Editor’s note: Russell Gehrlein appeared as a guest on the Embrace Our Calling podcast, hosted by Marcus Mok, on Sunday, January 25. In parts one and two of this interview, Russell and Marcus discussed several faith and work concepts found in Russell’s book, Immanuel Labor: God’s Presence In Our Profession, and life lessons Russell has learned throughout his career. Below is a partial transcript of their conversation, which has been edited for length and clarity. Listen to the full conversation.

A Non-Linear Career Path

MM: Russell, I read the first few chapters of your book, and I must say, your career journey is just fascinating. You were a math teacher, a youth minister, you spent twenty years in the military, and now you’re working as a Department of the Army Civilian. 

Most people will just see this as completely different callings altogether. How do you see the thread that seems to connect them all?   

RG: It’s a very unique journey, a unique career path. I started out by getting a math degree in college. The best thing that came out of college was not that degree. It was my wife of forty-four years; I met her in school. So that degree was of secondary importance in the overall scheme of things. However, I did teach high school and junior high math in Denver, Colorado, for a couple of years.

Then, at the same time, I was working with youth at my church, and I sensed a calling towards youth ministry. So, after those two years, my wife and I moved up to Portland, Oregon. Here, I was pursuing youth ministry and getting a seminary degree. Then my daughter came along, and God closed the door … 

I had to go look for something else. The ironic thing was that I couldn’t go back to teaching math … They did not honor my Colorado teaching certificate. So, it was time for chapter three. I was very concerned … 

The pastor of my new church said that when your dream dies (like my dream of being a youth minister), you need to find a new dream. I did not know what that was. I was just open to what God would have. I had no idea, but I began thinking about joining the military. So, I did. 

I thought maybe I would go and do three years, and they would provide some good benefits and good pay. I thought maybe I would learn some things, [which would] develop my character a little bit, and then get out and go back to ministry or teaching. However, it was clear that God worked in me.

I’ve stayed with the military for nearly forty years—twenty years on active duty and seventeen going on eighteen as a Department of the Army Civilian. I get to take care of soldiers every day.

Even though those are different vocations, there was a divine purpose. The things that God put in my heart were things that have been used in [my work], like the spiritual gift of encouragement, for example. I’ve been able to encourage people in each phase of my career. 

God has provided for me, strengthened me, and created me in a certain way to bring him glory in each field that I have been in. I think that the most important common thread is that God has been with me the whole time. 

Career Changes are Opportunities for Growth

MM: What would you say to someone who feels that their career path is all over the place, at least on the surface? 

RG: I find that the majority of people in this country change careers four or five times, and it’s not always different jobs at different levels in the same field, but four or five different fields. 

Some might start out as teachers and later go into industry, or vice versa, go into teaching later in life. Others might work in a church, but it might not be a good fit, so they go back to some other field of work. So, [moving around] is a very common thing.

As Christians, there are very few things that should surprise us about how God leads us. There are [some] people who are led to stay in one place. There are many people who are led to move on, but his faithfulness is constant. Certainly, we need to be faithful to our spouses and our families, but when it comes to a job, if you see another opportunity, take it. If you sense that God is leading you to go somewhere else, I would say go for it. Just be open to what God would have …

The jobs that we have give us an opportunity to serve where we are, but they also prepare us for what’s ahead. If we keep our eyes and hearts open to what God has planned for us, then when we see another opportunity, it might be a big step of faith to jump into it. 

I had no idea going into the military that I would still be doing that thirty-nine years later, but I’m grateful. I think God can certainly open and close doors, and we need to be ready to go where he wants us to go.