I’ve got the anticipation of Christmas morning as a child.
My graduation from Florida is less than three months away.
Almost every day for the past 18 months I’ve treated this master’s program as a full-time job, working to finish it in five semesters. Now I’m applying for new careers in the marketing & communications field.
I’ve also volunteered this year in religious education and Christian formation. (More on that in an upcoming blog post).
If you’re graduating soon, I’m sure you can relate. You’ve got feelings of excitement, overwhelm, maybe a little of both. We’ll miss some parts of school, but mostly we can’t wait to show the world and the workforce the skills we’ve been training for.
Recently I interviewed for a job at a school, and they chose someone “with a lot more years of experience.” I was sad – (who wouldn’t be?) – because I’m more ready than I’ve ever been to make an impact and serve my community. But the thing is, even when we think we have the timing figured out, only God knows.
I came back to Earth a little bit, reset, and made a commitment that I encourage you to make if you’re in any kind of transition — maybe your own job search or a move to a new city (if it’s the South, we welcome you to be fans of the New Orleans Saints!)
Surrender to God’s plan.
Yes, I wanted that job. But something even better for me and God’s design for my life will be revealed in the right time.
SAVE THESE VERSES
1. “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you … plans for welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 Verses 12-13 are equally as hopeful, as the Lord writes to His people who were exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon: “When you call me, come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me.”
How inspiring to reflect on God as a loving, merciful father who will always be here when we ask. In prayer, at Mass, in the sacraments. No matter what, no matter when. In good times, in bad times.
2. “I pray that the eyes of your hearts may be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.” Ephesians 1:18 In my devotional journal called 100 Days of Believing Bigger by Marshawn Evans Daniels, she wrote something powerful on the entry I read today: “God neither consults your past nor your resume when He maps out your future. And he isn’t confined to your passions either.”
Wow. This perfectly fits the feedback I received when I asked the director what I could do differently for future job openings I apply to. She said volunteering – service – is a great way to grow, and that excited me.
Ironically, a guest speaker in my seminar class a few days later said the same thing – volunteering – when I asked for advice on breaking through when I might lack experience. I think that’s a sign. Most importantly, don’t give up. God will open the right door.
Rachel W. Jones 