READ: MATTHEW 6:31-34; 22:37-39; 28:18-20; 1 PETER 4:8-11

When I was in my final year of high school, I dreaded the moment when people asked me, “Do you know what you want to do?” It felt like something was wrong with me when I replied, “I don’t know.” There were so many different paths I could take—how could I ever figure out what God was calling me to? I wanted to serve the Lord but had no clue what exactly He wanted me to do.

Eventually, I buckled down, held my breath, and made a choice about what to pursue after high school. I’m still not sure where God will take me on the path I’ve chosen, but I trust that He’s leading the way. One thing that has been helpful is that my perspective on how I serve the Lord has changed. You see, in high school, I was obsessed with trying to figure out what lifelong career God wanted me to commit to. However, I have since learned that calling is not so much about what God has called you to—but who He has called you to.

Ever since humans first rejected God and sin entered the world as a result, God has been on a mission to bring the world back to Himself. He sent His perfect Son, Jesus Christ, to take the punishment for our sins by dying on the cross. Jesus defeated sin and death by rising to life, making the way for us to be forgiven and made new by the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah! And now, the final part of God’s master plan is underway—as we wait for the day Jesus will return and renew the heavens and the earth, we are called to encourage and teach others to come to God through Christ. All along, people have been the focus of this rescue operation, so people are the focus of our callings. God is calling each and every one of us to be a part of His beautiful mission to bring His redeeming love to people throughout the world. • Emma Schoessow

• Thinking about our future can sometimes be stressful. But we find freedom in the good news of Jesus’s death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. We get to hand over our worries to God and take part in His mission. How could remembering God’s love—and how Jesus has already done all that was needed to save and redeem us—help relieve the pressure in your life?

• First Peter 4:10 says, “Use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” What spiritual gifts and natural abilities or talents has God given you? How could you use these to serve others?

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I [Jesus] have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)