A few days ago I was straining myself to feel content with where I am in this process of finding out where I am meant to be concerning my career. It has been an interesting process working in a job where I deal with a lot of customers who are far from content with where they are in life, and often show it through frustration and impatience while feeling rushed to get their coffee. In those moments of receiving their frustration, or witnessing it, I always feel a responsibility to pause, consider where they are coming from, and turn away from wanting to express my feelings of being wronged by them. However, I can't always shake the feeling that it should be different. People shouldn't be allowed to treat people in a rude, condescending, self righteous or disrespectful way- it's not excusable, it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, your behavior is your responsibility, even if you really need coffee:).
Today there was another incident where I just thought to myself, why is it that the people that are the loudest, pushy or most demanding, often get the reward of what they want? Or perhaps someone who just yelled at you felt justified to do so, because they were previously yelled at. I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling or noticing the decline of respect and consideration, but as a Christian how are we supposed to handle these situations?
As I was on my way to work a few days ago, while listening to the radio, a man called in and said something that has really resonated with me. He was explaining how he was infuriated by road rage, angry and wanted to react but didn't due to trying to set a good example for his kids and get to church safely. Once they arrived at church, he started to relax a bit, but couldn't shake his rage about what had happened. As the sermon started, he realized the pastor was talking about Christians being set apart and the difficulty of living in this world and not being of this world. The pastor went on to say that the struggle in this life is continual due to us being apart of the fallen race, and our flesh flares up in times of pride, which triggers our fallen self. Only when we realize the fight is no longer ours, (that when Christ died on the cross, He alone removed the weight of responsibility of having to earn our freedom in Christ, from being saved solely by our abilities) can we separate our-self from being pulled down and included in the world's view of sanctification.
The pastor then gave a visual (may not be exactly word for word, but what I got from the description) Imagine a bottle used to scoop up water from the ocean. While scooping some water, sand got into the bottle and started to settle at the bottom, eventually becoming separated, completely settled- a lot like when we trust in God and give our lives to Him we are at peace and are trusting Him to control the details and interactions in our lives. However, when we loose focus, and allow our self to get caught in becoming riled up because something is not as we would like it, we are shaken and stirred. We become discontent and things become foggy and distressed, much like a bottle of water and sand shaken up, we lose clarity.
I don't know why this resonated so well with me, but it gave me peace and helped me to remove how I felt about heading into a job that I am not necessarily passionate about, (besides the coffee, that is) and the stress of waiting to hear about potential career opportunities and then reminded me that I have a God who is faithful, one who has plans to prosper me, not to harm me...and that this job, is a job that is apart of his plan. Theses people are apart of his plan, and I am in the process of being refined in a loving process. I am thankful for the struggle, that it is not up to me and the blessing of living in a place where I can reflect on God's love freely and hear from people of faith share their wisdom. During my shift, I received a text from a past manager, who informed me that there were two inquiries from a district I had just applied to, asking for a reference for me, from him. I have yet to hear anything but feel blessed and joyful that this is a possibility. If not, I know God has something good in store, made just for me and my refinement.
I read later that night a devotional called, Ending Your Day Right, by Joyce Meyers. The devotional reflected the earlier message I heard on the radio, and the only thing I can say, is that it gave me so much joy. The last line of her devotional for that night said, when ever you are feeling uncertain or down, just focus on and say this mantra, "God has something good for me today".
Although I still get "shaken up, I know that God has something in the works and I feel more reassured than ever that God has something good for us!
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Living Life Fully Alive...
Over the past two weeks I feel like there have been moments of great joy and hope along with some dire times of concern and anxiousness. I have taken some time to process what it is to be successful, happy, and purposeful with my life. I believe that Chau and I have taken the first step toward what we want for our lives and the quality of life that we strive to incorporate daily. So far, despite the lack of a full time job for me, we have felt completely at peace with our decision to move up here and explore a new area, and rediscover who we are as a couple. We have been blessed with family visiting, friends staying with us, visiting and planning trips up here, as well as, rediscovering old friendships that are now blossoming into regular meetings and purposeful investment in making our community up here.
