One Step Closer… by Kayla

One Step Closer… by Kayla - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

Experiences are those that provide one with multiple opportunities to learn from their success and failures. In my life thus far, the experiences I have had, have given me opportunities to grow and learn. I believe that all the experiences one has are important, and are needed to create them into who they are and will be. The most prominent experiences that led me to choosing my major of Bible and Theology are, being raised in a christian home, softball, and my ideals behind working.
To start at the beginning, I am honored to have been raised in christian home, with loving parents, who have given more than I could have known to my life. To continue, I have known of Jesus my whole life, and truly accepted Him into my heart in April of 2019. Before, during, and after, I have had many trials that have caused me to wonder what to do with my life. But one thing that has become more clear over the years is knowing that I want to pursue something that has Jesus. By pursuing a major in Bible and Theology, I am doing just that, using my past, present, and future experiences combined with the knowledge of Jesus that I will gain. To ultimately lead me on a path of success, with Christ being the main focus. I truly believe that being raised in an environment with Jesus as the main focus is how I came to finding this major, and wanting to pursue it through my life.
Continuing on to another part of my life that helped me sort through the many different types of majors there are is softball. I love this game, and have been playing since I was 5. I currently play on a competitive travel team that has helped me become a better player to have the ability to play at the next level. That being said, I am committed to play at Ohio Christian University. I plan to play there while getting my education, which will ultimately take me one step closer to reaching my dreams. Ever since I was little I knew I wanted to play softball for as long as I could. Eventually turned into hoping to play at the highest level that I can, (hopefully for Team USA), and sharing my faith with others. In doing this it would incorporate both my major and love for softball. Although, I would be nowhere without the experiences I have had throughout the years with this sport. At the beginning it was not promising, but I loved the game enough to persevere through it. I worked hard to conquer the failures, and then celebrated the successes. To have the ability to play in college is a blessing, and shows the dedication, plus learning, I have done in the past, helping solidify my concerns of sticking with a major that is not common. My dream of playing at the highest level, led me to where I am and ultimately my chosen major. This major allows me the time to continue playing softball while having the education to use in a job where I share my faith. It will also help me to be a better role model and person, incorporated by the background knowledge to accurately share my faith with others.
The last thing that led me to choosing my major was my ideals behind working. I firmly believe that it is in everyone's best interest to go into, or work in a field that one is passionate about. One will put forth more effort towards their job, plus enjoy the work they are doing if it incorporates their interests. For me I have always known that I wanted to do a job that made me happy, that I could go to work every day without feeling miserable. I decided that if I am going to spend a majority of my life doing a job, I want to make sure that I can stick it out, and know that it is something that I can enjoy. I have seen many people live a miserable life that is due to a job that hides their passions and interests. Following along to when they do have success, the feeling of celebration is hidden under the tired, burnt out person. I believe the more one enjoys the work they do, the more one will see the success, benefits, and desire to do, and continue to work at their job. For me this is what led me to really analyzing, and finding what I wanted to do, while choosing wisely. I believe the Biblical field will be something enjoyable that I can do as well as incorporate a multitude of my favorite things to ultimately let me live a life with enjoyment rather than disgust.
In conclusion, I have had many experiences that led me to my chosen major of Bible and Theology. Then within these experiences, have come the main avenues which guided me through this decision, consisting of, being raised in a christian home, softball, and my ideals behind working. In turn a Bible and Theology major puts me on a path of success, where I can be both a positive influence on society, and enjoying the life that God has planned for me.