For today's topic, PURPOSE, I'm thrilled to have my friend Jelise Ballon sharing lessons she's learned about life (so far).  Her transparency and insight encourage me. I hope you'll be encouraged by it too. Thanks Jelise!

“The LORD said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” – Exodus 4:11-13 NIV

I’m a planner. For as long as I can remember I have planned out my week, my month, my entire future! I’ve always been one who looks ahead, thinks about what she wants to do in her life and then plans out the steps it will take to get there.

Of course, having goals and working to accomplish them isn’t a bad thing, but my “planner personality” has at times caused me a great deal of stress or heartache as I longed to know what God was calling me to do in life so I could then take the necessary steps to make it happen.

God are you calling me to be a mother? A missionary? A corporate executive? Please, can you just give me a very clear sign so I can go and make it happen?!

Oh boy, I’m sure God has gotten a few chuckles watching this foolish girl.

But this is not how God works most of the time. He doesn’t give us an end-destination and then say “now go and make it happen.” He calls us to action right in the midst of our everyday lives and then walks with us to ensure we accomplish His purpose.

That’s what happened to Moses in Exodus 4.

Over the years, God has done this to me in many ways, often when I was least expecting it, and almost never in my timing (which is a hard pill for a “planner personality” to swallow). I have often felt like Moses, saying to God, “Not now. Not me. Please send someone else!”

But then God always whispers into my soul, “You asked what I’ve called you to do; this is it! This is the time. Now go!” And when I have obeyed, it has been so much more than I could ever have planned or executed on my own.

Jelise is an educator, writer, and speaker. She has been leading Bible and small group studies for youth and adults for over 15 years and serves as the head of Women’s Ministry at Compass Community Church in Winchester, VA. But the two roles she is most passionate about are those of wife and mother.

She has been married to her husband for 17 years and has three children, ages 14, 12, and 12. You can read more at her blog: www.neitherheightnordepth.com, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

This post is part of my "Lessons I've Learned About Life (so far)" series for the #write31days challenge. To find out more start here.