Her Story: Jennifer Colunga
her |hər| pronoun used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a female person previously mentioned or easily identified: God’s power was evident through her story.
Name: Jennifer Colunga
Occupation: Deputy Clerk for the U.S. Courts
Instagram: @jennifercolunga
1. How are you pursuing your God-given purpose and destiny? And what is one thing you would say to encourage someone trying to pursue their God-given purpose today?
I surrendered my life to Him and I am allowing Him to lead me.
Throughout my academic career, I didn’t know what I wanted to pursue or do career wise. What I did know was that I wanted to do something “meaningful.” I wanted to make my parents proud and break our cultural cycle of “settling.” I strived to be a statistic breaker of every statistic that came with being a first-generation Latina.
In middle school, I had teachers tell me several times that people like me were a tax-burden, that people like me wouldn’t go to college, and that girls like me only got pregnant at sixteen and dropped out of school. While others may have dwelled on these statements, I chose to use them as statements of encouragement to persevere and show others what I was capable of. I was the first in my family to graduate from college and from a graduate program with honors.
God led me into the legal field, where I worked and served attorneys for 6 years. Throughout those 6 years, I learned and mastered some of my God-given talents and skills, such as service, organization, writing, and leadership. Although, I loved what I did as a paralegal I still felt like what I was doing wasn’t “meaningful” enough, like God had a greater plan for me.
Until God led me to my current place of employment. When I tell people that I work for the U.S. Courts they always ask me, “Who did you know that helped you get that job?” And literally, my response is, “God.” God gave me this job. He saw the years of hard work, loyalty, and service that I put in at my previous firms. He saw how I continued to serve, even after people mistreated me or even when the environments were toxic. After staying obedient and faithful, He blessed me with a job that I never even imagined would suit me. His plan was/is way better than anything I could imagine, He knows me better than I know myself and he is now using my God-given talents to manage and lead some of our federal courts.
My advice to women who seem “lost” or who are still discovering their God-given purpose is for you to surrender it to God, to allow Him to lead you, and to keep serving Him wherever you are. You are there for a reason, even when you don’t understand or when you can’t stand your bosses or co-workers anymore—remember you are working under God, not them. God will bless you, He sees you, He loves you, and His plan is so much better.
2. What motivates or inspires you?
My son motivates me. I constantly evaluate what is going on in my life and think about how it will affect him in the future or reflect on how I can be a better person for him. For example, I pursued a masters degree because I wanted to be an example and show him that if I could do it he can do it. I chose to become debt-free to show him that he can live a life of financial freedom without student loans, credit cards, and car debt. I choose to live a healthy lifestyle to show him the importance of cherishing the temple of the Holy Spirit. I choose to place God at the center of our life so that my son can grow up knowing the importance of having a relationship with God. Every decision I make and everything I do in my life is to honor God and to pave a way for my son to have a God-given future.
3. What books and podcasts are you currently reading and listening to that are helping you to continue growing and learning?
Currently, I am reading Without Rival by Lisa Bevere. I am also following EBF’s weekly Bible Reading Plan. I listen to personal growth/development podcasts and YouTube videos throughout the day. I have also been bingeing Tony Robbins videos on learning how to control your emotions and developing healthy habits that increase your value. I enjoy journaling as well.
4. Tell us more about your work and how you are using this to make an impact in Market Place Ministry.
I assist court executives in managing the administrative needs of the federal courts. My job title focuses on public service and community outreach. I, along with everyone else in the office, ensure that the public’s needs are being met to the highest standard. Also, I help coordinate and plan out any events for the courts.
Due to the multiple beliefs in my workplace, I restrict myself from actively speaking about God and my beliefs, simply out of respect for everyone around me who may believe in something else. I do, however, practice what I believe. I help everyone around me. I treat others just as God would want us to treat our brothers and sisters. I speak words of life and encouragement when hardships arise. I rebuke worry and anxiety during stressful times and I do my best to be the light at every meeting and event.
5. What do you love about Equipped by Faith?
Equipped by Faith has impacted my life tremendously. It has offered me a safe-place to surround myself with other women who have the same passion and love for Christ as I do, who do not judge, and who are not competing against one another. We are a group of women who uplift each other, we cheer one another on, and it excites us to witness what all God is doing with everyone at EBF. I love how EBF gives me the opportunity to learn and grow from these women—whether it be as a mother, personally, professionally, or spiritually.
Thank you for sharing your heart with us, Jennifer! Stay tuned for our next #wcw and email us at info@equippedbyfaith.com if you have someone special you would like to nominate for next month’s feature!
XO-
Equipped by Faith