Several years ago, I experienced a layoff at work from my position as a marketing manager. I was unemployed for 15 months. I thought I was washed up and my career was over. That said, I was finally able to get hired as an administrative assistant at a local university. Just after my layoff, my former supervisor suggested that I read a book called 'Reinvention' which was a career advice book about changing careers. It had some interesting advice, but in my heart, I just didn't think that was the right choice for me. Change industries, perhaps, but no longer work in marketing or communications? It was not what I wanted.
As a Christian, I can tell you that I could not see the way forward. I knew there was a way forward, but I had no clue what the outcome would be or when the season would be over. I just kept doing what I knew to do to move forward.
So, I did get a job as an administrative assistant. It was a good job. I enjoyed both my job and my co-workers. I embraced new ways of using my skills to help the efforts of the professors and their students: flyers, department brochure, video/video editing, facebook page, etc. I had fun!
Then recruiters began to contact me. What was this? So, I felt - OK, God is telling me 'Now! Now I have a position for you - the right team, the right salary.' Within two weeks I had a new job, great salary and most everyone in the department - particularly the supervisor, were all new hires.
You see, sometimes, God tucks you away in a safe place and closes doors or creates 'weird' obstacles because you aren't meant to stay where he has you. It is a temporary place. A short season.
You may find that God has promised to open up a door to work somewhere or even worship somewhere, to marry someone - though you don't know their name - but in each case, you have a clear description of what that situation or relationship will be like. You've prayed about it and you know God is faithful. So as you pursue these various options to see which of these is the 'right' one, you may end up in a job where advancement is not an option, ministry opportunity or vision is misaligned, or communications and courting are just more difficult than they ought to be.
I want to tell you, friend, you are in a temporary place for just a season. It is easy not to recognize your situation as temporary! But be careful, in this place, you can become frustrated and give up (on your dreams). I've been there!
Jer. 28:19 tells us that God knows the plans he has for us - plans to prosper us and not harm us!
So, what do you do? In that place, be calm. Look up. Nod and say to yourself 'I get it. This is just temporary and what we've discussed is still in the works, but Your timing is perfect!'
Ps 91:2 says 'I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.'
Ps 27:14 says this: 'Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
Wait upon the Lord. Do what is right and all you know to do allowing God to show you things, learn from those experiences and when the time is right, he will open that door - blessing you BEYOND what you've asked!
God has done this in my life time and time again. I hope this testimony encourages someone. If you are in a place which seems 'not quite right,' maybe you are in a temporary season or place while God is working out with the right resources, the right team, the right environment - for your benefit, according to your prayers. So, be calm. Look up. Nod and say 'I get it.'
Realize, too, that when you depart one situation (and do this without malice and with all grace), people may not wish you well. They may even curse you, shun you, or disparage your name. Don't worry about it. God's got your back - keep doing all you know to do as He is directing and guiding you to do!
Blessings to you! If this encouraged you, will you please like and share this message?
