When I quit teaching in 2020, I had a “purpose” crisis.
“Quit” is a rather strong word. God firmly closed the doors on the place I had been teaching, settling a decision I had been wrestling with. Then, no other teaching doors opened right away. During that season, the Lord gave me a job in a call center as well as a ministry to the teenagers in my church. Still, I had not realized how much my purpose was wrapped up in my profession.
When people asked the polite question, “What do you do for work?” Giving the response “I work in a call center” did not elicit the same response as “I’m a teacher.”
Notice the difference? I work . . . . versus I am . . . Teaching had become my very identity—the reason for my existence.
Then there was my closet. My alma mater drilled its English education students in professional dress and conduct. As a result, my closet overflowed with blazers of varying colors paired with professional sleeveless blouses and an assortment of skirts. Now they were purposeless. My work-from-home call center job only required a comfy t-shirt or sweatshirt paired with my newly-purchased lounge pants.
Sitting in my bedroom attached to a headset and a large computer monitor day after day, I ached with the need to teach—to fulfill my purpose.
One day, I decided to shift my mindset—though I do not remember the catalyst. Setting my lips in a firm line, I took a large notecard decorated with flowers from my desk and began writing down my true purpose:
- To know Jesus
- To love Jesus
- To glorify God
- To preach the cross
- To shine light in the dark places
- To edify and encourage believers
- To teach God’s character, commands, and ways
- To know, apply, and share God’s Word
After making my list, I pinned it on a fabric board hanging over my desk. Not long after, my teaching clothes were packed up and stored in the basement.
Nearly five years later, I am teaching again, and that list is still pinned in the center of that board. It is a reminder of my true purpose. No matter what my job is or what title I hold, my purpose in life will not change.
Do you ever associate your purpose with what you do? Sunday school teacher, youth worker, wife, husband, mother, father, grandparent, child, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, business owner, volunteer—the list could go on. But none of these titles truly reflect our purpose. If any title is stripped away from us unexpectedly, the core of our purpose remains the same because our purpose is found in loving and serving Christ. The Psalmist proclaims,
“Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.” –Psalm 148:12–13
No matter who we are. No matter what we do. May we find our purpose in steadfastly praising the name of the Lord.
Copyright by Carmen Dillon © 2026. All rights reserved.
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Recently, I got to hear The Collingsworth Family in concert. This song was an encouragement to remember to praise the Lord. Check it out: Sing Your Praise to the Lord by The Collingsworth Family
Such an important post about the core of who we are! Thanks for putting words to your thoughts.