What do you want to be when you grow up? When I was younger, I probably would have given you any possible combination of; Power Ranger, veterinarian, race car driver or adventurer. Now that I’m older, you may assume my answer would change to something more seasoned. But I’m here to tell you that the tone of my dreams hasn’t changed a bit.
Live for the adventure
I was raised by the perfect balance of logic and whimsy. In both instances, being taught to dream big and then step out of the boat. There is little to no practicality in living life chasing White Rabbits and Cheshire Cats, but there was a passion instilled in me that I have not, and hope to never, shake off. I have been blessed to have known a life with unending support of my career path, my err towards the fantastical and my deep desire to question everything.
My adventure started with the first book that was handed to me by my mom, and piano lessons that my dad signed me up for. A deep-rooted appreciation for creativity was stirred in me, on that I definitely didn’t have any reasonable direction for. We did the most logical thing at the time and opted for a BSc Biological Sciences, which I hated tooth and nail. I entered the workforce and decided to switch it up with a marketing degree and a journalism certification. Do I sound crazy yet?
Childlike wonder
My life, my deepest desires, have always been towards the wonder of the Creator, being His chosen people and the magnificence of who He is. It’s taken me many years to find a way to combine my desire for creativity, to serve Him and find a way to have a plausible career. The reality is that most people don’t understand childlike wonder. Often times I wonder if there’s a purpose for my aptitude being paired with a desire to chase lions in wardrobes.
As cliché as it may sound, I have opted to live a lift clinging to the hope that there is a purpose. I have chosen to pursue a career in content creation, merging perfectly my desire for rationale and creativity. I have chosen to live my life on Esther chapter 4, verse 14. It’s a resounding reminder that no matter what life may throw my way, no matter what turmoil and irrational situation I find myself in, there is a purpose to my timing in the world.
Who am I?
My present is wrapped with grief after the sudden loss of my mom, relocating away from my family, dealing with health complications of my own and trying to find my feet in a new place. I’ve seen cities and travelled the world but home is truly where my heart is. I know the peace of God in the strangest moments and stayed a float when I can only tell you He has kept me above water.
I started a lifestyle blog, Selah Blogger, to turn my passion to serve the Creator and let people know they are loved and valued. C.S Lewis was right in saying that “you can make anything by writing.” So, here I am writing and trying to make something. I am an introvert, a dreamer, a Christ-follower. I am a blogger, a reader, a writer. I am strong because there is a tribe around me supporting my ups and my downs wrapping me in prayers when I could not find the words to pray.
I dream of being Alice and following rabbits through holes. I dream of trekking across fields with rings and dwarves at my heels. I dream of being Lucy and falling through a wardrobe to meet a lion we now know by another name.
I see the world in all the wonder of creation. I want to experience cultures and see places people have never dreamed of. I want my voice to be a sound that reminds people that they are loved, chosen and never alone. My life is an amalgamation of different eras and different stories, tales and moments that are best left for another time, but in every moment, I’m chasing whatever God’s purpose is for my life in every fantastical way possible.
Hailing from South Africa, Crystelda is an avid nerd and an unapologetic dreamer. With a BSc. Biological Sciences and BCom Hons in marketing, she has launched the Christian lifestyle blog - Selah Blogger and is the joint winner of the 2019 International Theology Award. The blog can be found at https://selahblogger.wordpress.com/ and her previous articles may be viewed at https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/crystelda-naidoo.html