Since I was young, I have always questioned what my purpose was in this world. When I was small, I wanted to be an artist. I had no real vision of what that might look like, and I had no idea the details and hard work involved in such a career. But that was my dream…and that dream was enough. I dreamt of painting and drawing, selling my art to support myself. I was fascinated with color and the ability to relay a scene on a canvas for others to enjoy. But as I grew older, my goals began to grow and evolve alongside me.
By middle school, I knew I wanted desperately to work in the medical field. I knew I wanted to go to a prestigious university, and then to med school to eventually practice medicine in a hospital setting. My dream became my passion, and I worked towards that goal with everything inside of me, studying and aiming towards a seemingly unreachable aspiration in the eyes of onlookers. But I persisted. And that dream was enough.
The year before I began my college career, I vividly recall writing a novel I was drafting in the margins of a science notebook in the middle of class, distracted by the chapter I was determined to finish constructing before the bell rang for the next class period. And it was then that I realized that my calling was not to be a painter. It was not to be a doctor. It was to write. Writing was my purpose.
This newfound revelation inspired me to dig through some of the writing I’d done over the years. I found dozens and dozens of journals and notebooks filled with marvelous and outlandish tales I had created from the innocent age of seven to the complex age of seventeen. I’d written poetry and songs, screenplays and novels, diary entries and articles that will likely never be seen by eyes other than my own. I’d been inspired by classic novelists, driven by modern poets to write a story that somehow had yet to be written. Writing was my dream. And that dream was everything.
Discovering my love and skill for writing was an exciting and thrilling moment in my life. I decided I would change my course of direction and aim to attend college with the aspiration of obtaining a degree in English and Creative Writing. Having this new goal pushed me to place more effort into my writing, to challenge myself toward growth and dedication to this passion, even greater than I had towards the things I’d been passionate about before.
After a brief period of attending University out of state, my passion for writing grew stronger while my passion for life grew weaker. I battled through more turmoil at the age nineteen than I had in any other stage of my life. I warred with my identity, I wrestled with my self-worth, and I greatly doubted my purpose in life, despite writing being my greatest motivation.
In the midst of this major trial in my life, I began to recognize and notice the many trials faced by so many others around me. I saw brokenness and longing for love in some of my closest friends. I saw bitterness and resentment in the eyes of leaders and professors I’d come to know and respect. I saw anger and confusion in the faces of those crossing busy city streets. I saw hopelessness and desperation in the postures of the homeless men and women I’d pass on street corners each day.
It was then that I realized that my heart longed for more. More for my life. More for the lives of each individual I came across. It was then that I realized that simply being a painter would have never been enough. Being a mere physician would have never given me joy. Being only a writer would have never fulfilled my purpose.
I wanted to serve. Not myself, but my family. My community. My world. And, most importantly, God’s Kingdom.
Now, at age 25, I can say that I have lived out more than one of the dreams I’ve had since childhood.
I am a painter: I have painted for youth and adults with special needs for art therapy and visual learning. I have painted murals with adolescents and taught painting classes to young art students with an eye for acrylic beauty. I have learned of the significance in the simple stroke of a paintbrush or the sketch of pencil on canvas, and I have engaged that need in the form of helping others.
I have worked in the field of medicine, not by degree, but by action, learning necessary medical skills to work with children and elderly individuals with health concerns around the United States. I have held the hands of infirmed seniors and played sports with children with a range of medical needs that many others would conclude should define their incapability. I have comforted those who were sick and gave care to those who were bed-ridden.
I am a writer. I have written songs to put smiles on the faces of children. I have written stories to entertain students on a rainy day indoors. I have published articles that reached thousands around the United States on topics that connect the great youths of our society. I have written poems that inspired a new thread of hope in those longing for a reason to move forward.
Each dream that God has gifted me has been used for the serving of others and ultimately for His glory. And now, my dream is to reach out, connect to, and serve those in need, in whatever capacity necessary. And that dream is now being realized in this next phase of my journey.
I have recently joined a team of likeminded individuals, willing to lay down all that they have and all that they know to fulfill God’s Word of bringing Heaven on Earth. I have joined a team of fellow Christians, ready to walk out their faith into the unknown to seek and live out God’s purpose for their lives, just as I aim to do in this upcoming year.
I have joined The World Race.
This Race is a year-long missions expedition through the organization Adventures in Missions, where I and a few dozen others will embark on the journey of a lifetime, bringing hope to individuals in at least 11 different countries and cultures over the span of 11 months. Our goal is to share the Gospel with as many as will hear it, and to bring light to a dark and often unforgiving world.
The World Race opens up a multitude of opportunities for not only those we aim to serve and for those of us who are serving, but for those who are supporting us behind the scenes. I invite you, whether you are a lover of humanity, an activist in your community, and/or a fellow servant in Jesus’ Kingdom, to partner with me as I embark on the Race of a lifetime. I invite you to step into this world-changing movement of faith with me towards the fulfillment of purpose and the commandment of Love.
My journey is not just beginning. Neither is yours. Our journeys now are only extensions of what our journeys have been. And it is time to leave the old things behind and step into the new.
This is my new dream. This is my new passion. This is my purpose.
My question to you is: What’s yours?
You Are Loved,
Aliseya
