Gemma's days began to change. Instead of scrolling endlessly through social media looking for relationship updates, she started reading books about medicine and health. She watched documentaries about doctors working in remote villages and hospitals. Every story filled her with a strange sense of peace and excitement.
Her friends noticed the change too.
"Gemma, what's happening to you?" her best friend Lisa asked one day. "You used to talk about boys all the time, but now you're always studying or praying."
Gemma smiled gently. "I realized there's more to life than just chasing after someone else's love. I want to find my purpose, something real and lasting. God has shown me that."
It wasn't easy. There were moments when the old temptation returned. The pressure from friends to join in dating, to attend parties, or to fit in. But each time, Gemma prayed for strength and clarity.
She joined her church's youth group and found encouragement from her pastor, who reminded them that their worth comes from God, not from anyone else.
"God's love is perfect and eternal," he preached one Sunday. "Don't settle for anything less."
With that promise in her heart, Gemma worked harder in school. Her grades improved, and her passion for science deepened. She dreamed of becoming a doctor—not just any doctor, but one who would care for the sick and the poor, showing God's love through her hands.
When the time came for university applications, Gemma prayed fervently for God's guidance. She chose to study medicine, trusting that this was the path He wanted her to follow.