"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin-real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment that you have and remember that time waits for no one. Happiness is a Journey, not a destination." -Souza
I have a magnet with this quote hanging in my room. It wasn't until today that I truly realized how true this was. I purchased this magnet weeks ago, I bought it because I really liked the quote and thought it would be a good idea to read it every once in a while. It is hanging on my desk, so I see it whenever I sit down to type. As I was cleaning today, I passed by and read it. I was hit with the reality of it.
How in the world did I end up in Buies Creek, North Carolina pursuing a Master's of Divinity? Who really knows...but God?
When I was in my latter years of high school I had a job at a local home furnishings store. Pretty soon I had worked my way up to Assistant Manager and was even offered the chance to have my own store as manager. With this job I traveled all over the U.S. remodeling stores and training new employees. Just when I thought that was my destination in life, God changed the way.
I was in college pursing a degree and was presented the opportunity to start working with Autistic children. After the first day, I wasn't really sure if I would ever make it. Turns out, I did this for three years. I fell in love with the job and with the children. My life revolved around them. I was able to see so much progress in them, when a non-verbal child was finally able to speak a word or two, I would get tears in my eyes. Once again, I was happy and thought this was my destination in life.
However, God had a different plan. After graduating from college, I moved to this small town in North Carolina to begin pursuing a Masters degree. I made new friends, kept a few old ones and really just tried to focus on God's plan for my life. I was truly tired of school so I really was relying on God to get me through. During my second year here, I thought I would go my own way and decided to take the easy route and get the shorter masters degree. I talked with the Associate Dean of the school and had everything set to graduate in May. God had a different plan. He was speaking to me in a still, small voice, but I really wasn't listening (hard to admit that.) I had been working in a local church for over a year as the children's minister. I loved the children, not the church politics. I wasn't looking for another job, but God had a plan. During the spring, Campbell created a graduate assistant position for International Student Services.
The campus minister, one of my good friends, heard about the position and immediately thought of me. I applied, interviewed, and was hired. Just like that. In turn, I had to leave the position at the church. I was a little nervous about all of this, but gave it to God. Once the new position started, I fell in love with it. I love my students, I love learning about their cultures, and I certainly love hanging out with them. After a few weeks in this position, a friend said to me, "Sara, are you sure that God isn't telling you to stay in school and get your M.Div?" I looked at her and said.. "well, I don't think he is." The next day, she asked the same question. She asked repeatedly about it telling me that God was speaking to her and telling me the message. After hearing this for a while, I was giving it some serious thought. I began praying about it and gave the situation to God. One of my students asked me when it was I would graduate. I told her that it could be 2008 or it could be 2009. She asked for more of an explanation. Once I explained, she told me, "I know that you will do the right thing, you will listen to God. " That night, during my prayer, I told God I would stay in school for the M.Div. As I have embraced this decision, and my position at the university, I am so excited about the future. I am looking forward to what God has in store.
My true happiness is coming from the Journey that God is allowing me to have. If I looked at each stop as a destination, I would have stopped long before now, and I am pretty sure I would not be happy with life. Just when I thought that I was about to graduate and do what I wanted to do... God had a different plan for what HE wanted me to do and now my real life has begun.
Are you seeking to walk the journey of happiness or are you stuck at a destination?
How in the world did I end up in Buies Creek, North Carolina pursuing a Master's of Divinity? Who really knows...but God?
When I was in my latter years of high school I had a job at a local home furnishings store. Pretty soon I had worked my way up to Assistant Manager and was even offered the chance to have my own store as manager. With this job I traveled all over the U.S. remodeling stores and training new employees. Just when I thought that was my destination in life, God changed the way.
I was in college pursing a degree and was presented the opportunity to start working with Autistic children. After the first day, I wasn't really sure if I would ever make it. Turns out, I did this for three years. I fell in love with the job and with the children. My life revolved around them. I was able to see so much progress in them, when a non-verbal child was finally able to speak a word or two, I would get tears in my eyes. Once again, I was happy and thought this was my destination in life.
However, God had a different plan. After graduating from college, I moved to this small town in North Carolina to begin pursuing a Masters degree. I made new friends, kept a few old ones and really just tried to focus on God's plan for my life. I was truly tired of school so I really was relying on God to get me through. During my second year here, I thought I would go my own way and decided to take the easy route and get the shorter masters degree. I talked with the Associate Dean of the school and had everything set to graduate in May. God had a different plan. He was speaking to me in a still, small voice, but I really wasn't listening (hard to admit that.) I had been working in a local church for over a year as the children's minister. I loved the children, not the church politics. I wasn't looking for another job, but God had a plan. During the spring, Campbell created a graduate assistant position for International Student Services.
The campus minister, one of my good friends, heard about the position and immediately thought of me. I applied, interviewed, and was hired. Just like that. In turn, I had to leave the position at the church. I was a little nervous about all of this, but gave it to God. Once the new position started, I fell in love with it. I love my students, I love learning about their cultures, and I certainly love hanging out with them. After a few weeks in this position, a friend said to me, "Sara, are you sure that God isn't telling you to stay in school and get your M.Div?" I looked at her and said.. "well, I don't think he is." The next day, she asked the same question. She asked repeatedly about it telling me that God was speaking to her and telling me the message. After hearing this for a while, I was giving it some serious thought. I began praying about it and gave the situation to God. One of my students asked me when it was I would graduate. I told her that it could be 2008 or it could be 2009. She asked for more of an explanation. Once I explained, she told me, "I know that you will do the right thing, you will listen to God. " That night, during my prayer, I told God I would stay in school for the M.Div. As I have embraced this decision, and my position at the university, I am so excited about the future. I am looking forward to what God has in store.
My true happiness is coming from the Journey that God is allowing me to have. If I looked at each stop as a destination, I would have stopped long before now, and I am pretty sure I would not be happy with life. Just when I thought that I was about to graduate and do what I wanted to do... God had a different plan for what HE wanted me to do and now my real life has begun.
Are you seeking to walk the journey of happiness or are you stuck at a destination?
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