I never expected that I’d end up as a baker or even a chef. I thought I’d be a priest or perhaps a monk in a monastery somewhere. But I always found myself around food and, on fast days, would often come up with really creative ideas for dishes (I was the cook, at the time, in a seminary and had some prior cooking experience at a vegetarian restaurant right after college, but I figured that was just a space filler till I became a pastor). Every assignment I had after that still found me playing with food—cheese, bread, barbecue sauce, soft drinks – I was fascinated by food. And then I got married and my wife was a great cook too so we opened a small restaurant and bakery as a mission outreach in the town where we lived. We called it our ministry even though we didn’t preach or subject our customers to overt religious evangelism. It was all very subtle; we felt that we were feeding their souls while feeding their bodies and, somehow, it all came together and the customers, from all backgrounds and faiths, got what we were trying to do and pretty soon we had big following. It was about then that we became Orthodox Christians but it was also about then that I realized my calling was not to be an ordained priest but rather, to serve others in a priestly way without their knowing it. Food became my form of subtle sacrament, and bread became my metaphor. I wrote a book about it and then another and, before long, we had sold the restaurant and bakery and I became a teacher of bread in culinary schools and also around the world. I have never stopped believing that God had ordained this ministry for me and my wife and that, in our own way, we were serving God’s will through a path that He had provided for us.

I read a book during the midst of this about finding your mission in life, written by an Episcopal priest, in which he outlined three aspects of any life mission: first, that every person shares a common mission with all humans to know God, our Creator, and to stand in His light and presence (I now understand this in he Orthodox context as the striving for theosis); second, that every person shares a common human mission to leave the world better than we found it by allowing God’s light to flow through us and manifest in various ways, essentially, and to serve others; and three, we each have a personal mission to find the work that brings both us and our Creator the greatest possible joy. I understand this now as synergia – our efforts meeting God’s love to create something uniquely our own, and that we can only call grace.

This explanation of finding one’s mission in life resonated deeply for me because it helped me to see that everyone, simply by being a human being created in the image and likeness of God, is ordained – but each in his or her own way, according to God’s will. Some may be formally ordained as priests, deacons, and clergy but everyone has a priestly dimension and the means to express it. Some spiritual writers have called this realization, “Surrendering yourself to Divine providence.” When I was able to surrender myself to the path I already found myself so happily on, I realized that it was the way that God had given me to participate in His creation and to know Him, and to express His energy as an individual. I discovered that I could give glory to God and find my own sense of mission and purpose and (and this is vitally important and too often overlooked by many “seekers” of God), to have a joyful, fulfilling life. Sometimes it’s about just seeing what’s right there in front of you.

From a very tender age, I wanted to become a researcher. Now, after many years working as a professional researcher as an astrophysicist, I truly believe that God called me to be where I am today, and that I just did the footwork under his gentle and kind guidance – not to become a scientist specifically, but simply to walk the path that he has chosen for me, wherever it might lead.

For many years I did my job by investing as much time into accomplishing my professional responsibilities. I am sad to say that I did not give much time to prayer and spiritual work.  I took the Lord for granted and did not think much about the labor I need to accomplish as a part of my spiritual journey.

When I developed a certain bodily illness, I began to realize that I am not the one in control of my life, and that my soul was in need of healing even more than my body. So, things have changed, and by the grace of God, he has ‘lifted me from my despair, that I may be vigilnt and glorify his might.’[1]

Now, my priority is God, and the work is just one of many pieces in my life on my spiritual journey. At work I try to maintain an awareness of God at all times. I do “derail” often, but with the help of my spiritual father and teachers, my brothers and sisters in the Church, and especially in preparation for and during confession, I realize how far I have gone, and try to return to the right path.

My profession involves the study of the Universe; it is a great gift from God to be able to see glimpses of the beauty of His Creation, and I try to describe this to others. I think that is the nature and the role of my profession. In addition to my formal professional job, I have the opportunity to teach at a private school run by my Church, where I try to teach the beauties of God’s Universe to children. I also give public talks whenever possible.

The greatest joy is discovering new things about the Universe—when, by the grace of God, the curtain is lifted and I can see and discover a few things not previously known (to us humans). But this involves a lot of work, and certainly a spiritual struggle. Trying not to live two lives – one professional and one spiritual – is not easy, at least for me. In my research there are often times that I “forget” that I am working with human beings (brothers and sisters). “Another deadline” and “publish quickly (and be first)” are not always the best ways to induce a spiritual peace and closeness to the teachings of the Lord.

It is a constant struggle, with the hope and prayer that one learns from one’s mistakes and tries to change. My faith is the thing that helps me see where I am, and where I should be, by the grace of God.

After 45 years in my chosen profession, I thank God daily for guiding me to select the art and science of dentistry as my lifelong career.  I enjoyed every single day.  For those of you who are or might consider medicine as a ministry–yes, a ministry–I encourage you to give dentistry a look.  This piece does not warrant the space to enumerate my reasons fully, but let me offer a few of my thoughts on the subject.

Dentistry is not about teeth; it is about human beings who happen to have teeth.  This, therefore, necessitates a personal interaction between two people—the one coming for care and the other prepared to serve.

In order for the professional to serve effectively, they must over time master the attributes of patience, compassion, non-judgmental listening, kindness, generosity, humility, and understanding of their fellow man.  We recognize these traits as teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  In my morning prayer, I would ask that the Holy Spirit descend upon me and give me the skill, knowledge, and judgment to serve my fellow man with perfection of care.

I found it helpful during my busy day to have visual and audible reminders to ground me in this purpose.  In my office, icons were prominently displayed and I often filled the air with hymns and, during Great Lent, the lamentations of Good Friday.

The acquired attributes mentioned above I also took to committee work and parish council meetings in my Church to more effectively work for the glory of God.  Bring God into your career and this will produce much fruit — both in your own life and in the lives of those with whom you work and serve.

Author identities for life stories remain anonymous.

One of the questions that is most difficult for me to answer is “what have been the keys to your career?” The question doesn’t bother me but it doesn’t always resonate with me. So, why is that?

I currently hold a senior position in a medium-sized firm with all the responsibilities, challenges and benefits that come with that role. Additionally, I am fortunate to have worked for the same firm throughout my professional life. The stability has been comforting and the values of the company and its ownership are totally aligned with my own beliefs in terms of “doing the right thing” and “treating others the way you would want to be treated.” But the reason the question is hard to answer is not just because my path is unusual—most adults will change jobs 5-7 times over the course of their professional life—but because my perspective is different. I really don’t think about pursuing a career. My focus is on responding to a calling.

My view of work and all of life is through the lens of faithful stewardship. The bottom line for me is simply this: our life is ultimately all about stewardship. Stewardship—managing God’s resources for His glory—is the expression of a relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and His One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Here’s an easy way to say it: our life is God’s gift to us and what we do with our life is our gift back to Him. If you look at life through the lens of stewardship then you are much more likely to be listening for God’s call on your life. You begin to ask some key questions like “how has God gifted me?” or “what passion has God put on my heart?” Ultimately, when you ask the question, “what has God called me to do?” you begin to approach your professional life in a different way. I am the only me and you are the only you. And God has called each one of us to make a unique contribution to His Kingdom as stewards of the many gifts he has given us.

So, my encouragement is simply this: we identify our gifts and talents, discover our passions and interests, and ultimately listen for God’s call of how to apply those gifts and pursue those passions for His glory. If we do, the road ahead will not be perfectly smooth but it will be headed in the right direction which is towards Him and in the service of others. Not a bad ride at all.