Finding my path
“What are your plans for the future?” “What college are you going to?” “What do you want your major to be in college?” As the end of high school approaches, these are the questions I’ve heard more and more often.
Until recently, I dreaded the topic of my post-high-school plans. The societal expectations for me to have my life planned out and to have solid goals was stressful. I couldn’t shake the pressure. The longer I looked for the “right” answer about my future, the more stress I felt and the less I felt that I knew what that answer was.
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The longer I looked for the “right” answer for my future, the more stress I felt.
One Sunday, I had been praying about finding a way forward when this sentence from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures stood out to me during Christian Science Sunday School: “When we wait patiently on God and seek Truth righteously, He directs our path” (Mary Baker Eddy, p. 254).
Reading that made me feel like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. For the first time, I knew that I wasn’t going through this alone but had God to guide me.
Inspired by this idea, and also by talking with my Sunday School teacher, I searched for similar concepts in the Bible. As I did, I found one that stuck with me: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105). I was comforted knowing that God would show me where I needed to go and would provide for me no matter which path I took. I was confident that I would know what my next steps should be.
Over the next week, I continued looking for inspiration in the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy’s writings. I prayed with Mrs. Eddy’s poem “ ‘Feed My Sheep’ ” because it’s all about how God guides us the way a shepherd guides and guards his sheep (see Poems, p. 14). I also thought about the story of Moses in the Bible and how God helped him to lead the Israelites out of captivity. This made God’s care and direction feel very real to me and brought me a lot of comfort.
Not long after that, during a break at band camp, the percussion staff brought up the United States Navy versus Army drumline battles and described aspects of drumming for the military. I had never considered continuing any form of marching band outside of high school except for college marching band. But I felt a strong pull toward the idea of drumming for the military.
I was comforted knowing that God would show me where I needed to go and would provide for me no matter which path I took.
The more I researched, the more perfect this path felt for me. I could continue my love for drumming while working toward my future and serving my country.
Later, as I was walking through a hallway at school, an information booth caught my eye. It offered descriptions of the different branches of the military and explained how to contact recruiters for additional information. I felt I had the direction I needed and was now ready to answer those questions about my future!
I am so grateful for God’s loving guidance helping me recognize an opportunity to do what I love. I know that my future is secure because I will always have God’s guidance.