God Really Spoke to Me in Today’s Service

When I gave birth to Alexandra, it was only a few days later that I had a feeling God was asking me to sacrifice something I had dreamed about for years. I sensed that for this season, I would not be staying home full-time with my daughter as I had imagined. Coming back to the U.S., scrambling to find a job, signing a lease, and rebuilding life here wasn’t on my bingo card for 2026.

For the last several years, I had developed a dream of being a present stay-at-home mom with many kids running around the house. I still have that dream. But God has been teaching me that while we can make our plans, the Lord determines our steps (Proverbs 16:9). I’ve learned that sometimes faith means trusting God with the plans we hold most closely and believing that His purpose is greater than our expectations.

Working with an infant wasn’t something I was naturally excited about. Yet throughout this season, God has continually provided opportunities for me to work in environments where talking about Him and making Him known comes naturally. Since last November, I’ve been blessed to work in several different schools where I have been able to reflect Christ and share His love with those around me.

Today’s service felt like God speaking directly into this season of my life.

One statement that stood out to me was, “Use your profession to profess Jesus.” Instead of viewing work as something that takes me away from my purpose, what if work is part of my purpose? What if God has placed me exactly where I am so that I can bring the nature of Jesus into the workplace?

The sermon reminded us that our actions are often the loudest message we preach. We may not always have opportunities to openly talk about Jesus, but we can demonstrate His character through excellence, integrity, kindness, and service. We earn the right to speak through the way we live.

As I reflected on this, I realized that God is changing my perspective. This season may not look exactly how I once imagined, but I can see how God is using it for His purpose. Work doesn’t need to be just a place I go each day. I can take the opportunity and use it as a platform to serve others, reflect the character of Jesus, and be faithful where God has placed me. Every task becomes an opportunity to glorify Him.

The message also challenged me to pursue excellence not because my identity is found in my career, but because excellence reflects the God I serve. To provide solutions instead of complaints. To think like an owner rather than simply an employee. To coach and encourage colleagues rather than criticize coworkers. These are practical ways we can bring Jesus into our workplaces every day.

One of the most encouraging reminders from Pastor Mark was to focus on purpose, not paycheck. Colossians 3:23 tells us to work heartily, as for the Lord and not for humanity. When our work becomes an offering to God, even ordinary tasks take on eternal significance.

I couldn’t help but think about Esther and Ruth during the service as well. Neither woman ended up where they expected. Esther was taken from her home and placed in a palace she never planned to enter. Ruth found herself widowed, grieving, and working in fields simply to survive. Neither story looked ideal from a human perspective. Yet both women remained faithful in the place God had assigned them.

Esther used her position for God’s purpose. She didn’t choose the circumstances that brought her to the palace, but she trusted that God had placed her there “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Ruth faithfully worked the fields, serving her family while not knowing that God was writing her into the lineage of Jesus Himself.

Neither woman wasted the season they were given. They didn’t wait for better circumstances to be faithful. They trusted God in the middle of uncertainty and allowed Him to use their ordinary obedience for extraordinary purposes. 

I feel like God is inviting me to do the same.

This season may not look like I expected and it does not match the picture I once had in my head. But God is reminding me that He is still writing the story. I have the opportunity to make my workplace a mission field and my profession a platform. My challenges can become opportunities for God to be glorified.

So today, I’m choosing to hold my plans loosely. As my pastor said, “Plan with a pencil and give God the eraser.” I still have dreams. I still have hopes. But more than anything, I want to be faithful wherever God places me and this service was such a great reminder of just that. I felt God saying over and over, “Have faith Harleigh.”

If Esther could trust God in a palace and Ruth could trust God in a field, then I can trust Him in any and all jobs I have. Maybe you’re in a season that doesn’t look like what you expected either. If so, take heart. God may be positioning you for a purpose you can’t yet see. Be faithful where you are. Give every task to the Lord. Focus on your purpose more than your paycheck. Trust that He is directing your steps.

You may be exactly where God wants you to be for such a time as this.