Tyler Brandt

Seems like we’ve all had that moment, the moment that comes after high school graduation and you wonder…what’s next? Everyone is asking you what’s your plan? Are you going to college? What are you going to do with your life? And you try to give them your best answer, but deep down inside you just aren’t sure who you are supposed to be. People begin to tell you what they think you should be and in that moment, it can seem like everyone has a plan for your life except you.

Like most of us, this is what happened to me. I graduated high school in 2015 and needless to say I was excited for the next chapter in my life. But I had a lot of uncertainty as well. For me, I’ve always wanted to become what the Lord wanted me to become. That’s just who I am. It’s never been about making a lot of money or having a bunch of fancy stuff. Mostly because I know that a life with the Lord is going to bring me more purpose and joy then money could ever buy me.

So my plan after high school was to go to college for physical therapy with the hopes of eventually opening my own clinic. Now, I wasn’t led by God toward this decision. They told me to choose a path so I did. It was simply something I could see myself doing. In reality though, it is hard to make a decision on what you want to do with the rest of your life when you’re only 18 years old. I think when God figured out my plans, He laughed a little bit because God had way bigger plans in mind. God has been preparing me and equipping me for what He wants me to do for quite some time.

I’ve been so blessed with parents that love the Lord and have raised me in that love. I’ve had the privilege of going to a private Christian school from K-12. I’ve been in church my whole life and have actually been through the KidzWorld ministry where I now work. I have been so incredibly blessed to grow up the way I have and don’t take this blessing for granted. Before I worked at KidzWorld, I volunteered there for 5 years. On my first day of volunteering in KidzWorld, I had no idea what it would become. To be honest, it was just something to do while my parents were busy. It quickly became something so much more. I remember the first time I ever took a small group and how nervous I was leading those kids. I remember the first time they asked me to go camp as a leader and take care of 10 kids for four days. I remember the first time they asked me to be a part of praise team and help lead the kids in worship. I remember the first time they asked me to help on stage as a comic host. I remember the first time they asked me to tell the Bible story. All of these things, though nerve racking, have helped make me the man that I am now. It’s true when they say you grow the most when you’re uncomfortable. Not only was God using those things for His plan, but even things like my personality and the different skills that the Lord has given me. The Lord built me from the inside out for His plan. All of these things have been pointing me in the direction that the Lord was taking me. Now that I look back on my life and the experiences that I have encountered, it seems so clear. There wasn’t a day that went by that God wasn’t building me for my part in His plan.

If you are uncertain on who you are supposed to be, I want to encourage you today. I believe that if you follow the Lord and truly want what He wants for your life, He is going to get you where He wants you to be. My life has changed so much in a year. I had no idea that God would one day use me to affect hundreds of kids in a positive way. A verse that really helped me when I was uncertain about who I was supposed to be was Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Every day, I get to see a little bit more of God’s plan for my life. And If God can use me, He can use you too.