Finding My Way

     I’m currently a college student pursuing my Bachelor’s degree. Long before I attended college I thought I knew what it was that I wanted to do with my life. Growing up, I worked with my dad with his logging business. While that wasn't exactly what I wanted to do, I did know that I wanted a career that involved working outdoors and with my hands. My father had a big influence on me wanting to pursue this type of career. That’s why I decided upon construction management as my first college major.

  After graduating high school I joined the Air Force, and during this time I began taking college courses. As I began to take more and more courses I began to have a change of heart over time. I constantly thought of changing my major. I wasn’t sure what else that I would do though. I felt that an office job just wasn't for me. One of my biggest desires has always been to help others. In school I always help others with difficult assignments and I just like to show empathy for others who are having a bad time. I thought about teaching and I discussed this with one of my old high school teachers, but I never changed my major. I continued to pursue my construction degree until I was released from active duty. After my discharge, I changed my major to nursing. I know that this job would allow me to help others and I’d also get paid well from it. So I started taking classes in this major, and as I got ready to attend nursing school I was put on the wait list. This along with other things made me begin to think that this wasn’t what I should do. My sister would often tell me about her experience as a nurse and I felt uncomfortable with it. Dealing with patients who have terminal illnesses and seeing people in pain that they may not recover from is something that I don’t want to face. So I changed my major back to construction. I still wasn’t content with this decision. For over a year, I prayed on whether I should do teaching or psychology. This was a hard decision in that I only had one year left to graduate with a bachelor’s in construction, but if I changed majors I’d have at least two. But I prayed about it and the answer that I received was to follow my heart.
The main reason that I was so unsure of teaching is because of the salary. But I was constantly reminded that life isn’t all about money. I think about my legacy and I want it to be one that is greatly admired. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”. We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we need on earth, he will always supply. Whatever we need in heaven he will supply. We must remember, however the difference between our wants and our needs. Most people want to live with lots of material things. We often tie money to success. We may not get all that we want. By trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting his provision and power to live for him. What gives me the desire to teach is to be able to help shape and mold a young impressionable mind. I had some great elementary teachers who had a great impact on my life and I want to have that same impact on someone else. I receive great happiness when someone who I’ve spoken to can come to me later and tell me that my advice really helped. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”.

     My time in the military was a blessing in so many ways. Growing up with a father who was present in my life is also another thing that I’m thankful for. I met so many guys who couldn’t do simple things like check oil in a car or change a tire. Not all young males are fortunate enough to have someone to teach them these things. This is what inspired me to be a teacher. A teacher does so much more than provide academic education. A teacher must be a counselor, teach morals and ethics, provide a spiritual influence, and be an extension of he child’s parents, providing love and care to them. So when that young man needs help in tying a tie, treating others with respect, or how to work hard, I can be the example that he needs.

     When you find God’s purpose for your life it will feel natural. When you discover who you were designed to be and live in it, you feel free. When this happens, the money you need to live finds you. Align your desires with your natural gift. God has given seven natural gifts to man. They are: preaching, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, and showing mercy (Romans 12:6-8). Determine your gift by understanding the effect it has in someone’s life. Different gifts cause different effects in people. By identifying with effect brings you the most joy, you can understand your gift. When you identify your own gifts, ask how you can use them to build up God’s family.