A career is how we earn a living. A calling is how we live out God's purposes. While the two may overlap, they are not the same. Throughout Scripture, God often called people long before their occupation changed. Moses was a shepherd, David a shepherd and later a king, Paul a tentmaker and an apostle. Their work mattered, but it did not define their identity or limit God's purpose.
Many people become discouraged because they assume they have missed God's calling if they are in the “wrong” job. Yet God is far more interested in who we are becoming than in the title on our business card. A career may change several times throughout life, but our calling to love God, reflect Christ, serve others, and steward our gifts remains constant.
Rather than asking, “Am I in the right career?” ask, “How can I faithfully reflect Christ where He has placed me today?” As we walk faithfully in the present, God often reveals the next step of our journey.