Essential - Critical - Must-Have

Do you ever feel like your life's become a Dilbert cartoon?

How did it get to be June already? It seems like just yesterday I was sitting at home in my jammies every day watching Rachael Ray before taking Max for a trail run. Oh, how life has changed!

As many of you know, I resigned from a position at a local bank as soon as I realized that the culture and direction of the company did not match my career goals. I spent my precious days at home doing a bit of freelance work and yearning to work for Compassion International. Aaron and I sponsor a Nicaraguan Compassion child named Jenssy, and I wanted nothing more than to find meaning in my work the way I knew I could at Compassion. I thought God was calling me to use my creative gifts in full-time ministry. I prayed and prayed, and I even interviewed for positions for which I was clearly overqualified, but nothing seemed to be the perfect fit. As always seems to be the case, God had other (better) plans. God is like that. And He's always reminding me that, no matter our vocation, we're all on mission for Him.

In March, I found what promised to be the job of my dreams, and I spent most of April undergoing an intense interview process (six total, plus a hair follice drug screen and a 185-question personality/logic test). At the beginning of May, I became the communications manager of a beautiful local country club. I love the job! I work on a picturesque property, where I write newsletters; design brochures, flyers, posters, and signage; take event photos; and manage advertising, among other responsbilities. Having the opportunity to leverage my creative talents at work has been very fulfilling. I am also blessed to work in an environment in which people take the time to thank me for what I do. The golf-related perks don't hurt, either!

They say hindsight is 20/20, and I'm able to understand now some of God's purpose in having me work at the bank. While it was a tough season in my life, I know that it strengthened my assertiveness, which has already come in very handy in my new position.

Knowing that this position is right where God wants me right now doesn't mean I don't face my share of challenges. Even though I'm new in my position, my workdays have already become very long. Sometimes I feel like my life has become a Dilbert cartoon; every task I'm given is "critical," "urgent," and "must-have." It's these days, though, that something beautiful is happening. It's these days when I find myself going to God more often. It's these days I'm reminded that I can't do it all on my own, and I'm not the one in control. As I become less, Jesus becomes greater (John 3:30).

If you're struggling with challenges, whether at work or just in life, remember that God is probably using these situations to draw you to Himself and to prepare you for a role in an incredible story.

So when I'm having an "essential/critical/must-have" kind of day, I'm going to try to remember to stop what I'm doing and simply go to Him in prayer . Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) And I'm pretty sure He meant it.