There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot (Ecclesiastes 3:1,2)
Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto/ISerg
As the wise Solomon once said, there is a time for everything in life. Every season that starts one day will end. We will only enjoy “eternal” when this life is over and we meet our Creator. In the meantime, everything that we can see and touch has an expiration date on it, one day it will end.
And I am now in-between seasons in my life. One season has just ended, and a new one is about to begin…
I have already shared my difficulties with the high demands of my job and how I had been exhausted lately. I’ve been praying for a long time about it, and God responded with an answer I didn’t see coming.
First, He talked to me through Scripture and also through Jon Acuff, Michael Hyatt, Mary DeMuth, Richard Stearns, Tony Alicea, John Saddington, and other writers and bloggers.
He showed me that the real problem was not my job, not the company I worked for: the real problem was that I was no longer doing what I loved. My job was no longer my dream job. Everything that I enjoyed doing I had to do after work, and because my work was very demanding, I had less and less energy to dedicate to the activities that I really enjoyed (including this blog), and that added to my frustration.
Although I searched, nothing else in my company excited me. No other jobs made me want to move to another department.
Talking to some friends and analyzing my situation (with the help of several articles I came across by the authors I mentioned) helped me see that I wanted to rekindle a passion I had in my childhood years when I dreamed of being a writer. Yes, you got that right. I was probably one of the very few 10-years-old children that dreamt of being a writer.
Other than that, I also felt a longing to help the less fortunate (check Matthew 25:35-40). But up until now, I considered both activities as things that I have been doing in my free time, so how could I make a living out of it? The answer: through faith.
God talked lots to me through Scripture about how He provides and I just needed to trust Him. Just trust Him.
So I decided to make the final decision during my vacation, to make sure that my mind was clear and rested. So I prayed, asked for more signs to confirm what I should do.
Then, with no doubt in my mind, I got back from my vacation and I took the big leap: I talked to my manager and I asked to quit my job.
Yes, that’s right. I quit my job even though I had no other plans, just a yearning deep inside of me. When I did that, I felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. As the days passed, I felt that I did the right thing.
And I believe without a doubt that God will show the way when the time is right.
As for now, He wants me to get some rest. And wait…
In the meantime, I intend to dedicate more time to study His word, to read, and to work with this blog. So you can expect some changes here too.
In my next post, I will share some of the Scripture, books, and articles that touched me deeply during my search. Stay tuned!
“Everything that we can see and touch has an expiration date on it.”
I haven’t thought of it in quite those words, but that is true.
You took quite a leap of faith. I pray you will get the rest you need and the guidance. May the Lord continue to bless your waiting time. It sounds valuable.
Amen! Thank you Lisa for your kind words and prayer. I am enjoying a needed rest now and I am praying that God will show me the next steps. No hurry…
It’s a great leap of faith – but you have the assurance that He is always there. I suspect the has something planned – something totally unexpected. And He needed you to be be in a position of both trust and readiness.
He is always there indeed, and I trust that He will guide me wherever it is that He needs me to be. I too feel that will be something unexpected…
Thank you very much, Glynn!
Wow! What a bold move! Good for you! May God guide you clearly and bless you abundantly! Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
It was not an easy decision to make in the beginning, but now I am in such peace that I see that there was nothing else that I should’ve done.
Thank you for your words, Mari-Anna!
Many times in my life when I took a leap of faith a net appeared.
I get the feeling the same will happen for you.
Kat, perfect illustration. God always provides a net for us, and when we look back, we see that we were safe all along.
Thank you!
many changes happen within us and suddenly when it is time, we can see that an old season is about over and a new one is beginning. and through it all, God continues to change our heart and mind. God be with you and guide you…
Amen! Thank you very much!
Dear sweet Cris, May you reach out and receive what you are searching for. God is in control, and you have made a serious yet bold move and are depending on Him to guide you and bring you to the place that will bring you joy and fulfillment. May opportunity extend open doors for you so that you will be discovering what is God’s will for you and what will bring honor to Him. May this be the best season ever for you!
Hazel, thank you for your words of support and encouragement. I appreciate it so much!
Cris, I ask the Lord to give you the rest and peace which will refresh you for your next season. To Him be all glory, especially in the seasons of seeking Him free from distractions.
Amen, Anne. To Him be all the glory indeed!
Thank you very much for your comment.