This is a guest post from Minas Nehad – an office manager living and working in Cairo, Egypt. Minas works with a Coptic NGO that works to help the poor in countries throughout Africa and Asia. You can read more about her and her work on her blog or by following her on twitter. And if you too are interested in guest posting on my blog, please visit my Guest Post guidelines for more info.
As a graduate with high ambitions, I began my career with a large telecommunications company where I enjoyed the corporate life. I moved between several departments, gaining a lot of experience & real success
Then one day I realized what a nonsense cycle I am running in. A lot of effort… a lot of time… a lot of dedication… for what exactly?!
I could not see any true fruits for what I am dedicating my life to. I was turning into a workaholic and to continue in this competitive environment, I need to be more aggressive and work even more.
I felt like I am losing myself. And I looked around and felt like both my supervisor and my manager had lost themselves in this work cycle as well. And all for sake of what? Being successful?
I asked myself “What is success? What do I need to truly be successful?” So I prayed “Father, what do you want me to do? I cannot understand!”
At this time I met a friend who decided to leave her job to follow her dream of helping sexually abused children. I then volunteered to help the sick and the orphans in Ethiopia. After that, I experienced the sudden loss of my young brother & a broken relationship.
Through this all, I somehow felt God telling me to “leave everything behind and I will show you the way. The way may be hard and it may be ambiguous, but just trust Me and follow Me.”
I was filled with fear and confusion – but I decided to obey and quit my job.
It was the boldest decision I ever made, but I felt peace and supported all the way, even though I had no idea what would be next. I had a sense of freedom from the slavery of power, money, fake success and false security. I remembered when Jesus told His disciples to “leave everything and come follow Me.”
How fearful it is, but how peaceful it is when you follow Jesus – trusting His call and His voice.
I kept searching for several months. I helped in counseling sessions, travelling & volunteering in Ethiopia – searching for a way I knew nothing about!
I started losing interest and also started getting low on money. So I asked God “Is it really You I am following or my desires?”
I was then surprised to receive a call on Christmas from an unknown number asking me to join and manage the office for a Coptic NGO. I promptly accepted as I felt this is where God wants to be – a place where I can work for a living and also serve at the same time.
And as I am writing this post, I want to tell you that I have been in this place for four years now – working and serving and managing more than 1000 volunteers all over the world. I have travelled and volunteered in Ethiopia, South Africa, Ghana, and India. And every day I get to witness how God is changing lives and winning many souls to His heavenly kingdom.
I want to share this with each & every one not to tell you that you have to leave your job, but to say “ YOU HAVE A CALL!” You were created for a purpose. Don’t be content to just be part of the endless cycle. YOU HAVE GREAT VALUE! Pray to know your call and follow your heart, trusting that that is where Jesus dwells.
Wherever you are, you have a role. Get out of yourself, challenge your fears, follow your dreams, look around to see and hear the TRUTH, and you will realize that there’s so much more to life.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10