I apologize for this post being so long overdue. Here is an update to the "Prove It" dilemma from back in September:
The shiny new promotion that I sent my application for never called me for an interview. (My company hires for promotions from a "ranking list", interviewing from the candidates in the top three ranks of applicants after initial qualifications testing and screening interview. Apparently, I don't rank high enough for consideration.) I guess I didn't have the right key to Door #1.
That left the options of "more of the same", or the demotion and pursuing God's call for my life.
About a week or so after the "Prove It" post, I was given the opportunity to interview for the demotion. I thought, "Wow ... this is really happening!"
The managers in the office where I was working really, really, REALLY wanted me to pursue more of the same, because "You're good at what you do." I was afraid to tell them "Yeah, but I'm not happy at it ... in fact, I want to take a step backward." I didn't want to face their disappointment. But now I had no choice. I had to tell them.
What I wasn't quite prepared for was the reaction of the manager of the office. "Good for you!" she said. "You know, if I hadn't been in this position as long as I have, I would have done the same thing a long time ago. You've got guts, girl!" Wow. Thanks, God. That wasn't so bad.
The night before the interview, I was afraid. Not nervous. Afraid. Am I really doing the right thing? I pretty much know the caliber of candidates in the hiring pool for this position. None have the qualifications and abilities that I have. The hiring managers both know me. I have a 99.9% chance of getting this position. If I do this, there's no turning back.
I thought of my options again. Whether I choose to go through with this interview or not, I'm going to be pursuing God's plan for my life. The issue is do I want to do it while I am under the same kind of stress I've been having the past couple of years with no end in sight, or while I am doing something that will free me emotionally?
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?" (Luke 11:11-12)
If I ask God for an egg, I should expect an egg and not a scorpion. And when He gives me the egg, accept it, and forget about the scorpion. Either I trust God, or I don't.
I went through with the interview. And got the demotion. And accepted the position.
Next is to break the news to the employees. None of them (except for two or three) have any idea that I've even thought about this change. How do I tell them? What do I say?
Leave it to the office manager. She told them at the end of a staff meeting, and said it so much better than I ever could have. Of course, many were surprised. But nearly all were supportive, especially since it was a change that I wanted and had prayed for.
I have been on my new job for about six weeks now. The transition was so seamless, so flawless. So many details were taken care of, even details that no one could have anticipated. No individual or team of people could have orchestrated these events any better. God's hands were all over this change. Within a week, my husband and closest friends could see a positive change in me. The transition time was exciting and nearly effortless. I've been on such a spiritual high! It's been awesome! And God gets all the glory!
God is leading me toward a new adventure of investing more time with our youth group, particularly in leading a teen girls' Bible study. Not even a year ago, I would have given a blank stare - perhaps even the dreaded "stink-eye" - to anyone who dared to suggest that kind of adventure for me. But God's timing in all of this wasn't for 2006. It is for 2007/2008. The tools for equipping and training me for this are readily available to me. It is up to me to put the tools to work, and trust that the Holy Spirit will do the heavy lifting.
The shiny new promotion that I sent my application for never called me for an interview. (My company hires for promotions from a "ranking list", interviewing from the candidates in the top three ranks of applicants after initial qualifications testing and screening interview. Apparently, I don't rank high enough for consideration.) I guess I didn't have the right key to Door #1.
That left the options of "more of the same", or the demotion and pursuing God's call for my life.
About a week or so after the "Prove It" post, I was given the opportunity to interview for the demotion. I thought, "Wow ... this is really happening!"
The managers in the office where I was working really, really, REALLY wanted me to pursue more of the same, because "You're good at what you do." I was afraid to tell them "Yeah, but I'm not happy at it ... in fact, I want to take a step backward." I didn't want to face their disappointment. But now I had no choice. I had to tell them.
What I wasn't quite prepared for was the reaction of the manager of the office. "Good for you!" she said. "You know, if I hadn't been in this position as long as I have, I would have done the same thing a long time ago. You've got guts, girl!" Wow. Thanks, God. That wasn't so bad.
The night before the interview, I was afraid. Not nervous. Afraid. Am I really doing the right thing? I pretty much know the caliber of candidates in the hiring pool for this position. None have the qualifications and abilities that I have. The hiring managers both know me. I have a 99.9% chance of getting this position. If I do this, there's no turning back.
I thought of my options again. Whether I choose to go through with this interview or not, I'm going to be pursuing God's plan for my life. The issue is do I want to do it while I am under the same kind of stress I've been having the past couple of years with no end in sight, or while I am doing something that will free me emotionally?
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?" (Luke 11:11-12)
If I ask God for an egg, I should expect an egg and not a scorpion. And when He gives me the egg, accept it, and forget about the scorpion. Either I trust God, or I don't.
I went through with the interview. And got the demotion. And accepted the position.
Next is to break the news to the employees. None of them (except for two or three) have any idea that I've even thought about this change. How do I tell them? What do I say?
Leave it to the office manager. She told them at the end of a staff meeting, and said it so much better than I ever could have. Of course, many were surprised. But nearly all were supportive, especially since it was a change that I wanted and had prayed for.
I have been on my new job for about six weeks now. The transition was so seamless, so flawless. So many details were taken care of, even details that no one could have anticipated. No individual or team of people could have orchestrated these events any better. God's hands were all over this change. Within a week, my husband and closest friends could see a positive change in me. The transition time was exciting and nearly effortless. I've been on such a spiritual high! It's been awesome! And God gets all the glory!
God is leading me toward a new adventure of investing more time with our youth group, particularly in leading a teen girls' Bible study. Not even a year ago, I would have given a blank stare - perhaps even the dreaded "stink-eye" - to anyone who dared to suggest that kind of adventure for me. But God's timing in all of this wasn't for 2006. It is for 2007/2008. The tools for equipping and training me for this are readily available to me. It is up to me to put the tools to work, and trust that the Holy Spirit will do the heavy lifting.
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