Godly Gifts

Church has always been an interesting topic for me. I guess I’ve always kind of felt like an outsider- never completely fitting the mold of a typical youth kid. Growing up, I deeply cared about grades and success, and my biggest aspiration was to go to college on a full-ride scholarship. I didn't stop there, though. I had several goals along the way, including wanting to be Valedictorian, head cheerleader, a Ford Leadership Scholar, win National and State contests, be class president, etc.

In God's kindness, He allowed me to achieve all of these things, but the journey was rough. As I studied hard and prayed harder, a part of me always wished I had someone to look up to in the church who understood where I was coming from. 

I wasn’t really able to find that until I went to college. It was at Texas A&M that God allowed me to cross paths with some of the most joyful, smart, and Christ-like individuals I had ever met. Several of them surpassed me in the GPA arena while also being devoted to Christ. I was and still am astonished and inspired by them.

Growing up, I would always hear of the importance of serving the church with my gifts, but I never knew what “gift” I had and how I could use it to edify the church. I mean, I knew how to study and obtain scholarships, but how could God use that?

God so graciously met me in this question and answered my prayers this past semester. To understand the magnitude of this testimony, I’ll give you some more background. As a sophomore in high school, I began becoming more aware of my need for Christ. I was barely able to stand under the pressure I put on myself to succeed, and I remember feeling a great deal of peace as I would sit in the pews at church and listen to the worship songs. I remember a few songs in particular that we would sing in youth group. The songs “Right on Time” and “Greater” really spoke to me. I so desperately wanted someone to relate the gospel to school, but they rarely did. Fortunately, the Lord spoke to my heart and my specific situation through these songs (also Trust in You by Lauren Daigle), and my sister and I were baptized the day before junior year of high school. One thing that Bailee and I have both had to learn is that people don't always say the right things, but the Lord knows what you need to hear.

Flash forward to now. I’m on the other side of all the academic goals and aspirations that I was worried about in high school. One day this past semester, my sister and I got a text from a girl from our church. She asked us for help applying for the Terry Scholarship. It was the craziest thing because she had actually been on my heart for the past couple of months. Bailee and I were able to offer her practical wisdom mixed with Godly advice as we strove to be the people we needed growing up. 

God used this experience to teach me just how intentional He was in creating me. None of my prayers have gone unheard. Although my testimony is unique, God thinks it's beautiful. Even though I'm not your cookie-cutter church girl, I do have faith, and faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. By utilizing the gifts God has given me to help someone apply for scholarships, I not only gained a new friend, but I also get the joy of cheering her on as she moves into her next phase of life. 

I took this photo after conducting a mock scholarship interview with her. This was one of my better days in regards to my hair, makeup, and outfit, but I felt truly beautiful on the inside because I knew I was honoring the Lord by sacrificing my time to help someone else.

God is just so cool, and I can’t wait to see how He continues to use every part of my story for His glory. High school was rough, and so is college, but knowing that I am able to help and encourage others with what I've learned is my motivation. My heart is for the high school girl who feels overlooked and the college girl who is crying in her dorm room, wondering if God has anything good in store for her. I was both of those girls (and sometimes still am), but I know without a doubt that God has good things in store for you both you and me.

Love,

Breanna Chavez