Reflecting on Divine Guidance: Julie Chen Moonves Recounts How God Shaped Her Journey
By Movieguide® Contributor
Julie Chen Moonves, despite her upbringing without faith, now recognizes pivotal moments where divine intervention influenced her life before she embraced her beliefs.
Growing up as the child of Chinese immigrants with two academically accomplished older sisters, Moonves faced rejection early on. Reflecting on her high school experience, she shared, “My two older sisters are very smart. They went to this very impressive high school called the Bronx High School of Science. You have to take like an SAT-type test to get in.” Moonves candidly revealed, “I did not get in, and I took the tests twice, and now, I look back, and it was like Jesus was saying, ‘No, you’re actually going to go to St. Francis Prep.’” She acknowledged that attending a Catholic high school instead of following her sisters’ path was a pivotal redirection orchestrated by a higher power.
Despite being surrounded by Christian influences at St. Francis Prep, Moonves initially resisted God’s calling in her life. She acknowledged the subtle signs and connections that were nudging her towards faith, such as forming enduring friendships with fellow believers. Moonves admitted, “It was like He was coming at me from all angles, but I wasn’t listening.”
Moonves also recognized God’s hand in shaping her career trajectory. Inspired by an Asian news anchor on television, she felt a divine prompting towards a career in broadcasting. However, her initial intention was to pursue the sciences in college. It was a twist of fate, not getting into her preferred schools, that steered her towards her destined path as a news anchor.
Embracing the theme of rejection throughout her life, Moonves viewed each setback as a stepping stone towards fulfilling God’s predetermined plan for her. She emphasized the transformative power of rejection, stating, “All that rejection is also character-building, it allowed [me] to figure out what [I] wanted to do. To become stronger.” Moonves highlighted the significance of resilience and the invaluable lessons learned through life’s challenges.
Following her departure from THE TALK, Moonves found solace and strength in her faith. Recalling a poignant moment of seeking divine guidance, she shared, “That email prompted me to go to church that morning; it was a Thursday morning, and I dropped my son off at school that morning and I drove straight to one of the three churches not far from my house.” This pivotal moment marked a turning point in Moonves’ spiritual journey, leading her to rely on God’s guidance during times of uncertainty and adversity.
Moonves emphasized the transformative power of faith and surrendering to God’s plan, stating, “None of us are in control of anything. That’s why we say, ‘Let go and let God.’ Trust me, His plan is going to be so much better, and you’re going to end up getting there.” She encouraged embracing faith and hope as pathways to navigating life’s challenges with grace and resilience.
Using her platform to share her faith journey, Moonves remains steadfast in her commitment to pointing others towards Christ. She reflected on the blessings and opportunities God has bestowed upon her, underscoring the importance of utilizing these gifts to inspire and uplift others.