Chadwick Boseman
Mujahid Hussainによるladdies and gentleman, everyone.
It’s an honor to be standing here today. I don’t know your story. I don’t know the path that brought you here. But I do know this: you are not here by accident. You didn’t just happen to show up at this moment in time. There’s a reason. There’s a design. There’s a divine appointment on your life.
Before you were born—before your name was ever spoken, before your eyes ever opened to the light—there was already a reason for your existence. You are not the result of random circumstances or a series of biological coincidences. You were created with intention, shaped by divine design, and placed into this world for a purpose only you can fulfill. That purpose may not always be clear. It may not be written out in perfect clarity, but it is real, and it is alive within you.
Many people walk through life unsure of where they’re going, unsure of who they are meant to become. And that uncertainty can feel overwhelming. It can make you question whether there is any meaning at all. But I want you to understand something deeper: your purpose was not something that came after your birth. It preceded it. It was woven into your DNA. It was planted in your spirit before your first breath. This isn’t just spiritual poetry—it’s a truth that gives strength when nothing else seems to make sense.
There will be moments in life when things don’t add up, when the puzzle pieces feel scattered. In those moments, it’s easy to believe that maybe you were left out of the plan, that maybe some people were chosen for greatness, and you were simply... not. But that is a lie, and it’s one that far too many of us believe. The truth is, if you’re still breathing, your purpose is still unfolding. Even if you’ve taken detours, even if you’ve made mistakes or feel like you’ve missed your chance—your purpose doesn’t expire. It adjusts, it expands, it evolves, but it never disappears.
Think of it like a seed planted in the ground. When you look at a seed, it doesn’t look like much. It’s small. It’s buried. It’s hidden. But inside it is the full potential of a tree. That seed has everything it needs to grow—roots, branches, fruit, shade. But it needs time. It needs the right conditions. It needs seasons. And most of all, it needs to trust the process of transformation.
In the same way, what’s inside you has been there from the beginning. You may not see the full picture yet. Others may not recognize it either. But purpose doesn’t need a stage to be real. It just needs your faith. Your willingness to believe that there is something greater guiding your steps.
Let me tell you a short story to make this real.
There was a young woman who loved drawing as a child. She would sketch in the margins of her school notebooks, on scraps of paper, even in the dirt outside her house. But life wasn’t easy. Her family struggled, and art didn’t seem like a path that could lead anywhere. So she buried it. She got a job in an office, did what was expected, and went on with life. Years passed. But that desire to create never left her. One day, during her lunch break, she pulled out a pencil and started drawing again—just a small sketch of the city skyline from her window.
A colleague walked by, noticed it, and asked if she could create a piece for his child’s birthday. One sketch turned into ten. Ten turned into fifty. Eventually, she opened her own art studio. Today, her work is featured in galleries around the country.
She didn’t suddenly discover her purpose. It was there all along—waiting, sleeping, planted. The world may have tried to bury it, but the seed never stopped being a tree.
And neither will yours.
So hold on to this truth: you were created with intention. Even if you don’t see it yet, even if you’re still in the soil, trust that something beautiful is growing. The plan didn’t start when you succeeded. It started when you were born. And it will carry you forward, one step at a time.
Life is rarely the smooth journey we often hope it to be. We expect clear roads, easy paths, and immediate rewards for our efforts. But the truth is, the journey you’re on will have struggles. And those struggles are not just random obstacles or punishments. They have meaning. They are part of the process that shapes you, prepares you, and ultimately moves you closer to your purpose.
When you face hardship—whether it’s rejection, failure, loss, or pain—it can feel like the world is working against you. It’s easy to ask, “Why me?” or to feel like giving up. You might wonder if the difficulties mean you’re on the wrong path or that you are not meant to succeed. But these moments of struggle are often the very times when you’re being refined, just like gold is purified by fire.
Struggle stretches you. It forces you to look deeper, to grow stronger, and to find resilience you didn’t know you had. It strips away distractions and false hopes, revealing your true character and clarifying your real goals. Without struggle, there is often no growth. Without challenge, no real breakthrough.
Sometimes the struggle isn’t just part of your own story—it’s part of a larger plan. It may redirect you, teach you lessons, or prepare you to serve others in ways you hadn’t imagined. What seems like a setback may actually be a detour to a better place. What seems like failure may be the foundation for future success.
It’s important to remember that no great achievement comes without difficulty. Every inspiring story you’ve ever heard involves trials—moments when the hero almost gave up, when the path seemed impossible, when the weight felt unbearable. But they kept going. They fought through the struggle because they understood that pain and difficulty are temporary, but giving up is permanent.
Here’s an example that brings this to life:
A young man dreamed of becoming a professional athlete. He trained hard every day, dedicating himself to the sport with passion and discipline. But during an important tryout, he suffered an injury that ended his chances of playing professionally. For a time, he was devastated. It felt like his whole world had collapsed.
But rather than giving up, he used the injury as a turning point. He shifted his focus to coaching young athletes, sharing his knowledge and passion with others. Through his struggles and change of direction, he discovered a new calling—one that allowed him to impact many lives in a way he never imagined.
His journey wasn’t the one he originally planned, but through struggle, he found a meaningful path that served a greater purpose.
The truth is, your struggles aren’t just obstacles to block you—they’re stepping stones to your growth. They are reminders that you are alive, learning, and evolving. When the journey gets tough, don’t despair. Look for the lesson. Look for the new direction. Look for the strength you’re building.
