Beyond What I Imagined

Cheryl A.S. Hurley
Jun 10
3 min read

Purposeful Living Series: When God's Grace Meets Purpose

There are moments in life when you pause, take a deep breath, and simply stand in awe of what God has done. Receiving an Honorary Doctoral Degree in Humane Letters from Isaiah University is one of those moments for me. There are truly no words to fully express the humility I feel. I receive this honor with a grateful heart, recognizing that this moment is not about a title or recognition. It is about a journey of purpose, perseverance, service, and God’s faithfulness.

If I am honest, there have been seasons when I could only see the next step. Seasons of waiting. Seasons of stretching. Seasons where I wondered how God would bring certain promises to pass. Yet, time and time again, He has reminded me that our journey is not limited by what we can see.

But here is what I also know: many people see the highlight moments, yet they do not always see the journey that continues behind the scenes.

As I pause and reflect, I think about the lows, the disappointments, the rejections, the times I was misunderstood or misrepresented, the moments of being overlooked, and yes, even the character assassinations that at times left me feeling isolated.

There were moments when I wanted to throw in the towel because I was done. Yet, in those quiet moments, there remained a still, small voice that whispered, “Trust Me.”

As I write these words, tears fill my eyes because I realize that every valley, every closed door, every painful lesson, and every difficult season became an opportunity for God to do what only He could do.

Ephesians 3:20 has long been one of my anchor Scriptures: “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” That Scripture has carried me through the highs and the lows. It reminds me that what feels like a setback to us may actually be God setting the stage for something beyond what we could have imagined. The lows we experience are not the end of our story. They can become God’s opportunities to reveal His power, His purpose, and His perfect timing.

This journey has also reminded me that no one reaches their purpose alone. I am deeply grateful for my family, my sisters, mentors, friends, spiritual leaders, and every person who has prayed for me, encouraged me, challenged me, and walked alongside me. Your love has been a gift along the journey.

So, if you find yourself in a growing season, I encourage you: do not despise the process. Keep showing up. Keep trusting. Keep believing. The journey only requires one thing from us...that we trust Him.

Today, I stand humbled, grateful, and still in awe of God.

Nobody but Him.

Because the truth is, this is not just a story about receiving an honorary degree. It is a testimony of what happens when we surrender the journey to the One who has been writing the story all along.

Keep walking. Keep trusting. Keep becoming.

Because YOU Matter.