“Life can only be understood by looking backward; but it must be lived looking forward” — Soren Kierkegaard (1813–1855)

Looking back, there were several things that lead me to Radiologic Technology, and eventually Radiation Therapy. I can’t say that I felt called by God, but I do know that I was unhappy in the place that I was. I felt stuck. I was barely living paycheck to paycheck, I wasn’t enjoying my work, and I felt frozen in the life that I was living. I wasn’t only scared to make changes, I believed I couldn’t take the steps necessary.

As I complained to my parents about my situation, my dad looked at me and said, “Why don’t you go to x-ray school?”

That’s all it took. I was unstuck.

The next day I applied for the Radiologic Technology program. I applied just days before the deadline. When I was accepted, I remember feeling like this was the beginning of something good. I felt like I was actually going to be doing something that I could learn to love, that mattered, and that could set me up for a prosperous future. I loved being an x-ray tech. I met amazing people who helped shape my life. I was challenged, yet confident. I kept learning, and I cross trained into Computed Tomography and Mammography. I truly felt that I was exactly where I needed to be at that time of my life.

Of course, life can change quickly. After my divorce, I felt deeply that it was time to make a career change. I made the decision to apply to Radiation Therapy school and was accepted. I worked as a Rad Tech while I got through a year of Radiation school. There were times of doubt, and regret, and discouragement, but I remained in school and graduated. I was called to be a Radiation Therapist, without a doubt.

When I look back at the decisions that shaped my career, God was there. He was there when my mom and dad had a conversation about their future, and dad decided to go to Rad Tech school and then become a Radiation Therapist. He was there when dad mentioned it to me and I latched onto the idea. He was there when my applications were being reviewed. He was there when I met my future husband at the clinic I was assigned to. He was there when I was tired of working and studying. He was there when I was trying to mask my feelings and failures with alcohol. He was there during the laughter and the tears. He orchestrated all of it. He called me to my purpose, and I couldn’t even see it until looking back on it. Now I understand that God has always been in my story.

Apostle Paul urges us to live fully in the purpose that God has gifted us. “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3: 20 NLT) We have the power of God at work within us, which is beautiful and wonderful and overwhelming. We can accomplish anything with that power, and we can live fully in our purpose. Paul lived in the purpose given to him by Jesus Christ himself, but Paul had a hard time. He was bullied, beaten, imprisoned, and ostracized. Yet, he never gave up on his purpose. He never decided his calling was too difficult or made the decision that it wasn’t worth it. In fact, he continually said that it was absolutely worth it.

As we are called into healthcare, and we live out our purpose, we eventually see how difficult it can be. Whether you are a nurse, an xray tech, a phlebotomist, a physician, or a radiation therapist, healthcare is a challenging calling. The long hours, the aching feet and backs, the traumatic experiences, the arguments with coworkers, the loneliness, and all the tears in the bathroom. It can hurt physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But, I can honestly say, it’s been completely worth it.

God had His hand in all of my decisions regarding my career because He knew before I was born what I would spend my life doing. I have undoubtedly given it my all. It’s been tough, but doing God’s will can be.

I invite you to look back at your story. How did you get here? Can you see that God was there with you every step of the way? Can you see where He guided you to live out your purpose? When things get difficult, remember those amazing moments that you have felt Him with you. Let Him encourage and support you through those challenging times. He created you to live fully in your amazing purpose, and it’s such a beautiful thing.