He has Greater Things Planned – Claire
I used to feel uncertain about my place in the world, but now, I’m confident. I know that Jesus loves everyone, and He wants us to love others just as He loves us. And because of that love, He wants us to have a relationship with Him, so we can all be one big family in heaven. That’s such a beautiful thing, and I want everyone to experience it. Especially kids.
I wasn’t bullied, and I didn’t face any major struggles growing up, but when my faith became real, I realized that being a Christian isn’t just about saying you are—it’s about having a relationship with Jesus and growing in that relationship. I didn’t want to be the kid who stood in the back of worship, laughing at others. I wanted to be the one who brought my Bible to church, tried to memorize verses, and truly worshipped.
It was during VBS one summer that everything clicked for me. They were talking about the ABCDs (Admit, Believe, Choose, Declare), and at first, I wasn’t sure if I was ready. But the next day, something in my heart told me, “You need Jesus.” So I prayed the prayer to accept Jesus as my savior, and the leaders took me to the back, where they gave me a letter. I took it home to my mom, and when she read it, she squealed in joy and hugged me. I got baptized the next weekend at the church we were attending at the time.
something in my heart told me, “You need Jesus.”
Growing up with two younger sisters, I was always around kids, and I’ve realized that I’m good with them. It’s not like I speak their language, but I can understand them in a way that makes it easier to connect. I get what they want and what they’re trying to say most of the time. So when I felt like God was calling me to disciple kids, I knew it was something I could do.
One day, I was in the car with my mom, and out of nowhere, I said, “Mom, I really feel like God is calling me to disciple kids. I want them to have a relationship with Christ like I do.” She was so supportive, and we prayed about it. Soon after, I started serving at church with the two-year-olds and kindergartners. I loved it. I also get the chance to help lead worship in Kids Ministry and share my testimony with the kids! Then, I joined the Blaze Worship Team at First Baptist Academy, which gave me even more opportunities to disciple kids.
I’ve always gone to First Baptist Academy. I started there a year before I became a Christian, and it definitely helped shape my faith. At school, we don’t just learn about math or science; we learn about God through all of those subjects. At First Baptist, we read the Bible every day, and that made a big difference in my life.
Now, looking back, I see how every step I took was part of God’s plan for my life. At first, I was just doing what felt right—serving at church, leading worship, and discipling kids. But it was all leading me to a closer relationship with God and the realization that I was fulfilling His purpose for me.
it was all leading me to a closer relationship with God and the realization that I was fulfilling His purpose for me.
God is calling all of us to use our gifts for His glory. Whether you’re a five-year-old inviting a friend to church or a teenager standing up for what’s right, it’s the little moments of obedience that make a big difference. God can use anyone—of any age—to make an impact. And that’s what I want to do with my life: to be a part of what God is doing, no matter where it leads.
I know that God has big things planned for me. I have no clue what they are, but whether they’re good or bad, I know that God’s going to be with me.
He definitely has greater things planned for me.