by Leah, SOTB student
“Which of these domains do you see yourself working in?” our teacher asked, writing a list on the white board: government, education, economics, science and technology, arts and entertainment, media and communication, and family.
I knew this question would come up, and I dreaded answering it. What if I’m wrong? What if it’s impossible? I hoped I wouldn’t be called on to answer the question and tried to hide behind my laptop screen.
It all started last year when I was a student in the Bible School for the Nations. A teaching that challenged my beliefs of how God works in the world was about the seven domains, or spheres of influence. (What the teacher wrote on the white board.) I learned how God desires to influence the world through these seven areas – and that there are principles and guidelines in the Bible for each one of them.
A few months ago, I was sitting in a coffee shop before my School of the Bible started, wondering what I would do with my life. I realized how many possibilities there really were. A thought suddenly dropped into my mind: “You could work with government in Mexico.”
Trusting that this thought was from God, I responded, “Me? That’s not possible.” That was the end of the discussion, or so I thought.
Over the next few weeks I received confirmation through various people and situations. Eventually, I realized the thought of me working in government wasn’t something to be ignored.
I knew that this week in School of the Bible we would discuss the seven domains or spheres of society. I expected to learn a lot more and hoped to gain clarity on my big “what will I do for the rest of my life” question. I knew we would spend time learning about government, of course, and that the inevitable questions would be asked. Would I be able to share what I thought were God’s plans for my life? Did I believe it could even happen?
So Sunday night before class I sat in my room listing all my doubts and concerns about working in government. After ten minutes of my lists, God answered my questions with a question: “Is it yourself that you are doubting or my ability to do this in your life?”
This was not what I expected and it took me by surprise. I was instantly humbled with the realization that I put the responsibility of making this dream happen upon my own shoulders–but it always has, and will always be, on God’s.
As I sat in class, shrinking behind my laptop, I remembered what God told me the night before. I remembered how confident I felt when it was just me, alone in my room, spending time with God. Before I realized what I was doing, I raised my hand to answer the question.
I said it outloud–“government.”
I felt so relieved! The confidence from the night before came back to me. And while I don’t know yet what it will look like to work in government or how to actually make a difference in Mexico, I know that with God’s help, I can do it!