Kingdom Promise: Abundance, Hope, and a Future

Wonderfully Made

BY KELLY WILLIAMS HALE

GOD TURNS OUR PAIN INTO PURPOSE SO WE CAN POINT OTHERS TO JESUS.

“Do more of what makes you awesome.” This is the saying on the front of my makeup bag. I’ve probably looked at it a hundred times, but just yesterday, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I heard God say, “Just be yourself, Kelly.”

This has been an ongoing theme in recent months as I’ve been digging deeper into God’s Word.

Who am I? What am I meant to do?

Lord, what did you create me for?

Many women have the same questions. What I know is that God created all of us—in His image—to bring glory to Him. How He does that is often through the gifts and talents He’s given each of us and the skills and experience we’ve cultivated in our lives.

God turns our pain into purpose so we can point others to Jesus, the one who restores our souls.

Before I dive in, I’d like to share a bit of my story.

The past few years have been such a journey for me. I know God has given me the gift of encouragement, and ever since the COVID lockdown occurred, He has provided countless opportunities for me to activate this gift, particularly since I am now working my full-time job remotely. I hate that so many people experienced loss, hardship, and tragedy in 2020, but it was the best year for me in that a long-time prayer was answered: I began working from home.

I have been beyond grateful for the flexibility to manage my days as I meet work deadlines (of course!) and also pursue the desires God placed on my heart.

After my second divorce, God told me to share hope with other single mamas. At the time, I was still getting to know Jesus, becoming a Wednesday night Bible Study girl, and simply trusting God.

I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior when I was 11, but over the years, I had drifted away from Him, choosing instead to do life my way and turning to Him only when I was in dire straits. I would still pray, but it was definitely not from a place of relationship! Looking back, I had a healthy fear of God and knew He was sovereign and the Creator of the universe. What I lacked was believing that I was loved.

GOD HAS A PURPOSE SPECIFIC TO YOU. THAT MEANS HE’S GIVEN YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO FULFILL HIS PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE.

Growing up, I felt a strong need to DO good. I was praised for getting good grades or helping around the house, receiving validation for what I did, not necessarily for who I was.

I always felt like an ugly duckling and constantly compared myself to the other girls in my class, in magazines, or on TV. If only I looked like her. If only I was shorter, smarter, skinnier—fill in the blank—then I would be happy. Worthy. Enough.

It took me years to understand my worth doesn’t come from the things I do (or did) or what I look like, but rather, it comes from who God says I am: Chosen. Loved. His favorite daughter.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born.

Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (PSALM 139:13-16 NLT)

But I am still human, and life has a way of throwing us all curveballs that can throw us off our game. Even the most devoted believer will go through seasons of doubt, fear, and uncertainty. But God. He is faithful to finish the work He started (Philippians 1:6). Romans 8:28 tells us, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (NIV).

A common way our enemy will derail us on the path to our destiny is to tempt us with lies. The lie often begins with, “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1)

For me, it sounded like this: “Did God really say you’re meant to teach single moms? How can He use you? You’ve made so many mistakes.”

Maybe you’ve heard these lies: “Did God really say you had a gift to sing?” “Did God really say you should start that business?” “Did God really say you have a message to share?” These lies have a way of dimming the light we are meant to carry into the world.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. (MATTHEW 5:14 NIV)

Fear is real. God gave us the emotion of fear to keep us safe. But Jesus says, “Fear not.”

Fear can keep us from becoming who God says we already are. We get caught up in perfectionism, pleasing others, and downplaying our gifts because they make folks uncomfortable. When fear keeps us from being ourselves, we begin to live a life never meant for us.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Verse 12 continues, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you” (NIV).

God has a purpose specific to you. That means He’s given you everything you need to fulfill His plan for your life. The key to unlocking all He has for you is found inside your very soul. We were each created purposefully—with our unique personalities, strengths, and even our limitations. (Yes, God knows about your big ears and curly hair—He created them!) His desire is for each of us to “Do more of what makes you awesome.”

Mind you, we are all a work in progress, admonished to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18 NIV). God loves us too much to allow us to stay the same. Abiding in Jesus will, at times, feel like being pruned. Uncomfortable. Awkward. It may even hurt. We may fear we’ll be disappointed in the results. But God is a gentleman. He won’t force us to do anything. We get to choose to follow Him. As we walk out our faith, we will quit comparing our Chapter 1 with someone’s Chapter 12. As we go deeper into the Word, God will reveal what’s next for us.

I’m so excited to see what God does this year!

I am loved.

You are, too.

Kelly Williams Hale is an author, speaker, and coach. Through inner healing and intimacy work, Kelly teaches women how to get past proving their worth and how to fall in love with God. You are invited to join her Facebook community—Sisters Who Shine— for inspiration, encouragement, and support. She can also be reached at thebebravelife@gmail.com.