It’s Never Too Late For Change

But I am trusting in you, O Lord, saying, ‘You are my God!’ My times are in your hands.

“You cannot self-generate the necessary “heat” of affirmation, encouragement, and support that are gained from true friendship.”

David McKinley

There’s a fine woman I know well and she is struggling deeply. For whatever reason, this multi-talented midlife gal hasn’t yet found her niche in the workplace. From where I sit, I can see how smart, gifted, creative, and savvy she is. But she can’t see what I see and I think I know why.

Like most of us, my dear friend is paying far too much attention to what she imagines others are saying about her choices. Granted, every choice we make does in some way impact the people around us so we do need to take care when deciding. Great care. However, what’s wrong in this scenario is my friend’s focus. She is comparing her vocational journey with others her own age.

Friends Spot Our Potential

Also like most of us, she thinks she knows what others are thinking and you know what, I know these “others” and they aren’t thinking anything negative about my friend. On the contrary, because we all know and love her, we all want to help her find the best vocational niche for her sake. We can see what a marvelous person she is and we simply want her happiness in life to extend into her work world.

Wise Counsel Always Makes Good Sense

I believe this is yet another example of how good friends can help guide us, instruct us, and counsel us through some of life’s most challenging decision-making choices. Career choices. Midstream career changes. Those closest to us observe how we handle conflict, problems, and rough territory. They get to watch us fail some sure…but they also watch us gather the best part of ourselves together and overcome whatever we’re facing. They see what we’re too close to see clearly. Make sense?

Comparison Is Always Foolish

Comparison will rob a person blind and will leave them in a gutter of mucky, hopeless despair. Isn’t it time that we ask our nearest and dearest for their thoughts when we’re feeling like work has us slammed against a wall with no escape? Everyone needs the perspective of someone (or many someone’s) who 1) know us well and 2) can offer us godly, biblical counsel. Friends can do that. Best of all, friends will provide affirmation, encouragement, and support that we cannot, under any circumstance, self-generate.

Psalm 139 is perhaps the strongest argument for trusting God with our lives both personal and professional. Since God created us, formed us, knows us inside and out, shouldn’t we place our absolute trust that He will also guide us through this life? Absolutely.

Instead, we struggle and worry and fret and fume trying to find our way through many of life’s twists and turns. As we go, we forfeit the peace He promises each of us who know Him personally. Day and all through the night, God assures us He is working on our behalf. Jesus, Himself, is now at the right hand of God interceding for us 24/7.

Still, we refuse His comfort, His guidance, and His messengers (faithful friends and family) who are more than willing to offer a listening ear and words of encouragement. Why? I believe one of the biggest obstacles to discovering God’s best vocational fit for us is that we are afraid of what others will think.

When an individual takes a position and soon finds out it wasn’t what they believed it would be (or how unsuited they are for the job)…rather than honestly communicate that to their employer (before the boss has spent more time and energy investing in them as an employee) they miserably stay put much longer than is wise (or productive).

Closing One Door Can Open The Next One

Not one to advocate quitting…anything…there are appropriate circumstances when giving notice is the very best choice. Is it humbling? Sure. Is it sort of scary? Yep. Like most of life, you cannot move through the next door until you’ve walked through the one you’re in presently and shut it tight behind you. The book of Ecclesiastes includes a verse about God giving happiness to people through their work. Why not ask God for that special gift right now? Work = happiness – it can happen…to you.