I had the opportunity to encourage someone regarding a change taking place in their employment. It was an unwelcome, unexpected change. It wasn’t negative. Just unwelcome.
Because it was a change.
I wrote a post some time ago about being stuck in a rut. Sometimes it feels good to be stuck in a rut. We know the groove, we’ve learned to move around in it, and sometimes if we duck in just a little we can hide from other people, responsibilities, and challenges.
The reason I could encourage my friend is because I recently went through the same challenge. I was given an extra task at work that I didn’t feel comfortable with. In fact, I felt completely out of my depth. So, I wiggled my way deeper into the rut I was in to hide from the new challenge. I knew God had given me the strength and wisdom to do it. But I was scared out of my wits. I was using my earthly vision instead of my spiritual vision.
Funny thing about ruts. God can see you in there, too. So, as it happens, instead of being able to walk through an open door like God intended in the first place-I was shoved in, and the doorway back out was slammed and locked behind me.
There I was, smack in the middle of the challenge. All I could do was take a breath and work out my faith muscles. The rut was gone. I couldn’t even find it to jump back in.
Did I make mistakes? Yep. But I learned a lot about trusting God with my abilities. After all-He gave them to me in the first place. I’m not as intimidated because I can see a portion of why I should have walked through the door and accepted the challenge in the first place.
If any of you get surprised with an unexpected task, a promotion, a call to action-whether at work or otherwise-embrace it. There is always a reason why God wants you out of the rut you’re in. And if you don’t get out of it willingly this time, you may get shoved out of it next time.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
Blessings!
Sharon
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