Why I Turned Down My Dream Job To Be a Nanny

I got this note from a young college graduate about something that I've felt very strongly about for a long time. I wanted to post it here because I think the message is important. This is important enough to say twice - You don’t have to be in Africa to “count”. Remember, God doesn’t need us anywhere. He can use us anywhere. If God says, “Go,” reply, “Here I am, send me”. If God says, “Stay,” reply, “Here I am, use me”.

It all started about a year ago when someone was asking about my life.  They were sincerely interested and we got very deep into conversation and ended up talking about the church and other ministries that I am involved with.

She told me, “You remind me of that girl Kisses from Katie…you should do something like she did.” She then asked me if I had ever been on a mission trip.

 I replied, “I like to think that the ministries that I’m involved are my mission work.”

“Ok, but I mean have you been on a real mission trip - overseas……"

People often feel called to missions overseas. “God called me to Africa”. I hear it all the time. That’s good. People in Africa need to gospel badly. 

When God calls you to go, then go.  

But when God says stay, you stay.  

What is God’s calling? We know that He calls His children to be saved, spread His gospel and then train and disciple those whom have believed (Matthew 28:19-20).  John MacArthur wrote a book called, Found: God’s Will.  In this book he explains the six things we know for certain about God’s will. 

1) We must be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4).  

2) We must be Spirit-filled (Eph. 5:16-18). 

3) Be sanctified (1 Thes. 4:3-7).  

4) Submit to God (1 Peter 2:3-15). 

5) Be suffering (1 Peter 4:19).  

6) Do whatever you want (Psalm 37:4).  

If we are truly following hard after Christ—if we are saved, spirit-filled, growing in sanctification, submitted to God, and suffering for the sake of the gospel, then we will desire to do the right thing.  We will desire the same thing that God desires for our life.  

What does this have to do with me being a Nanny? 

Leaving the interview for my dream job, I was hooked. I wanted so badly to go and work there. I told my family, “Just a warning, if they offer me the job, I’m probably going to take it.” I was planning to move really far away to work and serve God there. 

When my dream job called and offered me the job, the lady could tell I was hesitant. I didn’t even know why I was hesitant. What was I thinking? She told me not to let fear hold me back. That’s when it hit me. I was fearful to not go. I just got my college degree…I have to use it right? My reasons for wanting that job were for the adventure and opportunity. It wasn’t to serve God. 

Will there be a day when I leave and work for them? Maybe. Part of me hopes so. But, today is not that day. It is not time for me to break relationships I have made with children here. 

There is nothing dishonorable about staying home.  I love home. I love my church. I love the kids I work with.  I love my ministries. I love my family.  I can serve and honor God AND fulfill His will for my life, AND fulfill the great commission right here in a small town, working as a Nanny. 

If you are preaching the gospel, making disciples and serving the church, then you are doing REAL mission work. You don’t have to be in Africa to “count”. Remember, God doesn’t need us anywhere. He can use us anywhere. If God says, “Go,” reply, “Here I am, send me”. If God says, “Stay,” reply, “Here I am, use me”.