When God Calls…

Can you think of a time when you felt Jesus was calling you into something new? What would your life look like if you hadn’t listened when He called you? If you hadn’t taken that leap of faith? I know mine would be drastically different. In 2016, God challenged me in a new way. He asked me, “Do you want to stay confined to comfort or do you want to trust in my plan for your life?” Thankfully I chose the latter and took off running. I moved to California in January of 2017 to start a new chapter that I’d never imagined would be written. It was both thrilling and terrifying. I started at a new school, met new people, and began to learn more about myself than ever before. I’m not going to lie…it was difficult. Volleyball was going well but spiritually I was lonely. I struggled finding fellowship with anyone my age and felt very off the radar. I had left behind a solid community and I missed it more with each passing day those first few months. But at the same time, I learned more about my relationship with Jesus during that time than I ever have in my life. I lived alone and in that isolation I spent the majority of my time getting to know Him on a deeper level. I felt closer to the Lord than ever but I still felt like I was missing something. That is how I experienced firsthand why we were intentionally created for community. 

There is nothing sweeter in this world than having relationships where we feel seen and known. When I was at A&M, I was surrounded by an entire campus of people who loved Jesus. Once I found my faith, I never imagined being in a place where this wasn’t the case. But praise God, He sees what we need. I found community with a few women at the church I began attending. They took me under their wing and provided me with constant support and encouragement. I still craved relationships with others in the same stage as life as me, but these women brought so much wisdom and love. I am so thankful for their guidance. They urged me to continue to trust in His plan and keep searching.

During this time I had so many divine appointments that, thankfully, I showed up for. Even today, I constantly find myself in conversations with strangers that provide encouragement or teach me something about others and myself. These experiences shaped me in so many ways. Conversations with both believers and non-believers taught more about life than I ever would have known had I not left home. Slowly and surely, I crept closer and closer to the church and community that would bring me new family.

My very dear friend recommended that I check out a new church she’d heard of and it quickly became my home. So many people surrounded me that I connected with. Shortly after this discovery, some friends took me into their home and allowed me to move in with them in Huntington Beach. That’s where everything began to take off. I made friends, created relationships, and became immersed in the community. I made beach volleyball friends and connected with fellow Christians; I got a job that allowed me to pour into the children I coached. Everything began falling into place. The areas I’d needed growth and pruning to be ready for this next stage of life, began making sense. It felt like puzzle pieces finally fitting together.

My point in explaining all of this is to say that this storm will pass. The lonely clouds will be blown away. Under the rays of sunshine that shine through, you will find people who love you for who you are. My lesson from this chapter of life has been that in Christ we are never truly alone. But community will always be one of the most important aspects of our lives. Being able to connect with and love people is a priority of life in our Father’s eyes. Christ came to teach us this by His example. He sought out the outcasts and the isolated to bring them back into community. He showed us that there is always a strategic plan for each one of us. Every decision we make He will use to teach and grow us. My biggest piece of advice is when you feel God calling you to trust Him, DO IT!!! It can be terrifying (trust me I know) but when you look back on it, I 100% guarantee that you will be beyond thankful you did. 

Thanks for letting me share a little bit of my story with you! More to come soon.

Love, 

Paige Riley