“Why do you want to be a teacher?”
“Why are you a teacher?”
I remember many years ago when I first started as teacher (lecturer), one of my students asked those questions most people would like to know the answers too.
Is it because of the pay? Limited opportunities in the other sector? The half day spent in School/College? The long holidays? Job security? Or just “nowhere else to go”? Is it a calling or vocation?
Well, may be all of the above or may be not, I don’t quite sure when I started to be one…
But after so many years of being a “Teacher”, I am kind of loving to be a teacher—a great one! Know what? Of all professionals, teachers are the ones most intimately in touch with human lives and their development. Sound good and great huh?! Indeed, it is..
When I finished my STPM, my father suggested to me to enter Maktab Perguruan, I quickly brushed aside his suggestion and telling him I wish to enter university. Then he suggested Law, I declined again by putting Economics my first choice, wanting to end-up working in Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
At that time, things seemed to be working out well towards my goal. When I graduated from U and were start to working in a finance company, I received a call from BNM to go for an interview, only later to find out it was an interview for BNM prize for outstanding Economics’ students. I didn’t get the gold prize but were able to establish a rapport with BNM officials (most of them were seniors from the U).
After working for a few years, I decided to do my Master in Economics as that will add more weight to my resume for a BNM job. I started praying for a place where I can work and study part-time. The Lord then made special provision for me to enter TAR College where I managed to study even as I was teaching. After a while, I was shunted into education. But over the years I have seen God’s guiding hand and have learnt some valuable lessons being a teacher. I will call this “Teaching as a vocation”
It’s now my vocation and it is “called to be a teacher”!!
As Ruth Wong put it in her write-up entitled “Called to be a Teacher—A Christian and personal viewpoint.” A vocation
A vocation is not what I decide upon for my own ends. It is assigned by God.
God will adequately equip us for the work to which He has called us.
The Christian is called to walk in His footsteps.
So, to you, who are teaching or in any professions now, render service to your “earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. 9And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. (Ephesians 6:5-8)
Called to be a teacher! Proud to be a Teacher! A Christian Teacher!!
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Dear Beloved Brother in Christ,
At first, I would like to thank God because know that you and the whole family are doing well in the grace of God! Amen!
Next, thank you so much for your personal sharing about His Calling and Your Purpose in the kingdom of God. I truely believe that each one of us has a very purpose and plan of God in our lives here. As what I learned from Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warrren, there are so much that I could learn from this book. Through this, God taught me to find out His calling on me and desperately working on His purpose (Matthew 28:18-20).
I been back to this country about 2 years, time flies even unnoticeable of it. Yea...God is quickening the days when we compare to years ago the days that we lived.
Indeed, I asked myself before when I first started this profession. In the very beginning I admitted that I got this job (Lecturer in UTAR) definitely is the grace of God. Even though I never ever expected myself would be in this field before, but I accepted God's offer with willingness. I have no complain at all for what I have. Though my dream profession is as business woman so as be able to involve in international business and travel around the world.
Having said that, at the same time I got this job offer, I did get another offer from an international travel company. I have to travel to Europe most of the time as the MD hoping I could replace her role in doing so for 15 years. Undoubtly, I was excited to have this offer which I said it is kind of the dream job that I looking for. But through the guidance of God, I chose my current job (Lecturer).
Though I believe God has a role for me to play and can significantly influence the life of the students in UTAR. Of course it is not right to boast about it but give glory to God for what He has done and going to be done as well in the years that I am working here. Praying that whatever I do and say may not stumble people. Amen!
Thank God and thanks pretty much brother for your genuine sharing which inspires me and somehow could answer the question that I used to ask "WHY AM I HERE FOR?"
May the grace and blessings of God would flow into you and your family abundantly. Amen!
Luv in christ,
Carmen (Wen Huey)
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