Reflections on faith, calling, and a daughter’s divine gift
The highway stretches before us, ribboning through Tennessee hills toward Nashville—a city of dreams, music, and divine appointments. In the passenger seat, my daughter Jarah hums softly, her voice carrying that unmistakable quality that first caught our attention when she was just five years old. This weekend represents more than a college visit; it’s a pilgrimage toward purpose, a family stepping deeper into God’s unfolding plan.
The Whisper That Became a Song
Eleven years ago, my wife and I found ourselves at a crossroads familiar to many parents: Was this gift we witnessed in our daughter genuine, or were we simply loving parents seeing through rose-colored glasses? Jarah’s voice carried something beyond technique—a resonance that seemed to touch the very air around her. We had a choice: dismiss it as parental bias or step out in faith.
Faith, I’ve learned, often requires us to invest in what we cannot yet fully see. We chose to nurture what we believed God had placed within our daughter, understanding that stewardship of gifts demands both courage and commitment. The years that followed became a testament to divine confirmation—not through our validation, but through countless moments when God affirmed our decision to trust His vision over our uncertainty.
Belmont: Where Vision Meets Vocation
As we approach Nashville, I’m struck by how perfectly God orchestrates the details of our lives. Belmont University represents more than an educational institution for our family; it embodies the intersection of calling and preparation. The commercial music program, the campus size, the location—each element aligns with what we’ve prayed for and envisioned for Jarah’s growth.
More significantly, Belmont’s Christian foundation offers something invaluable in today’s educational landscape: an environment where faith and learning coexist, where values align with vision. College represents one of life’s most substantial investments—not merely financial, but spiritual and emotional. We refuse to undermine eighteen years of intentional parenting by placing our daughter in an environment that contradicts the very values we’ve sought to instill.
This Vocal Arts Intensive Camp will give Jarah a taste of her potential future, but more importantly, it will help her discern whether this path truly represents God’s calling on her life. Sometimes the most profound confirmations come through immersion in our possibilities.
Understanding the Sacred Nature of Calling
When we speak of being “called by God,” we often encounter misconceptions that limit our understanding of divine purpose. Many people immediately envision missionaries in remote villages or pastors behind pulpits, as if God’s calling were reserved for a select few in traditional ministry roles. This narrow perspective misses the beautiful truth that every human being carries a divine calling.
God’s call on your life is His vision for your life—a stretch dream so expansive that it demands more than human capability alone. It requires the beautiful surrender of our will to His, the daily choice to lean into His power rather than our own limitations. While your calling will certainly influence your vocation, it transcends any job description or career path. Your profession becomes the laboratory where God refines your talents and shapes your character to accomplish His greater purposes.
Key insights about divine calling:
- Every person is called to know, love, and share God’s love
- Our talents are tools for honoring and serving Him
- The only question is whether we’ll answer His call
- Success comes when we align with His vision for our lives
The Sacred Discipline of Listening
To hear God’s call clearly, we must cultivate the lost art of stillness. In our hyperconnected, constantly moving world, divine whispers often get drowned out by the noise of endless activity. Jesus modeled this perfectly, regularly withdrawing to lonely places for prayer and communion with the Father. Luke 5:16 reminds us that even the Son of God prioritized solitude with God above the demands of ministry.
Practical steps for hearing God’s call:
- Morning reflection and spiritual centering – Begin each day in conversation with God
- Consistent Bible study – Allow His Word to shape your understanding
- Intentional solitude – Create space for God to speak without distraction
- Prayerful observation – Watch for His confirmation in circumstances and relationships
This weekend with Jarah represents one of those divine appointments where listening becomes crucial. As she experiences life at Belmont, I’m praying for God’s clarity both for her and for us as her parents. The calling He’s placed on her life will become clearer through this process of exploration and confirmation.
The Promise of Divine Blessing
When we align our lives with God’s calling, we step into a profound promise: God always blesses the vision He gives His people. This doesn’t guarantee an easy path, but it assures us of His presence, provision, and power throughout the journey. Success in God’s economy isn’t measured by worldly standards but by faithfulness to His purposes.
As I watch Jarah prepare for this week at Belmont, I’m reminded that our role as parents is to steward the gifts God has entrusted to our care. We plant seeds of faith, provide opportunities for growth, and trust God for the harvest. The investment we’ve made in her musical education represents our partnership with God in developing her potential.
The Road Ahead
The highway to Nashville is more than a physical journey; it’s a metaphor for the path of faith we all must walk. Sometimes the destination is clear, other times we see only the next mile. But in both seasons, we’re called to trust the One who sees the entire route.
This weekend will provide valuable insights about Jarah’s future, but the greater lesson is about walking in faith, one step at a time. Whether her path leads to Nashville permanently or takes unexpected turns, the principle remains constant: when we surrender our dreams to God’s vision, He transforms both our capabilities and our destinations.
As parents, we’re learning that releasing our children to pursue God’s calling requires its own form of faith. We must trust that the same God who gave them their gifts will guide them in using those gifts for His glory.
The road to Nashville stretches before us, but the journey toward God’s purposes for our lives extends far beyond any single destination. In the miles ahead, we’ll discover more about Jarah’s calling, but we’ll also learn deeper truths about trust, surrender, and the beautiful way God weaves our individual stories into His greater narrative.
The most significant impact we can have often comes from the smallest moments of obedience to God’s leading. This weekend represents one such moment—a family saying yes to His call, one mile at a time.
MindWolves 
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