Listen:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 )
Reflect:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” – has served as a guiding mantra over my life. This scripture was first spoken over me as a baby when dedicated at church, and seen almost daily on an embroidered textile that was framed, and standing in the pink tiled bathroom of my childhood home. While it always seemed natural to claim these words as an integral part of my faith journey, I am in a season where I also find myself wondering and wandering about in the mystery of God’s process in “making my paths straight” in regards to my life’s calling.
In 2019, I made the decision to leave a full-time faculty position at a university due to the needs of my family after the birth of my daughter. As I look back on the unfolding events of the last few years, I see more clearly what that position represented to me. It was something that felt like “mine”, something I felt I had “earned”, something that “belonged” to me after years of sacrificing hours of time and energy plodding through a terminal degree. And, quite frankly, it was ultimately something I was called to let go of.
If I am being honest, I spent the first couple years after releasing this position trying to figure out how to get it back in one form or another, and the last couple years trying to figure out who I am and what my God-given calling is without it. While I am still in the middle of a wilderness road in terms of navigating the manifestation of my “calling,” one crystallized truth is that professional identity is not spiritual identity.
Who am I without a job, or a position, or a salary, or a professional title? I am no one less than I was before. I am a child of God. A daughter of the King. An esteemed woman bought at the greatest price – someone who is learning true surrender, and faithful stewardship in the small things, so that I might someday be entrusted with greater things, ultimately meant to serve others to build up the Kingdom of God (1 Peter 4:10). I am worthy, because I am the Lord’s.
Prayer of Response:
Lord, thank you for being greater than my understanding. Help me to trust you on this journey, as YOU make my paths straight.
Questions to Ponder:
- What areas in your life do you find to be difficult to trust the Lord with?
- What is one promise of God you want to claim over your life and your identity today and throughout this week?
—Submitted by Christy Cooper
Christy and her husband Mathew live in Arcadia, California with one precocious four-year old (Eliza), one rambunctious beagle-mix (Winnie), and are awaiting the arrival of another little girl this December with joyful anticipation! She is a lover of God’s presence and a pursuer of His truth. Currently, she serves as a lay-leader at her church and has a heart for young families to be built up in faith.
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