A New, Unexpected Path
Being a life coach I have heard all of the statements below in recent months. You are in good company if any of the statements below resonate with you.
“I feel underqualified to live out a calling God has placed before me.”
“I feel like I reached the top of the career I chose and realized it's not for me.”
“I’m feeling stuck, not sure of which road to take.”
“I need guidance with all my dreams before they become a faint memory.”
“I have contemplated starting something new and I even have an idea but I am in need of some direction on how to proceed.”
“I am in a season where I just feel lost and unorganized. I need direction.”
“Please help me get my life on track.”
“I’m trying to align my passions with my giftings and honestly just having a hard time discerning what my calling is.”
“I am in a season of change and unknown for what is coming next. I can't help but feel stressed and anxious, which I hate, but it seems so natural. I know God has plans and will lead and guide me, I am just trying to be wise in the meanwhile and be active in seeing what it may be.”
“I'm a new Christian and I'm struggling to find Christ's calling for my life vocationally.”
“How does a Christian walk through a transitional season?”
“I am feeling a bit lost in terms of how to have my career and my faith that work together.”
“I’m at a crossroads and am torn between my passion and my career - 2 different things. Having a hard time discerning my mission and just what I’m here for!”
Is it possible that no matter where we find ourselves today there is a path to purpose that we've never experienced before?
Where do I personally find myself in these quotes? I’m relating to so many of the emotions in bold print above. You may or may not have heard the news that my husband, Tyler and I recently had to close down the coffee shop we owned and operated for almost seven years. This was an unexpected path that God had planned for our future all along but the closing was extremely unexpected by us!
Years ago our pastor shared with me a diagram that he drew on a napkin for me that will represent this principle of discovering God’s will along the path of life. I’d like to share it with you.
The small dot in the square represents the specifics of God’s will…who, what, when, where, how, etc. So often I find myself attempting to hit the dot like a bullseye. If I mentally process, get wise counsel, pray and read God’s Word, etc. I will be able to sharply see exactly what the will of God is and follow it. The gray box, though, is a different path to seek and discover. It represents our relationship with the Guide on the path who is our heavenly Father. Not only does He know the path for us, He created it for very special purposes. How freeing to realize that the way to follow God’s will and find His path is to stay closes to Him as our Guide. It takes so much pressure off to discover God’s perfect will for your life.
As you and I walk together down unexpected paths I’d like to remind you of one path that is always sure and available to us.Together let’s do some soulful navigation to find peace, hope and reassurance.
Embracing 3 Attitudes to Uncover a New Path
1. Seek Humility (“I don’t know, God. You do.”)
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6
2. Surrender Your Desires (Yielded and Trusting)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm 23:3b
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
3. Stay Connected to the Guide (Attentiveness)
My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.' Isaiah 30:21
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105
CONCLUSION:
Don’t focus so much on what you don’t know. Redirect your thoughts on WHO you DO know.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. Isaiah 26:3,4
If you want to know more about our Innova Coffee Story:
HERE is the story behind this dream.
HERE is the announcement we shared about the permanent closing.
