My Ideal Job

A friend of mine challenged me to blog about what my ideal job would be. Initially, I thought that that was a strange request until he further explained. He said that a lot of people lack focus and, without focus, they are unable to achieve their dreams. Makes sense enough.

Before I get into the nuts and bolts of what I would like to do, I think it is important to back up a little bit. During the six years that I was in school, I felt like my passion was being funneled into one specific direction. I really felt like God was cultivating a passion for helping women and children at risk, particularly those enslaved by the global sex market.

Fast-forwarding to more recently, I have had some unexpected time off to really clear my mind and think about what it is that I really want out of life. What I keep coming back is the idea that I want to be out in the world making a difference. I want my life to matter. I want it all to mean something. And it keeps coming back to those women and children. It's like I can almost hear their voices calling out for help. Some of their stories reverberate in my head, heart, and soul. Those women and children are usually not far from my mind.

Now, I think that it is important that I make one thing clear. I am not the one who is able to save these people. It is truly a God thing. This is something that God has placed on my heart. Shane Claiborne wrote it best in The Irresistible Revolution, "Over and over, when I ask God why all of these injustices are allowed to exist in the world, I can feel the Spirit whisper to me, 'You tell me why we allow this to happen. You are my body, my hands, my feet'" (2006, 65). Like Isaiah said, "Here am I, Lord. Send me" (6:8). That's how I feel. I am willing and able to help out in the fight against sexual exploitation and trafficking. 

With all of that being said, I am looking for an opportunity to do this type of work while being stationed in the LA area for the time being. I would like LA to be my "home base" where I could work in collaboration with other organizations in the area to tackle this issue both domestically and internationally. Ideally, I'd love for my job to entail:

• Leadership position-- empowering those that are working with the women and girls with resources, tools, and strategies
• Project management for implementing and evaluating various projects working within prevention and intervention
• Advocacy/lectures at conferences and/or locals colleges, universities, and churches
• Research component for writing and publishing materials on the subject
• Travel-- partnering with other organizations domestically and internationally 

I think that that pretty much sums it up. I'm not asking for much, huh? Ha ha. Well, a girl can dream and I don't mind if I do. In the meantime, it is my prayer that God would start opening up doors for me to start down the path towards the type of career that I've detailed above. Oh, and for patience and steadfastness on my own part, not to give up on the dreams that God has placed on my heart. Amen.