“To create something really good, you have to be willing to be misunderstood.”
For Kayla Andersen, a Moody Bible Institute Communications graduate and freelance writer, this is a motto she repeats often. Kayla recognizes that creativity requires faithfulness to the Lord and His plan, vulnerability in sharing your work to the eyes and ears of others, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.
Kayla Andersen
Kayla knew from an early age that her talent for writing and public speaking was a gift from the Lord worth pursuing. She has been listening to Moody Radio since her childhood; the impact of this led her to invest in her education at Moody. Kayla believes that her time at Moody was foundational for her both personally and professionally.
In an interview, Kayla states that her theological training gave her the confidence to study Scripture independently and to communicate her studies thoughtfully through her writing. Kayla also shares how “a lot of the discussions within the communications department about how to approach putting my work online in a way that is incarnational has been really valuable.” This highlights how her creative training helped prepare her to communicate her ideas thoughtfully and faithfully.
Today, Kayla uses her writing and storytelling skills to serve nonprofits and ministries.
But she acknowledges that building a career can be difficult. Turning her gifts into a career has taught her that vocation doesn’t always look how we hope or expect.
Kayla encourages students to explore the idea that one’s professional identity does not have to depend on the job they are working, and that their creative gifts may not always be their job description, but that doesn’t mean those gifts cease to be part of their vocation. God-given gifts can and will be used to glorify Him even if they’re not the center of one’s professional role.
Kayla encourages students to “have the courage to be bad at something” reminding them that growth begins with a willingness to try and to be vulnerable enough to let others see your efforts.
“Have the courage to be bad at something”
For aspiring communicators and storytellers, that means continuing to pursue the passions and gifts the Lord has given them even when the future is unclear. Developing these gifts is not a race to find the perfect job or career, but a continuous journey of discovering how God can use them.
Kayla also empowers students to make the most of the resources available to them, from professors and peers to student groups on campus. The creative journey may not always reveal where the Lord is guiding, but students can continue to faithfully invest in Him while allowing room for themselves to grow.
Want to connect with Kayla? Find her on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/takeitfromkayla/