What are you going to do with your life?” The question seems innocuous enough. When I was very young, maybe about six or seven or possibly younger, I was certain that I was going to be an Olympic speed skater. My father had taught me to skate when I was very young and we would always go to the rink on Saturdays. I would race against the big boys, and I would always win. Looking back, I am quite sure that they probably let me win. But I decided, at age five, that I would one day be an Olympic speed skater.
My career aspirations have changed just a little since kindergarten. I have gone through various phases. I have wanted to be a singer, actress, writer, veterinarian, teacher and when I graduated from high school, I was sure that I was going to be a dentist. I graduated this year and with applications going out again, the question — what are you going to do with your life? — has reappeared. Most of our parents have tried to set us into the one-career-for-life path. Studies have shown that people my age will most likely go through at least four career changes in our lives. In my past four years of university, I have seen a lot of my friends change their minds about what they are going to do with their lives. They fail a math class, so they realize that being a high school math teacher is not for them; they get their practice test for the dentistry school exam and realize that they do not work well with their hands; some have a light bulb moment where the future is suddenly rendered clear. I no longer want to be a dentist. Halfway through my first year of university, I realized I did not want to spend my life looking into other people’s mouths (but if that is what you do and are great at it then good for you!). I decided that I wanted to be a teacher. I had the opportunity to supply teach at my old schools and I loved it. I cannot picture myself doing anything else.
I am not worried about the future. Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I have nothing to fear, God has a divine plan for me. Maybe in a couple of years, I will realize that teaching is not the right job for me, but something will pan out. Matthew 6:25 says: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” My mother wants me to worry about my life and what I am going to do. I am going to follow God’s life plan.
