A little over two years ago, I moved to the Central New Jersey shore area, and God changed my life overnight, or at least that’s how it felt to me.
Before the move, I had spent the past three years working for myself. I loved the freedom that came with running my own business and having the ability to set my schedule.
The type of clients I had varied, and I knew that I was of value to them, yet, something was missing.
As an extrovert, I did not enjoy all of the alone time. I missed that sense of community and collaboration with like-minded colleagues. I was also weary of the unpredictability that often comes during the first five years of starting a new business. My income sometimes fluctuated, making it difficult to plan and save money. Do not get me wrong, I knew that I was blessed. After leaving a full-time job with no strategic plan, God provided me with clients who kept me self-employed for over three years. Yet, deep down in my heart, I knew there was more.
God created US for a significant purpose.
I began to question God, asking Him about my next career move. My specific question was, What should I do for the next phase of my life?
You see, folks, your life isn’t an accident. You have a purpose that only you can fulfill. The Bible says, “All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was 1 day old” (Psalm 139:16 NCV).
Ephesians 2:10 declares, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (NLT).
Before birth, God gave you a unique mixture of spiritual gifts, passions, abilities, personalities, and experiences. There’s no one like you in the entire universe because, in part, there’s no one with your distinct blend of talents. It’s why your destiny is so individual. Before you were born, God wired you with particular ambitions, desires, and drives to play a role in history in expanding His Kingdom. It’s an assignment that only you can play. It’s your destiny; not your mother’s, not your father’s, not your husband’s or wife’s or even pastor’s destiny; it’s yours!
Faith Requires Action
But here’s the painful part: You can miss God’s calling for your life. People do it all the time. You can go through your entire life and miss God’s purpose for your life — because getting to your destiny will require hard work and cause you to step into the field of the unknown. Often, you will be required to take a leap of faith without being able to predict or plan the outcome.
Expect the process to be challenging. I can guarantee you that it will take work. There will be a lot of bumps throughout the process, but the trials are also a part of the journey as they help to strengthen your faith.
That journey begins with two crucial steps. (1) Saying “yes” to God and His plans for you and then (2) taking that first step. Faith Requires Action!
I recently read a book called “Extreme Prayer” by Greg Pruett. In the book, the author explains that the Hebrew root word from which we get the biblical idea of faith means “to consider something to be solid even though it is unseen.”
As far as God is concerned, your faith begins when you take that first step. We show our faith in Him through our actions.
Moving into your destiny will require you to get off the boat like Peter did and do what God told you to do. Forget about what your friends are saying. Forget about what others may think about your decision. Again, we’re talking about your destiny, not theirs!
When you take the step of faith, do not expect God to give you the entire plan; He rarely does. My journey has taught me that God does not operate that way. He tends to give us just enough instruction to make that first step. The Holy Spirit rarely gives us the detailed plan because we couldn’t handle it. We cannot “see” the big picture, and our doubts and insecurities contrast with how He sees us. It happens time and time again. So many people abort the call on their lives because of their word choices and lack of vision.
Just Ask!
If you are still determining whether you are making the correct move, ask Him! There have been times in the past when I wasn’t sure whether God or I was doing the directing. So, I would say, “God, I believe that you are leading me down this path, so I will do what I think you are telling me to do. If I am going down the wrong path, please correct me.”
Again, the key is not having the entire plan mapped out; the key is taking that first step to unlock the door.
So, back to my story. After three years of being self-employed, I began to think that it was time to do something different, and I began to question God, asking him about my next career move.
Do you want to get God’s attention? Quote His words back to Him. I prayed, “Lord, can you please share some of your thoughts and plans (Jeremiah 29:11) for my life? What do you want me to do? What are my next steps as far as a career is concerned?”
Well, God answered me when, over two years ago, my favorite client offered me a full-time position with his company. For a small global company, it was a God-sized offer.
Being that it was such a great offer, would I accept it? Well, that was far from the truth. I hesitated and wasn’t sure if I should take the offer. Taking the job required that I move from Philadelphia to Central New Jersey.
