Change - Part 2

If you read Part I of this post, you are probably writhing in dire suspense to learn what my big announcement is. Don’t fret. The wait is over.

[For anyone reading this post who doesn’t know me please recognize that statement is completely saturated in sarcasm. I, in no way, shape or form, think I am nearly important enough nor interesting enough for people to hang on the edge of their seats. Most people who read this blog, however, do know me, and it is written with them as the audience in mind, so saddle up if you’re going to stick around and get all up in my business.]

-------------------

I am officially transitioning from my job as the College Ministry Director at my church to a lateral entry training program to become a high school educator.

Unless you know me personally, that may not seem like a big deal to you, but it alters my entire life as I have come to know it.

I have been praying about this change since March, preparing throughout the summer, and celebrating for about the past week.

Where in the world did this come from?

Simple. God called me, and I answered.

"We know that all things work together 

for the good of those who love God: 

those who are called according to His purpose. 

For those He foreknew He also predestined 

to be conformed to the image of His Son, 

so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 

And those He predestined, He also called; 

and those He called, He also justified; 

and those He justified, He also glorified." 

Romans 8:28-30 

A few years ago, God presented an opportunity for me to grow in faith and into myself, be part of challenges, failures and successes, and learn more about Himself than anything else I could’ve learned in a work environment and He wrapped it in a package and addressed it to the College Ministry Director.

Since then, I have been unwrapping that package and, like Mary Poppins' bag, what is inside is never-ending. Some days I delicately removed the tape on each side, other days I tore the paper with both hands, and more than a handful of times I found myself upset over the rips in the design.

Inside this gift I have found blessings in the form of strengthened faith, loving relationships, humility, gracious kindness, practical skills and the tiniest amount of patience. It has been a beautiful season and I am more than grateful to have experienced all of the tears and the smiles that came along.

In the same way God opened that door, He has opened the doors for me to share what He has blessed me with with the youth in this incredible city. Through very specific prayers He answered in very specific ways (such as granting me an initial interview just days before I left for Slovakia, financial provision during my training, and clarifying the pursuit of my passion in my current position), and the closing of many doors I knocked on to get me to recognize the ones that He opened, God has clearly ordered my steps in this journey.

As a Kinesiology graduate who has never worked in her major field and who has a passion for youth that led to spending a year in seminary training towards a Counseling degree, being invited to be a high school science teacher was the most glorious left-field blessing I could have hoped for. I never imagined myself a high school teacher, and now I can't imagine doing anything else.

For a while, leaving the church staff was unthinkable. How could I leave the very place that allows me to fulfill the call of every Christian on a daily basis? We are called to care for the least and the lost, to love the unloved, to share the Gospel, to introduce nonbelievers to the amazing life found in accepting Jesus Christ, and I have been able to literally pour every ounce of myself into that by pursuing the mission full time. Why would I turn away from something about which I claim to be so passionate?

Again, because I was called. What better mission field is there for me and the way God created me than the students of Mecklenburg County? I may not be able to outright evangelize to them, but I can be God’s hands and feet by loving and guiding and caring for them as I am directed.

On the outside looking in, it probably doesn’t make much sense. It may seem like I'm jumping from one place to another, struggling to settle on my feet as part of this transient generation of 20-30somethings.

I will tell you, though, that following the path of God grants a peace in the midst of uncertainty that I could never attain on my own. I have complete confidence through confirmation that God has strategically placed me exactly where He has wanted to me, to prepare me specifically to be ready to receive what He has prepared for me. 

The only role I have played in this whole journey is obedience, and to be honest, I haven’t even done that very well.

...My personal victory over abuse and the seedy college years that followed, 

the rediscovery of faith and making this relationship with Jesus my own, 

my communication development (uh, speaking publicly in front of audiences ranging from 30-5,000+ people was never on my Bucket List…especially not on multiple occasions), 

teaching European teenagers with a language barrier two summers in a row... 

God prepared me in so many unique ways to handle the challenges I face ahead, yet I never knew what He was doing at the time. I just took each small step. But the best preparation He has given me was stretching my faith and turning me towards complete dependence on Him.

This did not come easy, so if you are in a season where God is humbling you, recognize it for what it’s worth. And sit tight, because He WILL bring beauty out of ashes.

I look forward to relating to my students in ways that others don’t take the time to do, granting them the grace and respect they deserve, challenging them to extend that same grace and respect to others, and encouraging them to rise above their circumstances, blow through their obstacles and face the world with their heads held high.

I am so excited to join the ranks of other teachers who pour their souls into this passion, who dedicate their lives to helping the least and the lost stare opposition in the face and overcome the burdens that stand firm to weigh them down.

It won't be easy, I know that for sure, but well worth it. Please pray with me during this journey.

"What then are we to say about these things? 

If God is for us, who is against us? 

He did not even spare His own Son 

but offered Him up for us all; 

how will He not also with Him grant us everything?" 

Romans 8:31-32