My entire life, I have desired to be a teacher. As long as I can remember, I was playing teacher with my brothers, my friends and my dolls when I couldn't find a living being. I was destined to be a teacher. When I was 15, I got a job at the Boys and Girls Club working full-time in the summers and part-time during the school year. My senior year of high school, I took a class that allowed me to have an internship in a classroom with four and five year olds. It was perfect, right up my alley! After graduating high school, my plan was to go to a university and major in Elementary Education. Teaching kindergarten was my dream.
In 2008, God told me that one day I would work in ministry. I couldn't believe this. My life was not fit to work in ministry. I was not living the most Christ-like life. As nervous as I was about this call, I just as much laughed it off and assumed that God got something wrong.
Early in 2009, I began serving in children's ministry. If God had called me to work in ministry, I might as well start somewhere. Passion and leadership was seen in me from various staff members of the church. Increased responsibility happened quickly!
A few years after I first felt God call me to ministry, I was two classes away from graduating with my Associates in Early Childhood Education. God had been pressing on me to change my major. I continually felt as if I was making the wrong decision. But, teaching was all that I knew. God couldn't possibly use me in any other way. After a series of events that only could have been orchestrated by God, I was dropped from these two classes and would have only been able to re-enroll next semester.
Okay, I get it God... You are preparing me for ministry...
I took a year and a half off of school, waiting for God to tell me what was next. What school? What degree program? What career path? I diligently worked in a preschool for this time, waiting for God to guide my next steps. I used this time waiting to research schools, research programs, research career paths... but God kept telling me not yet.
In the midst of this waiting, God kept reminding me that I was called to work in ministry. Three times, staff members at my church approached me about applying in children's ministry and student ministry. I applied three times. Sadly, the timing wasn't right. I wasn't even considered, even after given a high recommendation from staff.
When I finally heard from God, there was no denying it. I began attending Liberty University Online, majoring in Religion almost immediately. When graduation was in sight, I began to consider what was next. Seminary was always in the back of my mind. But, getting my Masters degree always seemed out of reach. I wasn't smart enough, I wasn't qualified for such a task. Now, I am enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary getting my Masters in Divinity with a Concentration in Children's Ministry.
I am still waiting, sometimes more patiently than others, for said position in ministry. There have been more moments than I would like to admit to that I have felt like God has abandoned me. There have been more moments than I would like to admit to that I have felt like God has given up on me. There have been more moments than I would like to admit to that I have felt like God has forgotten about me. But, I am repeatedly comforted by God's Word.
Chime In! How have you waited in your walk with Christ? What did you learn through waiting?
Coming Up... Tomorrow, I will share with you what Scripture says about God's promises. Thursday, I will share with you what you can learn while waiting on God.
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