue the gifts I have been given, and so do you. Discover your God-given talents, believe that you have the power to follow your heart, and then show the world what you are made of. Show them that you have the courage and the support of those around you to reach for the stars.
The women of the Belong Tour radiate joy. They poured their hearts out to people they have never met. They taught me that my passions and gifts were given to me on purpose, and that if I feel called in my heart to do something that I can and will make it happen. For this reason, I am writing my first published article. Writing is something I have always enjoyed, but never thought I was good enough to show my work to the world. I am finally confident enough in my writing because of the Belong Tour and an English Professor who encouraged me to continue writing. Although I cannot do justice to all of the remarkable words these women spoke at the Belong Tour, I would encourage everyone to seek them out. They changed my view on life and inspired me to chase my dreams. I cannot wait to see them again next year.
