When In Doubt…

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

The sermon this past Sunday was titled Failing Forward. I’m pretty much a pro at failing so it not something I really fear. It made me realize that in many ways I’m afraid of the very opposite thing… success. It’s a scary thing, seeing your future starting to fall into place. I feel like I’ve gotten used to closed door and constant failure that when something actually works out, I’m actually kind of surprised.

Now that I’ve got the confessing out of the way let me move to the optimism!!

So I’m going to grad school in the Fall. It is exciting and terrifying at the same time. It took alot of prayer and faith to take that step! It’s really bittersweet because I’m going to have to leave a job I love so much and leave people that I’ve grown to love very much but the chapter of my life is closing and I’m finally about to enter a season of yes! Yes to the things that I’ve prayed for, for years!

But yet there is this yearning of self-sabotaging that I can sense around me constantly. I’ve learned I’m a person who gets comfortable very easily and that comfort turns into complacency. There is so much work I feel inclined to do; I should be doing and I’m the only person equipped to do it. But I had to learn the tough way that I’m not a superhero. I’m a daughter of God and as such I must remember my place.

In seasons of life some people are meant to plant, some people are meant to water, some people are meant to prune, and some people are meant to enjoy as it grows. At my job, I was a planter. I set things up so that the next person can water it and let it grow. That is my place during this chapter of life. In order to find contentment and joy, I’ve learned (and am still learning) to be okay with that.

Sometimes in life we can feel out of place because we are out of season. In some ways, we may need to stick it out a little longer because we have not completed the job we are supposed to do where we are. In some cases, we should have moved forward much sooner than we did and in others, we left a little too soon. Wherever we are in life it’s for a reason and it is to serve those around us.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Philippians 4:6 NIV

As long as we remember that our ministry is to God only, there is no need to stress or worry about the big picture. All that we can do is to pray to God for guidance and take small steps of faith every day trusting that God will make every step clear at the right time.

Whether in the good times, the anxious times, or the depressing times we must remember to keep moving forward. If we fail or if we didn’t time it out just right, it’s okay because all things will ALWAYS work together for good.