Have you ever taken an uncharted journey? I have.

Looking back on my life, I see many moments when God’s guidance directed me down an unimagined path. One particular time stands out to me – the day I left a high-paying corporate career for a job in education. I stepped into an unknown future wrapped in faith and a desire to serve. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

At the height of my corporate career, I was an accountant at a sports and entertainment law firm. My role was prestigious, and the salary was good. I even had a side hustle as a fitness trainer. I was featured in magazines for my Pilates, yoga, and personal training work. I was on top of the world…not really.

I began to realize that having it all in a worldly sense didn’t translate into a meaningful life. As Hebrews 13:5 reminds us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” My professional success wasn’t filling the gap in my heart; something was missing.

At this time, I was talking with my friend Wendy, a client who was also an expert in executive human resources. She offered me an informal career counseling session, and I jumped at the chance.

Her advice turned out to be life-changing. She asked, “If you could do anything, what would you want to do?” Not needing much thought, I replied, “I’d love to teach at George Washington University, helping at-risk students.” 

While I had no formal education background and no experience working with this group of students, my desire to teach and guide others was stronger than ever.

My friend’s advice, “Say no to anything that doesn’t lead to your goal, ” became my compass in the months ahead. This simple statement became my guiding principle. Tasks were no longer part of my journey if they weren’t aligned with my purpose.

With faith as my guide, I immediately started searching for jobs in education, starting with entry-level roles. I was sure there was the perfect job for someone who loved math. Using that new invention, the internet, I went onto Monster.com to look for a job. I put my resume out there for the world to see. 

Less than a week later, I received a call from Lindamood-Bell, an organization that helps people overcome learning difficulties. The clinician position was perfect, and no experience was necessary, as they provided on-the-job training.

After passing their aptitude test and an informal interview, I was offered a position working directly with struggling students and adults in reading, writing, and math. Within a month, I had moved from corporate boardrooms to one-on-one sessions with at-risk learners. The shift was dramatic, but it felt like destiny—God’s plan unfolding right before my eyes.

This experience wasn’t just a career change; it was a calling. In my new role, I could see God’s hand guiding me as I helped students who felt hopeless find their strengths and gain confidence through knowledge and humor. The work was challenging, but I had a deep sense of fulfillment that I had never felt in my corporate life.

Through this journey, I’ve learned that God’s purpose for us may not always align with what we think we want or what the world defines as success. Sometimes, it takes stepping out in faith, letting go of the comfort of a familiar path, and trusting in His guidance. My career in teaching became more than a job—it became a ministry, a way to make a meaningful impact.

Have you ever felt God calling you to step out in faith and take a new direction? Maybe you’re at a crossroads or questioning your next move. I encourage you to trust in Him, as He knows the plans He has for you—plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

So, what about you? Is there a time when God called you to change direction, and how did you respond? Let’s continue encouraging each other on this journey of faith.