Okay, so it’s not like I moved across the country, but it was still a significant change. Plus, New Jersey was never on my top list of places I could imagine living. Significant changes, even the good ones, always evoke a range of emotions. At that time, I was in my early 50s and moving was not a consideration. I’d have to leave my friends, family, and wonderful neighborhood. I hesitated, thinking, Who makes that kind of move at my age? It’s not like I was in my 20s or 30s. I was trying to decide what to do and told my client I would think about it during the weekend and get back to him.
Be Open for What You Have Prayed For
On the drive back to Philly, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and reminded me that I had been praying for a change. God was 100 percent continuing to direct my path just as He had done three years ago when the company’s owner became my first client after I left my job.
So, almost two years ago, I packed up my home and moved to Central New Jersey. I work full-time as the Director of Organizational Development and Logistics for a family-owned manufacturing company.
I continue to see God’s favor all over my life. I enjoy my job and work with great people. The icing on the cake is that I live eight short blocks from the beach, fulfilling a childhood fantasy I have had since grade school.
I’m now in Phase Three of this season of my faith walk. Phase 1 involved leaving my full-time job and chartering into the unknown, while Phase 2 was centered on my move from Philly to the Jersey Shore area and closing my consulting business to work as a full-time employee with my former client.
- Phase 3 is now beginning to unfold. I am enjoying my life tremendously and have minimal if any, stress. The summers are particularly lovely because of the proximity to the ocean. Plus, I get to bless others by offering my home to friends, family, and women who need a place to retreat. God continues to bless me tremendously, yet deep down inside, I know there is more. A few years ago, I began to ask God what my ultimate purpose is for being here at the Jersey Shore.
I’m trying to say that I am clear that God did not bless me with this great opportunity; have me pack up my world and leave my family and friends all for my benefit! I am 100 percent sure that this move is not about me.
Are you Doing Your Part in Promoting The Kingdom of God?
God gives each of us a unique purpose in fulfilling the Great Commission. We all have a part to play in advancing HIS Kingdom. I’m finally at the point where I am stepping out in faith and fighting back the fear. Sure, at times, I still feel uncomfortable and out of my element. The vision is too big and is way over my head. However, I will no longer make excuses, ignoring the soft voice that constantly whispers “take the step” in my ear. I trust that as I am obedient in responding to His voice, my darling Ishi will continue to direct me.
Remember, do not think you must have the whole plan mapped out before you begin moving! The key to breakthrough to your divine purpose requires action on your part. Your role is to say “yes” to God, pray for His direction, and begin to move! I promise you that He will provide you with guidance. He’s done it for me repeatedly and will do the same for you!
Just begin to move!!!
Whatever task, assignment, or project you are supposed to be doing, it’s time to begin moving now! Have faith. Trust Him. And believe that He keeps His promises!!
A summary of Hebrews 11 vs 1-11.
“The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living.”
It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith distinguished our ancestors, setting them above the crowd. By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word; what we see is created by what we don’t see. By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. What he believed, not what he brought, made the difference. That’s what God noticed and approved as righteous.
By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. “They looked all over and couldn’t find him because God had taken him.” We know because of reliable testimony that before he was taken “he pleased God.” It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe that He exists and cares enough to respond to those who seek Him.
By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.
By faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left, he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith, he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the city designed and built by God.
By faith, barren Sarah could become pregnant, an older woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what He said!
What About You?
So, now I’m turning my attention to you. I’ve shared examples of my faith walks, and we’ve looked at biblical examples of faith stories.
My question to you is: What has God placed in your heart? What dreams are you holding on to but have been too afraid to act on because of a lack of money, family commitments, fear, or any other excuse?
Just like Peter had to, it’s time for you to get off the boat!
Pray to God. Ask Him to lead you, and I promise that he will be there with you every step of the way!
It’s faith and action that He wants from you! Stop doubting and second-guessing; it’s time to move!
In the section below, write one or two steps you will take. Make sure that you include a target date to have that action completed.
Step #1
Step #2
Remember, Psalm 23. God promised He would guide you just as the shepherd guides his sheep. You make the first move, Believe, and hold Him to His promises!
Feel free to share your action steps with me and I’ll be sure to keep you in prayer and help hold you accountable!