By Laura Harrison, Class of 2025
A big truth that is weaved into much of the content of the Charlotte Fellows program is that we get to honor God through our work and vocation - regardless of what that work is.
This is something I have always wrestled with. I have often wondered how I was honoring God at part-time jobs in the past, when sometimes it was hard enough to show up to my shifts. My internal dialogue has gone something like this: “Does this job really matter to God or make a difference? I’m tired and am having to push through my long day…can God still use me?” Not to say that I do not still struggle with this, but there is so much I have already learned about my vocational calling since starting Fellows.
Through the past several months, I have been afforded the opportunity to work at a non-profit called Healing Hands of Joy, which is working to eliminate obstetric fistula (a serious childbirth injury that is not common in first world countries) in Ethiopia. It is an amazing organization with a powerful mission that has grabbed my heart. Now, I am not working in Ethiopia. I work out of our office in Charlotte as the Operations and Communications Intern. This includes tasks such as managing our social media, overseeing our filing system, and helping with donation processing and stewardship.
When I first started in my role, I convinced myself that my tasks were menial, comparing myself to staff members who were out doing the “real work,” like the Ethiopia team helping improve women’s lifestyles on the ground firsthand, and my managers, whose hard work keeps the organization afloat. But through seminary class (learning about God’s care and use of ALL work for his good purposes) and my amazing managers’ affirmations, I am beginning to understand my work is so much more than I have led myself to believe.
Even when my tasks feel small, knowing I am contributing towards this amazing work and mission in Ethiopia has helped me understand that my work has value and purpose, and that gives me drive. The reward of the stories of the ways my organization is changing lives is so special and I can see how my role is a part of the bigger picture.
No job is menial if we are working with excellence and for His glory. God has shown me how I am bringing honor to Him through my work and vocation, even when it does not seem obvious, and for that I am so grateful.