Last summer, God gave me my dream job. I started working as a full-time writer/editor for a Christian ministry. I’d been praying for a position like this for years, and God graciously answered my prayers. But over the past several months, I’ve learned a few unexpected lessons I want to share with you that may change your perspective as you search for your dream job:
1. Your dream job will still feel like a job.
Although I’m thankful for my job, it definitely feels like a job, not a vacation. Workdays can feel very long, and weekends can feel very short. I find purpose in the work I do, but ultimately, it’s work.
Even if you get your ideal job one day, be aware that it’ll still feel like a job. I genuinely hope you’ll find it enjoyable, but I don’t want to give you false hope. Because of the Fall, work isn’t fun—it’s difficult and draining (Genesis 3:17-19). That’s why taking time to rest—including on the Sabbath—is so vital.
2. Your dream job won’t fulfill every other desire you have.
I know I’m where God wants me to be in this season, and I know He graciously gave me this job. But I still have unfulfilled longings, and one of them is to get married. Getting this job didn’t make my desire to be a wife magically disappear.
If you believe all your dreams will vanish as soon as you get your dream job, you’ll be disappointed. Work is simply one aspect of your life. It’s not a substitute for marriage or motherhood or anything else you may want from life. God knows every desire of your heart, and if He fulfills one of them by providing your ideal job, it’s important to be grateful—but it’s also important to continue praying for the other things you dream about.
3. Your dream job isn’t the only job where you can glorify God.
The main reason I wanted this position is because it’s at a Christian ministry. I certainly feel like my job has purpose. However, every job I had before this job had purpose too.
If you feel dissatisfied in your current job situation because it’s not what you genuinely want to be doing or you don’t think your skills aren’t being fully utilized or you don’t feel like you’re making a difference, please don’t lose heart. God created work—and He created us to work—so He is glorified when we do it well. Your work has purpose and meaning whether you’re the director of nonprofit or a cashier at a fast-food restaurant.
Closing Thoughts
Friends, I don’t want to discourage you from pursuing your dream job. I genuinely believe God gives us desires—including for specific jobs—to lead us where He wants us to be. But I also want you to remember how much your work now matters to Him. Whatever He’s given you to do in this season, do it well.
Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. (Genesis 2:15 NASB1995)
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