Don't get me wrong, we definitely miss our community at home, greatly! And are thankful that we have your prayers, support and love consistently. I thank God that you are all in our lives and still consider us dear friends despite the distance. I take comfort in the thought of reaching out or receiving calls where we can pick up right where we left off. And for those where life continues to consume our time, know that I will always see our friendship as purposeful in my life and look forward to connect soon!
Now, in the last two weeks, We have both experienced the uncertainty of being far away from family when crisis takes place, learned and relearned God is in charge of our circumstances and will bless any situation, despite how we feel. Have questioned our place in this plan of God's master orchestration, and regrouped to find that what we think and pursue, can change in an instant.
The way I have come to see life (ever changing and developing) in the past two years is this... There are two (probably more) ways to function on a daily basis. One can live life in a safe environment, going with what works, makes people happy, allowing life to pass by with out tapping into the depth of who God has made them to be to the full extent, but still being content. Or, one can live life fully alive. This second option is a difficult one to achieve, because it takes risk, time, uncertainty and is scary, although I feel has personally brought me the purest joy. I am not saying one has to begrudgingly go sky diving, spelunking, or swim with the sharks after watching shark week, to live life fully alive (possibly until a dangerous end). What I am saying is God created us uniquely, to greatly impact each other in community. To work in an environment that suits you to make a difference naturally with the talents and gifts he has designed in you. Often times, I feel that our careers or social environmental norms are created by making generalizations-which become the norm in order to fulfill a quota. We no longer look for the natural gifts that make a difference for everyone involved, if engaged. More and more, I feel that encouragement is lacking in everyday communities that helps individuals differentiate what is unique about them, and therefore, would help them to pursue avenues that would help them flourish. I think we have to fight for ourselves as well as for others and what is good for life aligned with God. "Love your neighbor as yourself" (the second command in Matthew 22:38). How can we do this better, when we live in a world of people not seeing the value of who they are, or are bullying those around them due to their own insecurities. There is a lot more defensive living than offensive living these days. But ask yourself this, how refreshing is it when someone pays you a complement? Or helps you in someway, just out of kindness? How much more life do those acts of kindness and love breathe into your day? It fuels a fire deep within you to be purposeful or a desire to influence people's lives in a positive and uplifting way. It also restores faith in community, and therefore influences a movement to make this world a more loving place to be.
A few months ago, I was introduced to a friend of Chau's who selflessly helped me (with out knowing me) get into the sub pool in a desired district up here just by taking the step of telling me that it was accepting applications way back in November. Now, upon interviewing I spoke with a few other candidates who said they had been waiting and attempting to get into the sub pool for four plus years. I got in, which I have to say was an oddity because the amount of time to apply was less than a week. I thank God for that and know that he works through people to bless others. Another blessing was hearing from the same friend after finally meeting (and her throwing me a mini birthday party), that she thought we should hang out more often, and that she really liked me. I can not express how refreshing and touching it was to feel immediately accepted and encouraged by who I was naturally. I did not have to pretend, act a certain way or impress, I just was and I was told that I was liked. Why do we not do this naturally? Is it fear or pain? It can be hard to give from your heart, but I have to say I experienced pure joy and couldn't remember another time where after being met for the first time that I knew I was liked and accepted by someone who took the time and effort to just plainly say it, and not assume that I would know.
I know I have been blessed with good friends who are more like family, who protect and push for my success and I am ever grateful for each of you and all you have done. You have each helped to make me who I am now and will continue to influence me daily. We all need mirrors to see who we are and what we look like to others, I hope to be a good reflection for each of you. As well as, how you come to understand how I see you, to be a positive and uplifting experience. I pray that I come to those I meet as an accepting and loving person who is encouraging not judgmental. Nor that I be fearful of how I come across to the other person. Rather, to be a genuine person, encouraging them to be who God has made them, and not how others (including myself) would selfishly like them. All in all, I pray that we all take a step back from ourselves, and step toward uplifting someone besides us. You never know the importance of that connection, or the influence it can have on your community in which you live daily. Why live in a world of strangers, when you can live in a world full of friends?
