What is life without purpose? Some say it is no life at all! Some say it is about living without restrictions and pursuing my desires. But I can say I don’t want to die, never accomplishing the dream God had when He created me! What is your purpose in life?
Today was a different kind of day for me. It is my BIRTHDAY! As I thought about my life, I took time, looked at pictures, and read what my classmates said about me. It was strange but funny. Most of the boys said I helped them by listening to their problems. The girls indicated I was fun and had a sense of humor that they hoped I would never lose. Reflecting on these days enabled me to see where the pathway to my purpose began.
Looking for a place for me.
God will take you out of familiar territory to help you face life. Especially when it has to do with His purpose. God wanted me to see and grow from surviving the sexual assault. Triggers seemed to come like darts through conversations at the same time. These triggers or conversations are what sent me to therapy. I began to see the profound impact of sexual assault. I had walked into a world that I was not aware I lived in. It is not just a statistic. It is a lived experience that alters one entire being. She said, “Darlene, you have a limited understanding of what you can do.”
My therapist kept encouraging me. She went as far as to give me the name of a Crisis Prevention Center near where I lived. But I was still hesitant about whether I can help anyone. I struggled to stand on my own two feet. But I applied, and they accepted my application to become a member of Rape Crisis as a volunteer.
I now have 25 years of experience in the crisis prevention industry. Volunteering is where I embraced my calling to serve.
Empowering Others Through Service
Volunteers stayed with the survivor during a medical exam and a police interview. Volunteers would walk through the court process with the survivor if the case went to court. I also joined the speaker’s bureau. I talked to students about sexual assault and how it changes lives. We discussed the effect on communities and the changes that put them at a higher risk than before. I walked victims through their exams and the police questioning. Whenever classes were available, I attended. By this time, quitting was not a choice, even if I wanted to. This is one of the signs you see when looking for your calling. It whispers from the depths of the soul.
When I moved, I left the area where I volunteered. But by then, I knew I was to start a ministry that would support and embrace the abused. I was not sure how this would play out, but that was the task set before me. I took a leap of faith into my calling and started walking.
God opened doors for me and will do the same for you.
- Darlene J. Harris: Speaking from the Heart.
- Finish anthology with over thirty people. The book is “And He Restoreth My Soul.”
- The Ventura County – L.A. Times interviewed me.
- Radio interview with KKLA.
- Speaking and developing retreats for women.
- Before I left California, I helped start a domestic violence ministry, “Cura,” at my church.
I’m not saying that it takes a devious act to have a purpose. Rape is an atrocious and vicious act against one’s spirit, body, and soul. But God needed something from the stolen plunder. So, He created it. It was me!
God created you with a purpose. He will reveal it to you in His time and way, and when He knows you are ready. Prepare yourself for when He speaks to you!
Take a moment and reflect—what passions stir within you, waiting for you to unleash them?
New Bible Gateway
Romans 15:6 (NASB)
so that with one purpose and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:5 (NASB)
Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a pledge.
Ephesians 1:11 (NASB)
In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will,
