Faith and Purpose Essay
by: Sarah C. Rodriguez
Purpose is an evading idea. Each person has his or hers purpose, but very few are willing to find it. Finding one's true purpose is hard work, long and self denying. It requires searching the face of God, obeying His word, and giving up all preconceptions and fears. Each man and woman has but one purpose: to glorify God.
I personally have spent much time trying to understand why I am here; Imagine my surprise to find that I must only glorify God. I must only exemplify His perfection, and His love to the world in all I do; and upon that rests all purpose, all reasons for every endeavor. I believe mine to be an enormous one. I believe I will glorify God in a big way, and this is what has been promised me by God; I believe it because more than anything I want to do big things for Him. This is my God-given desire, and I intend to fulfill it.
Last summer, I interned for a total of one month at Country Camp in Columbus, Texas. This campus is a summer camp and houses Texas Bible Institute. As an intern, I mostly worked in the food lines, where the campers were served their meals. I was able to rise to a position of leadership, to talk to some of my friends that were having problems, and to pray with some of the campers themselves during the church services there. Those services were incredible; they focused on challenging us to give everything to God, to pour it out in worship, prayer, and deed. I learned that no weapon formed against me shall prosper and received a word that my ministry will succeed because I am blessed and chosen by God. The ministry that I lead for God will succeed through Him and for Him, because He gave me the desire and the gifts needed to see it through.
Also last summer, I developed an intense hunger for God's word. Through fulfilling this hunger, I have developed a constant sense of hope. I have learned to worship God and walk with Him in my own home or wherever I may be. I believe that God has given me a gift of fellowship with Him that will help me in my schooling and afterward in my life by instilling forever in me a strong sense of peace and self and a strong desire to discipline myself so that I excel in all I do. I strongly believe a daily walk with God will strengthen the hold of the Holy Spirit in my life, which in turn creates a better work ethic. I do understand, however, that I can only do these things because I am learning to lean not on my own understanding. My thoughts are no longer on questioning God. I often condemn my failure, and they have been many, as I am only human. But I am always reminded of who I am and what I have been promised and what I must do. These discouraging thoughts never last long; all that God has given me to do, I can do. I am learning to put aside childish things and become the adult I am meant to be.
I have grown up a reader. I have been reading everything I could since I was able to read. Dreaming often follows reading; thus, I am a dreamer. I have aspirations for great things, particularly in the government of this country. My ultimate goal is to be on the Supreme Court. Things have been so wrong in that branch of government, and I have seen the effects of ignoring the Constitution and the Biblical basis that it was founded on. I believe that is impossible to explain the ideas of true government, freedom, and what people have a right to and what they do not, to a completely immoral society; I see all things in black and white, right and wrong, without relativity. I do not stand for compromise or lies, and I will not put up with the constant degradation of the country that I love. I will do something about it if it kills me.
It is through the rigorous program at Patrick Henry that I intend to do this. I believe that because I am young, it is time that I undertake something that will humble me more than I have yet been. I feel that the things you wish to instill in your students are exactly what I need to learn. I feel that a good classical education background will help my in my aspirations, and that your emphasis on Godly life will never allow me to compromise or to be deceived into accepting a lower standard.
I understand that my youth may present a question of my readiness. Allow me to assure you of it. I have ever been an adapting person. I learn to change tactics quickly in order to succeed, while at the same time have learned to never lose sight of what I have and what I have left to do. Above all else, however, I believe that God has called me in this direction. I believe this to be the next step in His plan for me. Right now, there is nothing I desire more than to attend Patrick Henry College. I believe that I have an anointing to lead, and a matching desire. It was prophesied to me by a dear friend that I am not a preacher or much of a speaker at all, but I will lead and minister through my actions. Though I still need to mature, the anointing is inside of me and especially now, when I am deciding the next steps for my life, I feel it boiling out of me, pulsating and humming. It motivates me to think and to analyze, to grow. I believe that the education and atmosphere you offer will be more rigorous than I have ever experience or can expect, but that I will ultimately succeed. I feel guided to your school, your impeccable professors and administrators, and your pursuit of excellence.
I have spent my childhood preparing to prepare. It fills me with joy to think of what God has for me. I give Him my all every day, but I know God has bigger plans for my life, and I give it wholly to Him. I need to be prepared. I need to learn to care for myself while still caring for others. I need to learn to think and articulate and inspire like never before. I can think of no better way to continue my life and move up to a different phase in my life than at your school. I feel and always have felt that this school is meant for me. I feel that my love for knowledge, truth, and justice will also help me to do what I am called to do in a way that will truly touch this country.
I have always loved reading and writing, and I admit I like to argue every now and then. I have a talent of expressing myself fairly well though it still be in the rough. I know that God is helping me grow through His word and through direct prayer to Him, but He has also promised me friends and peers to help guide me and teach me. I believe that those promised persons can be found in your school, and I ask to be admitted there.
I appreciate your time in reading this and may God bless you and keep you, and may His face shine upon you.
