Sometimes, the most powerful words we hear aren’t the ones we expect, but the ones that shake us awake. I once had a friend who spoke something to me — whether intentionally or unintentionally — that stung at first but later opened my eyes to a greater truth.
At the time, I was working a job that, while honorable, wasn’t meant for me long-term. Deep down, I knew I was called to something greater, but I had settled into a routine, comfortable yet unfulfilled.
One day, as my friend was leaving, he turned to me and said, “Man, what are you still doing here?” His words caught me off guard. They weren’t malicious, but they hit a nerve. I had never voiced my inner thoughts to him, yet somehow, he spoke directly to what my heart had been wrestling with. At first, I felt defensive, even a little hurt. But as I sat with his words, they became a mirror, reflecting back the truth I had been avoiding.
God calls each of us to a purpose, and while that purpose may take many different forms, it always involves engaging, loving, and reaching people. Some are called to serve in business, some in education, some in ministry, but wherever we are, we are meant to impact others for His kingdom.
I realized that while I wasn’t supposed to stay in that job forever, I was supposed to be there for a season. That experience laid the foundation for my personal ministry. It was in that place that I learned how to connect with people, how to listen, and how to lead with love.
Looking back, I see that my friend’s words weren’t meant to discourage me but to awaken me. God often uses the people around us to speak life and direction into our journey. That moment of discomfort led to a shift in my mindset and, eventually, in my path. Had I not been in that job, at that time, I wouldn’t have received that message, nor would I have gained the experience necessary for the calling ahead of me.
Sometimes, the words that challenge us the most are the ones that propel us forward. We should listen—not just with our ears but with our hearts — and trust that God is using every season to prepare us for what’s next.