Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim BurtKenisha Williams was a 21-year-old college student standing at the crossroads of life, grappling with the question that had weighed on her for years: What am I supposed to do with my life? Despite her success—good grades, a scholarship, and a part-time job—Kenisha felt aimless. She had tried everything to fill the void. She dove into self-help books, explored different philosophies, and even dabbled in yoga and meditation. Yet, the more she sought answers, the more lost she felt.Kenisha grew up going to church occasionally, but her faith had always been on the periphery of her life. She often wondered if God was real and, if so, what He wanted from her. The swirling opinions of friends, professors, and social media only added to her confusion. Deep down, she wanted to believe in something greater, something real, but how could she when life felt so hollow?One rainy afternoon, after another discouraging career counseling session, Kenisha wandered into a local coffee shop. As she sat staring out the window, her coffee untouched, she noticed a young woman at a nearby table. This woman, whose name Kenisha would later learn was Sarah, radiated an inexplicable joy. She was smiling as she read her Bible, entirely at peace despite the storm raging outside. Intrigued, Kenisha couldn’t help but ask, “What makes you so happy?”Sarah looked up, her eyes warm and inviting. “It’s not about me being happy,” she said. “It’s about knowing I’m loved and created for a purpose by God. That changes everything.”Kenisha hesitated but felt compelled to keep talking. “I’ve been searching for purpose, but I don’t know where to start. Honestly, I feel so… lost.”Sarah nodded knowingly. “I’ve been there. But let me tell you, the first step is understanding who you are—who God created you to be.”Over the next hour, Sarah shared her own journey of feeling lost and how it led her to Jesus. She explained how she once questioned everything too—her identity, future, and self-worth. But everything changed when she realized that her purpose wasn’t something she had to figure out alone. It was something God had already written into her life.Kenisha was captivated by Sarah’s story, especially when she said, “God’s promises in the Bible aren’t just ancient words. They’re alive, Kenisha. They tell us who we are and what we’re here for.”Sarah opened her Bible and read from Isaiah 43:1 (NLT): “But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says: Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.”Tears welled up in Kenisha's eyes as she whispered, “Do you think that could be true for me? That God really has a plan for my life?”“Absolutely,” Sarah said with confidence. “He’s calling you by name, Kenisha. He’s been waiting for you to come to Him.”That day marked a turning point in Kenisha's life. Sarah invited her to a Bible study, where Kenisha found a community of people who were just as hungry for answers as she was. Together, they explored the Bible, and Kenisha's eyes were opened to the incredible truth that she was not just a random collection of cells wandering through life. She was chosen, loved, and called by God.As Kenisha grew in her faith, she began to see her life differently. She realized that her purpose wasn’t tied to a specific career or achievement but to living as a light in the world, just as Sarah had been for her. She found joy in small acts of kindness, in encouraging her classmates, and in sharing her newfound hope with others.One evening, Kenisha stumbled across Hosea 14:1-2 (NKJV): “O Israel, return to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity; take words with you, and return to the Lord. Say to Him, ‘Take away all iniquity; receive us graciously.’” The verse reminded her of how far she had wandered from God and how graciously He had called her back.Kenisha also embraced Matthew 6:33 (NKJV): “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” She made it her life verse, choosing to seek God first in everything she did.Two years later, Kenisha stood before a group of freshmen at her college, sharing her testimony. “I used to think I had to figure out my purpose on my own,” she said. “But the truth is, God already had a purpose for me. He created me to be a light, to show His love to the world. If you feel lost, just know this: God is calling you by name. He’s waiting for you to come to Him, just like He waited for me.”As Kenisha spoke, she noticed a young woman in the back of the room wiping tears from her eyes. Kenisha smiled, remembering her first conversation with Sarah in that coffee shop. She realized, in that moment, that she had become someone else’s “Sarah.” She was living her purpose—not perfectly, but faithfully—and that made all the difference.In His love,Pastor Tim Burt
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