I recently left my job as the Proposal Coordinator of an IT consulting company to become a writer/editor of reports for donors at a Christian nonprofit organization. This is the kind of job I’ve wanted for a long time. Before I was even contacted by the organization about setting up an initial interview, I’d been praying for God to provide a position at a Christian company—specifically doing something I enjoy. When I was offered the position at the nonprofit, I knew it was an answer to prayer. However, I don’t think my non-Christian coworkers and supervisors at the IT consulting company truly understood why I was leaving.
Where God’s Calling and Our Hearts Collide
When I told my (former) boss I’d be leaving the company, he announced it via our intercompany message system. He described my reason for leaving in this way: “Grace is leaving…and moving on to other opportunities and mainly to follow her heart…”
I genuinely appreciated the kind, supportive words I received from my boss (and others) before I left. But honestly, I don’t think many of them grasped the real reason I was leaving.
Yes, I believe God instilled a passion for writing (especially writing to Christians) in my heart. And I know He gave me the desire to work for an organization that puts Him first. But my decision to change jobs (and companies) wasn’t about following my heart; it was about walking through the doors God was opening in my path.
I don’t fully understand how God works through our passions, desires, and talents—and I probably won’t fully understand that until I get to Heaven. But I do believe He opens doors in our paths to lead us where He wants us to go. And I believe He can use our passions, desires, and talents to build His kingdom and edify His kingdom-builders—whether we do that in our careers, at our churches, in local or global ministries, or even through our hobbies.
When We Know the Way
The world probably won’t understand the reasoning behind the decisions you make, including the decisions you make about where you work and how you spend your time outside of work. When you invest in God’s kingdom, all the world can see is that you’re “following your heart” or “pursuing what you’re passionate about” or “chasing your dreams.”
But by the grace of God, we know there’s more to life than following our fickle (and wicked) hearts. Following His calling is so much more fulfilling than that.
The only thing (or One) that matters in this life—and in the life to come—is Jesus. And He isn’t a passion, an interest, or a goal. He is the way, the truth, and the life.
Jesus said to him [Thomas], “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6 NASB1995)
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 