Even before heading to college, I was extremely determined that I would be a teacher. I mean, that is what I have wanted to do for much of my life. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” Trusting God with my future is a big deal, but it is a chance that I am more than willing to take.
This past summer, I felt that God was telling me that education is no longer going to be my career of choice. Teaching is what I have wanted for so long and during the spring semester of my junior year in high school, I had finally convinced my parents that being an educator was what I was meant to be Before that semester, they would ask me questions telling me that because I was always so quiet and did not really talk, they did not think it was a right match for me. I kept pushing back and would say “No. This is my route.”
And then it happened. Earlier this summer, I was heading home with my dad from work and he asked about my future. I was finally able to shut myself out and let God take over. I told my dad that I was unsure about what I wanted to do. Needless to say, he was pretty excited about my change of heart. It was not that he was excited about me not teaching, but more that I was actually considering something different, and thinking through my options and not just being stubborn.
Here’s a little bit of the background on me: For the last eight or nine years, I have worked in my church’s children’s ministry as a volunteer. I loved knowing that I would be making a difference in a new generation, even if they were too young to understand much at the moment. There is just something amazing about showing the love of Christ to anyone, but especially to those children and the parents who drop them off in our classrooms. This is my passion, and what I feel God has placed on my heart as a purpose for my life.
As I prayed and searched for direction and wisdom regarding my future, I first thought that maybe I would pursue a degree in children’s ministry. However, I was told that I did not necessarily need a ministry degree to become a children’s director, so I started looking at other degrees that would allow me to work with kids. Through the encouragement of some amazing advisors, I have decided to pursue a double major in Psychology and Christian Studies, with a concentration in Educational Ministry. These courses will allow me to grow not only in education and ministry circles, but also develop and learn more about people, relationships and communication. This career path could point the way to so many areas of service: churches, schools, and maybe even counseling. God is opening up my mind to ideas on how I can help people of all ages around me, but in ways that I would never have imagined!
So what does all of this mean? Here is my two cents’ worth: Like me, you may “know” what you want to do with your life even before college. It’s great to have a vision for your future. However, once you get to school and you begin wondering if what you wanted to do is what you are meant to do, pray. Maybe, just maybe, God has a better plan for you than you could ever have dreamed. Let Him guide you; after all, He knows you best!
