A New Beginning
After traveling all day two Sundays ago, we flew into Colorado Springs long after dark, headed for the Glen Eyrie Conference Center. Checking into the Oaks Lodge, we tumbled into bed without even emptying our suitcases. Exhausted, we fell quickly asleep.
When we awakened Monday morning we were greeted with glorious sunshine, massive red rock formations surrounding the 700-acre conference grounds, herds of 25-45 huge Big Horn Sheep grazing the grounds, and flocks of the largest turkeys I’ve ever seen cheerfully crossing the road at every turn. Black and white feathered Magpies flew into the trees around us while mule deer feasted on low hanging tree limbs. It was one of the most beautiful displays of God’s magnificent creation I have ever seen all in one place.
Reen and I just began a new season in our lives. We accepted a staff position with The Navigators, a non-profit organization focused on helping people grow in their spiritual journey. Our trip to Colorado Springs began our orientation into this new career. It reminded me of something Steve Jobs said years ago:
“For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today? And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.” Steve Jobs
Recently, I asked a precious friend if she was enjoying her job. “Not really,” she said. “I really don’t know what to do about it because I can’t figure out what I would like to do next. I know I need a change but don’t know which way to go.”
Making a change is sometimes the best choice we can make. If you are unsure how to proceed, here are a few suggestions:
- List the moments in life you found most fulfilling and explain why?
- Identify any similarities or pattern in this list. For example, do these moments all involve creative activity? Do they involve helping and taking care of others? Were you alone or with a group at the time?
- Pray for wisdom from God as He created you for a purpose and knows best how you can fulfil it. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
- Consider career assessment testing.
- Ask a close friend or relative about areas they see you are best qualified and what they feel you do best.
- Research fields which interested you and evaluate pre-requisites.
- Sign up for LinkedIn and take certification courses to enhance your desirability to an employer.
- Look for job openings in these fields.
- Trust God, risk, and step out. You’ll never find that new thing God may have for you if you don’t take a risk. One of my husband’s favorite quotes is, “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”
God is always doing a new thing. He is always on the move. Paul reminds us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (II Cor. 5:17). Isaiah quotes God as saying, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19) And the author of Lamentations writes, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Grab hold of God’s compassionate nature toward you and know He wants you to discover His will and plans for your life. Trust Him. He will guide you when you ask!
