Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2018

Abstract

In Jeremiah 1:5, God declares the following over Jeremiah:

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations” (NLT).

A quick Google search will likely bring up thousands of books and resources geared toward helping people find their identity. For many of us, questions regarding our calling, identity and purpose become daily rhetorical reminders of how critical it is to figure out our place in the world. In the midst of that often stressful and daunting search, we can find comfort in the words that God declared over Jeremiah. We can be reminded that, just as was the case with Jeremiah, God has set us apart and appointed us to be used by Him in any way He sees fit.

Paul says it this way in Ephesians 1:11:

“Furthermore, because we are united in Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan” (NLT).

If we commit those questions about our calling, identity and purpose to God, He will then reveal to us, in His time, the things he has in store for our lives. What an amazing assurance!

Today, I would like to introduce you to Evenny “Ev” Milliner, an Afro-Latina undergraduate senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work. Ev digs deep into her search for identity and explains how wrestling with tensions around her racial/ethnic classification, her skin complexion and her faith played a role in her search to discover who she is—a journey that continues to be a daily walk for her.

You can read more of Ev’s story in Stories of Andrews at andrews.edu/stories.

Thank you, Ev, for giving us a transparent look into your search for identity and reminding us of the assurance that we all have of ultimately finding clarity of purpose, calling and identity in Christ.

Michael Nixon

First Department

Social Work

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