“Mommy, do you have to go to work?”

“Yes. I do.”

Her eyes filled with tears and she crossed her arms in anger, trying to contain her emotions.

“It’s not fair. This whole Coronavirus thing is going on and I don’t get to see you that much because you’re always testing people and having to quarantine and it’s just not fair! Can’t you just take some time off?” She wiped her tears on the sleeve of her shirt.

I pondered this request as I felt pieces of my heart break and crumble.

“Sweetheart, I can’t. God chose me to do this. I could run away and take a few months off but I’d also be running away from what God called me to do. If I stay home, my clinic closes. What happens to all of the patients? Who would take care of God’s people? So, as hard as it is, we are going to be strong and we are going to do what God has called us to do.”

I could see that she understood what I said, although she didn’t like it. Since that time, she has matured in her understanding of what it means to live during a pandemic and what it means to work in healthcare during a pandemic as well.

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” -Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

A man named Jonah ran away from God’s calling. He was instructed to go to Nineveh and speak God’s word but Jonah decided to go in the opposite direction. He found himself on a stormy sea and then overboard in a whale’s mouth for 3 days and 3 nights until he was spit back out.

When he finally faced his calling and went to Nineveh, he spoke God’s word and saved the people from destruction. And in the process, Jonah learned of God’s love and mercy for His people.

You don’t have to be a healthcare worker to be a “hero” during the pandemic.

My parents and sister-in-law are heroes for watching my daughter during quarantine, cleaning my house while I’m spending my days outdoors with patients, and cooking dinners a few times a week when I’m too sweaty and tired to even sit through a drive-thru.

The cashier at Publix was my hero today simply because she was at work and I desperately needed items for my upcoming work week.

My daughter is a hero for simply letting go of her own needs and putting God’s people first.

God told 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.” -Jeremiah 1:5 NLT

God knew us before we were in our mother’s womb. He knows us in present day. And he will know what we will be called to do.

We are called for God’s purpose and right now, we are called during chaos.

To all of you who are reading this, YOU are called.

If you are stuck at home with the kids, remember that you are called to be home with them. If you’re stuck at work, remember that you have been called to help God’s people.

No matter what your profession, your gift, your talent, or your circumstance, God has called you and chosen you for this exact time and place during chaos because no one else on Earth can take your anointing from God. No one else can be substituted for your purpose.

Lift your eyes to the hills. Lift your hands to the heavens. And accept your calling.

My prayer for you today is that when you get lost in chaos, you regain focus and clarity through your calling from God. I pray that when you become frustrated in your daily tasks, you regain peace through God’s promise in your life. And I pray that during this chaos, you hear your calling and run towards it with an eager heart, a ready mind, and outstretched hands. Heavenly father, open our hearts and our minds to accept your calling during chaos. Amen.

Below is a great sermon by a young man named Zachary Barnes of Triad Fellowship, here in NC, that planted a seed in my heart for this blog today. Enjoy!