I thought I was the only one that this “disorder” just plagued me but in reality, multiple personalities or Dissociative Identity Disorder as it is called now plagues millions of people.
Let me explain, for years I have seen others go from one passion to the next, from wanting to pursue law, economics or the restaurant business all in ONE year!
Most people are not kind to those that like to explore and have a “change of heart” as often as the weather changes (and here in New England the weather changes A LOT), but let me ask you this: how would you know EXACTLY what is that thing you are supposed to do for the REST of your life?
Yes, some people know what they want to do when they grow up, that is a HUGE blessing, however, others like me needed to try their hand at cooking, design, customer service, purchasing, banking, financial services, writing, coaching, car rental, teaching and so many other things I can’t recall at the moment before we could FINALLY get crystal clear on what was it that we were called to do.
One of the many benefits of trying and pursuing different career paths or callings is that we get to collect quite an eclectic and some might even call random types skills and experiences. I would never forget an interview I watched, it was one of those Hollywood stars do when they are promoting a movie, I forget the movie but I know the actor was Jamie Foxx. He was talking about all the different skills he collected along his life and career, many of them seemed so random and even a waste of time. However, when he went on to list all the skills and experiences he had collected and how they had come in handy for MANY of the major acting roles offered to him it totally made sense to him, why he had gone through those experiences and all the heartache.
I watched that interview quite a few years but that part stayed with me and now that I am having my own aha moment about all my “random” experiences and past passions I can see how God’s hand was on me, guiding me through the board game of life making sure I picked up ALL the tools, techniques, connections, heartaches, and experiences to bring me to this day.
So no, I am NOT announcing that I suffer from a mental illness (at least not that I aware of) I am, however, unveiling my final destination (as of this moment anyway), my true north if you will. After five years of switching, niching here and there in business, trying to find my true voice and to be honest, myself, I can finally see that my main three gifts of speaking, writing and teaching have been developed for ministry via Confidence Unchained Ministries.
I was scared to even admit it to myself; after all, I was raised to believe that women of God were only to have women-only ministries and often to just serve in the kitchen (not that there is nothing wrong with that ministry), but that mindset tends to put God in a box. Who says that only men can have an “everybody ministry”? Who says that God cannot use mighty women of God for His glory? Have we forgotten about Ruth, Abigail, Esther, Mary, Elizabeth or Eunice? There are so many other women in the bible that led many to Christ with their ministry in spite of being women. Today, women like Tina Moore Brown, Cassandra Elliot, Pastor Kimberly Jones, Saundra Wall-Williams, Priscilla Shire, Sarah Jakes Roberts to name a few are doing great things for the Kingdom. Sharing their stories and their gifts for EVERYONE to hear.
Never in a million years did I allow myself to hear God’s calling to ministry because I thought I was too damaged, too female and just not qualified. Have you ever felt that way? But words of encouragement came from everywhere like:
1 Corinthians 1:27 Amplified Bible (AMP)
27 But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things, which are strong [revealing their frailty].
And
Esther 4:14 Amplified Bible (AMP)
14 For if you remain silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish [since you did not help when you had the chance]. And who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this [and for this very purpose]?”
And I cannot forget….
Jeremiah 29:11 Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.
I don’t know where you stand today in regards to your calling, ministry or whatever you are trying to call it, but I do know that is NEVER too late to say like Samuel said:
1 Samuel 3:9 Amplified Bible (AMP)
9 So Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and it shall be that if He calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant, is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
This is YOUR chance to accept that you actually DO NOT have a Multiply Personality Disorder but in fact, you actually were just gaining the experience, ALL the connections, heartache, lessons and tools to serve Him with all your might and ALL your heart.
So let me lead by example, I have decided to accept the calling as a minister of the word of God, to use my main three gifts of speaking, writing and teaching for His glory. To FINALLY do what He told me to do ALL those years ago in Sunday School:
Acts 1:8Amplified Bible (AMP)
8 But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
Now, is your turn, will you do like Samuel, Moses, Paul, Peter, Joshua, David, John the Baptist and now Catherine Storing and accept YOUR calling?
I know IS NOT the popular thing to do, I know is scary, I know you have no idea how it’ll turn out or the FULL extent of what He is calling you to do, but I can tell you this:
1 Thessalonians 5:24Amplified Bible (AMP)
24 Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you [to Himself for your salvation], and He will do it [He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own].
If you are or have struggled to accept your calling, please tell me below so others can be encouraged by your obedience and hopefully come alongside you and serve Him.
God bless you,
Catherine E. Storing