Remember, struggle doesn’t mean failure. It means you’re moving through a process that’s shaping you into the person you are meant to be. And one day, when you look back, you’ll see that every hardship was a part of the story that led you to where you were always meant to go.
Sometimes in life, when you’re waiting for something important—a breakthrough, an opportunity, or a dream to come true—it can feel like the wait will never end. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. In those moments, it’s easy to lose hope. You might think that just because something hasn’t happened yet, it never will. You might even start believing that you’ve been denied what you’ve been hoping for. But delay is not denial. This is a powerful truth that can change how you face waiting.
Delay means that the timing isn’t right yet. It doesn’t mean the door is closed forever. Sometimes, what you desire is still being prepared, still being arranged behind the scenes in ways you cannot see. Life is not about rushing to the finish line; it’s about trusting the process and understanding that timing is everything.
There is a deeper wisdom in waiting. Patience is not just about enduring; it’s about trusting that the wait has a purpose. Maybe you need more time to grow stronger. Maybe the right people need to enter your life. Maybe circumstances need to align perfectly for your success to be sustainable. Whatever the reason, delay is often God’s way of making sure that when your moment comes, you are ready.
When you look at history and see the stories of great people, you’ll notice that none of them achieved success overnight. Many experienced seasons of waiting, rejection, and disappointment. But what separated those who succeeded from those who gave up was perseverance. They understood that delay was part of the journey—not a sign of failure.
It’s also important to remember that the right opportunity is worth waiting for. Sometimes, rushing into something just because it feels urgent leads to doors closing and dreams being lost. Waiting, though difficult, can protect you from settling for less than what you deserve.
Let me share an example that illustrates this point:
There was a young woman who dreamed of becoming a published author. She poured her heart into writing a book, submitting it to publishers again and again. Each rejection letter felt like a door slamming shut. After years of waiting and disappointment, she began to doubt her dream. But instead of giving up, she continued to refine her work, taking feedback and improving her craft.
Then, one day, a small publishing house recognized her talent and offered her a contract. That book became a bestseller, touching millions of readers worldwide. Her success didn’t happen overnight—it was the result of perseverance through delay. Had she given up at the first sign of rejection, she would never have realized her dream.
This story reminds us that delay is simply a part of the journey. It doesn’t mean you are denied what you want—it means you must wait until the right moment. Trusting that delay is not denial helps you keep faith, stay patient, and keep working quietly until the time is right.
So when you feel like you’re stuck, when the door hasn’t opened, and the opportunity seems far away, remember this: God’s timing is perfect. Delay isn’t a dead end. It’s a pause, a preparation, and a promise that when the moment is right, what is meant for you cannot be taken away.
Hold on. Keep believing. Your moment is coming.
You have gifts—unique talents, skills, and abilities—that no one else in the world possesses exactly like you do. These gifts are not accidental or meaningless. They are tools placed in your hands for a purpose. They are part of the plan that is meant to be fulfilled through your life. But here’s the truth many people struggle with: having gifts is not enough. You have to use them. You have to be willing to step out, take risks, and show the world what you can do.
It’s easy to hide your talents out of fear. Fear of failure, fear of judgment, or fear that you’re not ready. You might think you have to be perfect before you share your gift, or that you need more training or more approval. But perfection is not the starting point—it’s the journey. You don’t have to wait until everything is “just right” to begin. Your willingness to start, to create, to speak, or to lead is what will unlock your potential.
When you use your gifts courageously, you not only move closer to your own purpose—you also inspire others. Your bravery becomes a light for those who are still searching for the courage to use their own gifts. You create a ripple effect that can impact countless lives.
Using your gifts with courage means embracing vulnerability. It means risking rejection or failure because you know that staying silent or hidden is a greater loss. It means trusting that what you have to offer matters, even if it doesn’t look like much at first.
There is no one else who can do what you do in the way that you do it. Your voice, your creativity, your perspective—they are needed. The world needs your contribution, no matter how small it may seem.
Here’s an example that brings this truth to life:
A young musician grew up in a small town, always playing the guitar in his room, writing songs that no one else heard. He dreamed of sharing his music but was afraid—afraid that people wouldn’t like it, afraid of being rejected. For years, he kept his talent to himself, playing only when no one was around.
One day, a friend encouraged him to perform at a local open mic night. Trembling but determined, he took the stage. His voice wasn’t perfect, and his hands shook, but he played from his heart. The audience responded with applause, and from that night, he began to play more openly. Over time, his confidence grew, and so did his reach. He eventually recorded an album and inspired many others who had been too afraid to share their own gifts.
If he had waited for the perfect moment or for perfection itself, his gift might never have touched others. But because he used his gifts with courage, his purpose began to unfold.
So don’t wait. Don’t doubt yourself. Whatever you are good at—whether it’s art, leadership, kindness, teaching, problem-solving, or simply listening—use it boldly. Your gifts are meant to be shared, not hidden away. They are part of the plan designed for you, and by using them courageously, you step into your calling and help light the way for others.
Remember, the world needs what only you can give. Start now. Start imperfectly. Start courageously. Your gifts are waiting to be unleashed.
So don’t lose heart. Don’t lose faith. God has a plan for you—a plan bigger than your fears, stronger than your setbacks, and more beautiful than you can imagine.
Keep walking. Keep trusting. Keep becoming.
Because even when you can’t see it, even when you don’t feel it, the plan is still unfolding.
And one day, you’ll look back and realize—every step, every tear, every triumph and trial—it all had a place in the story God was writing through you.
Thank you.
