The Lord reminded me of my WHY today.
Why are you a teacher-leader?
Why do you choose to lead?
It is so easy to make life about ourselves—what we want, what we feel, what we think, what we desire. Yet centering life on ourselves drains the very essence and joy out of living. Self-focus shrinks our purpose; God-focus enlarges it.
Lately, I have had to remind myself continually that it is not about me. It is all about Him—His pleasure, His purpose, His will, His plans. I am here because of Him. I exist because He thought of me and chose to weave me into His story. I am only what I am by His grace. I have what I have only because He gave it to me. In myself, I am insufficient; He is my sufficiency.
1 Corinthians 15:10 (KJV) – But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
John 3:27 (KJV) – A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
2 Corinthians 3:5 (KJV) – Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.
I am currently applying for the South Carolina State Teacher of the Year. After being selected as my school and district’s Teacher of the Year, this is the next step. If you ask me, I do not consider myself the most skilled or innovative teacher. I am not the most caring or the most passionate. Yet God has allowed me to be seen. He has caused others to notice something in me that sets me apart.
Since it is not because I am “the best,” I can only conclude that—like Esther—I have been appointed for such a time as this.
The circumstances of my life—the joys and sorrows, gains and losses, successes and failures—have all led me to this moment, not so I can relax or take glory, but so the will of the Lord might be fulfilled. His heart has always been the same:
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4, KJV).
As a born-again believer, a kingdom citizen, and a servant of all, I must remind myself daily that I am here to do His will. I am here to see His kingdom come and His will be done in my sphere of influence on earth as it is in heaven. His return is near, and He is calling me to partner with His heart.
2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise… but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
I am thankful that God trusts me with elevation—trusts me to stand in the spotlight for His glory and His purposes.
Lord, may I never betray that trust.
Let me not make this about my fears or insecurities, but about You and Your plans.
I am thankful for the Holy Spirit who lives within me, faithfully leading me into truth. Each time the enemy comes with deception—trying to shift my focus, distort my perspective, and influence my behavior—the Holy Spirit brings me back to the Word.
Thank You, Father, for Your trust and for Your Spirit.
Jeremiah 9:23–24 (KJV) – Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me… for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
Now, I return to my WHY.
Just as Mordecai reminded Esther of hers:
Why are you queen of Persia?
Is it because King Ahasuerus chose you?
Is it because you were the most beautiful woman in the land?
No—it’s because you were brought to the kingdom for such a time as this.
My WHY?
Why do I teach?
Why do I preach?
Why do I hold the convictions I do as a woman, wife, mother, daughter, pastor, and friend?
Because the Lord has commissioned me and blessed me with experiences and knowledge meant to be tools—tools to inspire, empower, and strengthen others. Tools to help people discover who they are so they can step boldly into their God-assigned space in this world.
So, what’s your WHY?
Reflection Questions
- What is the “WHY” behind your calling, career, or purpose?
- Where have you been tempted to make life about yourself rather than about God’s purpose?
- How has God positioned you “for such a time as this” in your current environment?
- What gifts, experiences, or lessons has God entrusted to you to steward for others’ growth?
- Which Scriptures from this reflection speak most directly to your identity and assignment?
- How can you realign your heart, focus, or practices to reflect a God-centered WHY?