Every child hears at some point during their childhood and/or adolescence, "you can be ANYTHING you want to be when you grow up!" Most people who have been told this quickly come to realize that this isn't true. For example, much to my chagrin, I did not grow up to be a princess, a rocket ship, or a koala bear. I suppose that I could potentially marry royalty, but I don't have that aspiration anymore. Our ambitions tend to evolve as we grow. Along the way, adults, teachers, peers, and maybe even strangers will encourage us to become this, that, or the other. Sometimes, we are blessed with talents that we never use as more than an entertaining hobby and people act like this is a horrendous atrocity. People have told me I should do many things. "You're great with people, you would make a great counselor." "What a lovely singing voice, why not pursue music?" "You love reading, being an English teacher would suit you perfectly!" All those suggestions may be true or suggested for good reason, but sometimes, God calls us to lead a life that doesn't necessarily employ our talents.
Take Moses, for example.
He was a terrible speaker, in his opinion. In fact, when he told God that he thought his brother Aaron would make a better spokesperson for the Israelites, God did not dispute him on that point. Rather, God continued to insist that Moses would get the job done. Why? Because God chose Moses for that specific task.
As college students, as Christians, and heck, as HUMANS we act as if our career choice or life mission is limited by what we consider ourselves capable of. Yes, there are certain things we, in all likelihood, won't or "can't" achieve. Such as being the first person to go to Mars, inventing a language interpreter for dog barks etc. However, as Christians we should be open to the fact that God may have a plan for us that doesn't make earthly sense. He may ask you to pursue a job which doesn't at all line up with what your degree plan prepared you for. God may tell you to begin leading worship for a church when the mere thought of being on a stage makes you want to puke. The Lord will perhaps ask you to get married and have children when He sends the suitable spouse your way even though marriage sounds like a ball and chain to you. The point is, no, we can't really be anything we want when we grow up according to human standards. But God CAN equip us for anything He wants, and we need to be prepared to take on the tasks Hee calls us for.
I admit that as a privileged white female attending a private university that comfort, well, comforts me. I doubt I would be too tickled if I suddenly felt called to quit school and pursue the mission field or to work closely with octopuses. As a Christian, I am not called to do what I want all the time. God requires many things of us that are uncomfortable, but they will all be will worth it in the end. Not only is it nearly impossible to be anything you want to be when you grow up, but I would also like to propose that you perhaps SHOULDN'T be anything you want when you grow up. We are on this earth to glorify the Lord, not ourselves. Are you willing to be remade by Him?
