WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE?

Some say a life without purpose is no life at all! It could be about living without restrictions or simply pursuing one’s desires. But I can say, I do not want to die, never accomplishing the purpose God had when He created me! So, what is your purpose in life?

Discovering my purpose

I never really thought about my purpose in life or how it would manifest itself after becoming a victim of sexual assault. Having someone to care enough to encourage you because of what they see in you is fantastic. Other people see us differently from the way we see ourselves. I wanted to hide after that horrible experience. Becoming a volunteer was the furthest thing from my mind, but not from the purpose God had in store for me.  

I still question myself. Could I help someone who was hurting? Would the survivor be willing to get help from a Black volunteer, especially if a Black person was the assailant? So many thoughts crossed my mind.

But now, I have 25 years of experience in the crisis prevention industry. Volunteering is where I embraced my calling to serve. It is funny how God works.

My role as a volunteer

• Accompanied the survivor through a medical examination and an interview by the police.  
• Walked the survivor through the court process if the case went to court.   
• Joined the speaker’s bureau, where students learn about sexual assault and how it changes lives.   
• Spoke with community members, the city council, and churches.
• Walked victims through their exams and the police interview.

I left this area where I volunteered, but by then, I knew I was to start a ministry that would support the abused. I was not sure how this would play out, but that was the task set before me.

I could not quit now even if I wanted to; this is one of the signs you see when looking for your calling.

My leap of faith 

As a result of my leap of faith into my purpose, I have achieved the following:

• Darlene J. Harris: Speaking from the Heart Ministry
• Leader of the Women’s Ministry at Community Bible Church, overseeing 400 women.
• Author of And He Restoreth My Soul, an anthology with over 30 people participating. Professional Interview with The Ventura County: L.A. Times.
• Professional interview with the California radio station KKLA.
• Organizing and developing retreats and workshops for various women’s ministries.
• Started “Cura Ministry” for domestic violence in my church.  

It does not take a horrendous act such as rape for one to discover a purpose in life, but God needed someone for this purpose. It was me!

Romans 28 (NASB)And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Resource

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208%3A28&version=NASB