The day I figured out what I want to do with my life

Surprise! Last night I was doing homework (what?) and I was inspired in a big way. Who knew that college classes could make you excited about your future. Didn't see that one coming.

I'm taking a class called Theology of Justice, and it's by far my favorite class I've taken at Bethel yet. We are reading a book called "Good News about Injustice" by Gary Haugen, the CEO of International Justice Mission, and last night I had a full on, earth-shattering, head-spinning, career-shifting breakthrough. I read this passage:

In many communities the most powerful way to heed the biblical injunction to bear each other's burdens is to hear the stories of those who are burdened by the oppressive abuse of power ... the two stories that deserve to be told with passion and excellence are the stories of the victims of abuse and the stories of what God has done to bring rescue ... they all deserve to have their stories told with honesty, authenticity, power and life ... by vividly telling the stories of victims, we not only lend their stories the dignity and honor they deserve, we also provide the essential service of love to fellow Christians and citizens who are isolated and alienated from the hurting neighbors God created them to love. Through the stories of victims we can render the reality of injustice in a way that overcomes the barriers of distance, vagueness, remoteness and emotional numbness, and we connect them to the intimate human drama of their suffering neighbor. 
(223, 229, 230)

THAT. Holy cow. I know what I want to do with my life.

The entire time I have been reading this book, I kept thinking "holy gee, how can I do something like that?" If I'm being completely honest, I've been struggling lately with what I can do with my majors that will actually make an impact in people's lives. Yes, everyone needs journalism, and art is an essential part of humanity, but there is no real and tangible impact other than what we see everyday. I'm interested in the radical.

I want to write about the injustices I witness. I want to witness them, first of all. I never thought I'd say that, but I do want to know what's out there. I want to be exposed, I want to listen to painful and inspiring and amazing stories, and I want to record them for those of us who don't know about these injustices. I want to be the transfer of information, in a beautiful and honest way.

I never knew it was a possibility to be able to tell someone exactly what you want to do with your life. I have never known the feeling of "having a calling."  Its pretty rad.

So life fairs well here in Arden Hills. School, work, homework, repeat. At least now I know that there is a higher purpose, and it feels so good.