We all have moments when we question ourselves. A few weeks ago, I found myself wondering if I was actually good at photography, questioning my purpose, and comparing myself to everyone else in a space that can feel crowded and competitive. Overthinking, doubt, and discouragement were hard to shake.
Photography has always been something I have loved. It is not my full-time job, but it is a creative outlet, a way to capture moments, make people happy, and share beauty. Yet for a while, it felt like it was just for me, and I struggled to see the bigger meaning behind it.
My husband and I have been going through a ten-week class at our church called Experiencing Jesus, taught by one of our pastors. This most recent week we talked about vocation, about how our daily work, hobbies, and relationships can become ways God shows His presence in the world. Our pastor explained that vocation is a way God hides Himself in ordinary life, using us as vessels to make His grace visible to others. That idea stayed with me long after class.
As I reflected on this, God spoke directly to my heart. I had underlined a verse that felt especially meaningful, 1 Peter 4:10:
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
So often, we search for how we fit into the world, trying to stand out or measure up. But that is not what we are called to do. Our calling is to use the gifts God has given us, even in small ways, to show His love and reflect His grace.
Since that moment, my perspective has shifted. Every time I pick up my camera and look through the viewfinder, I am reminded how blessed we are to witness the beauty God has created. Our work is no longer about proving ourselves or measuring up to others. It is about serving God and letting Him work through us to touch others, even in ways we may not fully see.
We all have ways we can serve others through our daily work, hobbies, or relationships. None of us are perfect, and we all have a long way to go. But when we allow God to work through us, our gifts become a way to share His grace and love with the world.
I’ve wondered how I can truly show God’s grace through my work, whether I’m photographing livestock, details, or people. I’ve realized it isn’t about perfection or trying to make every photo explicitly spiritual. Grace appears in the way we notice beauty, treat others with care, and capture moments with intention and love. Every field, every animal, every smile reminds us of God’s presence, and through them, He works through us in ways we may not always realize right away.
Whether your vocation is photography, farming, teaching, nursing, parenting, or something else entirely, it is an opportunity to serve God and reflect His grace. Purpose is not about fitting in with the world; it is about living within God’s plan and allowing Him to move through us.
If this reflection reaches even one person who needs it, then it has served its purpose. Let us use the gifts God has given us to show His love and help make heaven crowded.