Love you all,
Jess
Don't get me wrong, we definitely miss our community at home, greatly! And are thankful that we have your prayers, support and love consistently. I thank God that you are all in our lives and still consider us dear friends despite the distance. I take comfort in the thought of reaching out or receiving calls where we can pick up right where we left off. And for those where life continues to consume our time, know that I will always see our friendship as purposeful in my life and look forward to connect soon!
Now, in the last two weeks, We have both experienced the uncertainty of being far away from family when crisis takes place, learned and relearned God is in charge of our circumstances and will bless any situation, despite how we feel. Have questioned our place in this plan of God's master orchestration, and regrouped to find that what we think and pursue, can change in an instant.
The way I have come to see life (ever changing and developing) in the past two years is this... There are two (probably more) ways to function on a daily basis. One can live life in a safe environment, going with what works, makes people happy, allowing life to pass by with out tapping into the depth of who God has made them to be to the full extent, but still being content. Or, one can live life fully alive. This second option is a difficult one to achieve, because it takes risk, time, uncertainty and is scary, although I feel has personally brought me the purest joy. I am not saying one has to begrudgingly go sky diving, spelunking, or swim with the sharks after watching shark week, to live life fully alive (possibly until a dangerous end). What I am saying is God created us uniquely, to greatly impact each other in community. To work in an environment that suits you to make a difference naturally with the talents and gifts he has designed in you. Often times, I feel that our careers or social environmental norms are created by making generalizations-which become the norm in order to fulfill a quota. We no longer look for the natural gifts that make a difference for everyone involved, if engaged. More and more, I feel that encouragement is lacking in everyday communities that helps individuals differentiate what is unique about them, and therefore, would help them to pursue avenues that would help them flourish. I think we have to fight for ourselves as well as for others and what is good for life aligned with God. "Love your neighbor as yourself" (the second command in Matthew 22:38). How can we do this better, when we live in a world of people not seeing the value of who they are, or are bullying those around them due to their own insecurities. There is a lot more defensive living than offensive living these days. But ask yourself this, how refreshing is it when someone pays you a complement? Or helps you in someway, just out of kindness? How much more life do those acts of kindness and love breathe into your day? It fuels a fire deep within you to be purposeful or a desire to influence people's lives in a positive and uplifting way. It also restores faith in community, and therefore influences a movement to make this world a more loving place to be.
A few months ago, I was introduced to a friend of Chau's who selflessly helped me (with out knowing me) get into the sub pool in a desired district up here just by taking the step of telling me that it was accepting applications way back in November. Now, upon interviewing I spoke with a few other candidates who said they had been waiting and attempting to get into the sub pool for four plus years. I got in, which I have to say was an oddity because the amount of time to apply was less than a week. I thank God for that and know that he works through people to bless others. Another blessing was hearing from the same friend after finally meeting (and her throwing me a mini birthday party), that she thought we should hang out more often, and that she really liked me. I can not express how refreshing and touching it was to feel immediately accepted and encouraged by who I was naturally. I did not have to pretend, act a certain way or impress, I just was and I was told that I was liked. Why do we not do this naturally? Is it fear or pain? It can be hard to give from your heart, but I have to say I experienced pure joy and couldn't remember another time where after being met for the first time that I knew I was liked and accepted by someone who took the time and effort to just plainly say it, and not assume that I would know.
I know I have been blessed with good friends who are more like family, who protect and push for my success and I am ever grateful for each of you and all you have done. You have each helped to make me who I am now and will continue to influence me daily. We all need mirrors to see who we are and what we look like to others, I hope to be a good reflection for each of you. As well as, how you come to understand how I see you, to be a positive and uplifting experience. I pray that I come to those I meet as an accepting and loving person who is encouraging not judgmental. Nor that I be fearful of how I come across to the other person. Rather, to be a genuine person, encouraging them to be who God has made them, and not how others (including myself) would selfishly like them. All in all, I pray that we all take a step back from ourselves, and step toward uplifting someone besides us. You never know the importance of that connection, or the influence it can have on your community in which you live daily. Why live in a world of strangers, when you can live in a world full of friends?
Love you all,
Jess
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