In my mid-twenties, I’ve dedicated the past decade to discovering my career path. From finishing high school to graduating college and landing my first job, I often found myself sharing my passion for what I believed was my true calling: becoming an elementary school teacher. Since preschool, I envisioned my future classroom, how I would engage students, and the impact I would have on their lives.
After earning my bachelor’s degree, I was thrilled to accept a position as a third-grade teacher. However, after only three years, I realized this career was not sustainable. I faced many tearful moments as I prayed, struggling to accept that my lifelong dream was now a source of stress and exhaustion. Last year marked the end of my teaching journey.
During this transition, I came to understand that I had mistakenly tied my identity to my profession. Leaving teaching felt like a profound loss, as I had built my life around it. I began to reflect on how often we place undue pressure on ourselves regarding our jobs. Scripture reminds us of our true calling: to love God and others. Micah 6:8 emphasizes the importance of doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God.
Ultimately, our work is about glorifying God rather than building our resumes. Whether we are teachers, lawyers, or custodians, we can shine His light in every role. Understanding this perspective made my job search easier. Now, I spend my workdays handling Excel spreadsheets and data entry. While it may seem mundane, I focus on being the best employee I can be, honoring God, and showing kindness to everyone around me. That, I realize, is my true calling.
– Bayley Huntley
Christ Fellowship