Curating a Purposeful Life

By: Johanna Thompson

I graduated from Hillsdale College in 2008, went directly to pharmacy school and then multiple years of postgraduate residency until finally finishing my training in 2014. My goal was to achieve something challenging and to reach the top of my field, similar to the women in my family I respected. I sought a well-paying career that would support me as a single woman but could transition easily to part-time work when I became a wife and mother. After accomplishing my career goal and starting my first job, I had a hard time figuring out my purpose and how to use my time to live a productive life. There was no husband in sight – so how was I going to spend all my free time?  Over the last decade, I still have not been blessed with a husband or family of my own, but I have been blessed with a lot of time that I get to fill. I continually wrestle with and refine how I use my time as I seek to live a purposeful life that honors God. I have had so much fun developing hobbies that bring me great joy, renew my spirit, and build relationships, and I have found ways to serve others that use my strengths. I have learned a lot of lessons along the way that I hope will help you as you start your journey after college. 

Purpose

As I consider developing new hobbies and ways to serve, I find it necessary to identify my purpose and priorities for the current stage of life. I struggled to find my purpose after I finished training. I didn’t know where God wanted to use me and I found myself overly focused on seeking adventure in the outdoors in a misguided effort to not “waste my single years.”  And, although I did seek ways to serve others, the time I spent in those activities felt burdensome.  After a lot of trial and error, I finally intentionally sought my God-given purpose for my current stage of life.  I started to ask questions like: Where has God placed me? What are the needs around me? What gifts and talents has God given me to use? What God-given passions do I have? Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians to “do all things to the glory of God,” so I knew that regardless of how I chose to spend my time, it should be honoring to God.  Am I admiring and praising Him because of His beautiful creation? Am I showing His love through helping and serving others? Am I finding rest and peace and keeping my body and mind healthy to honor Him? 

For example, I absolutely love to ski deep, fresh powder and I spent almost a decade living in a place that made that activity very accessible. However, spending all my time and energy chasing that hobby is not glorifying to God or fulfilling His purpose for me. So, although I love to ski and do make time for it, that is not what I want to consume all my time nor how I want to be remembered someday.  When I discovered my purpose and sought ways to use my time that fit into that purpose, I was able to balance my time in a way that was more fulfilling and rewarding. 

Gifts

I get the most joy and am the most successful when I am using my gifts. Although I always had a general understanding of my skills, it took me awhile to identify some of my specific gifts and purposefully seek out ways to use those gifts in service to others. A few years into my professional life I realized I was using my free time selfishly and not finding ways to serve that were fruitful. I started asking people closest to me what they thought were my gifts and took spiritual gift tests to identify my strengths. I found that I have gifts in teaching and mentoring. My dad reminded me during one conversation that he thought working with older youth would allow me to use my gifts of teaching and mentoring and match my temperament.  Around that time, I also finished reading J.D. Vance’s book, Hillbilly Elegy, and was struck by how a person changed the outcome of his life by giving him sound advice at a crucial moment. This individual was not in his life for long, but they had an impact. This story helped me realize that I could still have a positive influence on children by using my gifts even if I wasn’t a mother.  I started to volunteer with high school youth at my church. I absolutely loved my time serving with high school kids. I looked forward to attending all the activities and I found great joy and satisfaction knowing that I was using the gifts God had given me to influence others in a positive way. Although I am currently stepping down from that ministry, I understand my gifts and how to use them moving forward as I seek new opportunities. 

Passion and Joy 

We are all created with unique passions and ways we experience joy. Identifying these areas are often easy. The Lord has given us great gifts on Earth to experience joy and help us worship Him. David tells us in Psalm 19, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” I have no trouble knowing that I find great enjoyment in the outdoors. I love to ski, hike, mountain bike and run. When I am on a peak overlooking the expanse of ridges and mountain tops, I can feel the power, immensity and beauty of God. When my feet hit the dirt, my head clears, and I find rest and peace. I will always make time for these activities in my life. They keep my body healthy and help me glorify God. I have also been able to build great friendships with people through these activities.  

I recently moved across the country which forced me to adjust the time I devote to certain hobbies. I can no longer access the mountains as easily and I needed a new hobby in the winter that would also help me build new relationships. I brainstormed activities that I had been drawn too but didn’t have time for in the past and landed on swing dancing. I have so much fun spinning around the dance floor and meeting new people. I even decided to spend a weekend at a dance camp to improve my skills. 

As life changes, there will be time to explore and develop new hobbies. No matter how the time is spent, our focus should be Christ-centered and not self-centered. What a blessing that we have time to experience great joy through God’s created things. I hope your hobbies and free time help to remind you of the amazing God we serve and to show His love and care to others. 

It will take trial and error (or trial and success!) to find ways to fill your free time that match your purpose, gifts, and passions. Those activities will change as life ebbs and flows. I have tried many things that I thought I would enjoy that ended up draining me. As you try new things you will be challenged, learn something about yourself, and meet new people, all of which encourage growth.  So, get out there and use your time well! Live your life with purpose. Refresh your body and soul and pour into others.  Enjoy God’s good gifts. Laugh, run, ponder, and play. 

Johanna Thompson | ‘08

Johanna grew up in Washington and studied chemistry while at Hillsdale and went on to earn her PharmD from the University of Washington School of Pharmacy. 

In her spare time, she often enjoys the outdoors – skiing, mountain biking, hiking, or running. She enjoys trying new things and has recently branched out into pickleball and swing dancing. She also enjoys spending time with her family members, and roughhousing with her nieces and nephews whenever possible. 

Email: johanna.thompson23@gmail.com