On November 11, 2011 I hosted "Putting on a new You. A time to Reflect, Renew, Redo" Retreat at Chateau Elan. That Retreat changed the trajectory of my life. Afterwards I knew that I was called to a purpose greater than myself and that it was time to step into it. I informed those closest to me at work that 2012 I would not be working there. Being a vessel that God move through to bring restoration, renewal and transformation changed me. Two weeks after the Retreat I wrote these thoughts in The Sanctuary on Facebook.
November 30, 2011
Today I am at a crossroads. I have to make a major decision that could affect me adversely or favorably. I have been offered an opportunity that I know will
allow me to have a peace of mind and allow me to work the "VISION" that God has placed in me. I want to make the right decision and have been praying as to which path to take.
If I say "NO", I will have stability but I will be miserable and unhappy. If I say
"YES" it will give me a peace of mind and allow me to work the "vision".
So the sensible, practical side of me is telling me to say "NO" and wait until all
things are "perfect". However, my spirit and heart is telling me to say "YES"
because it so desire to be in purpose.
I am pretty sure as the road I will take...and I know that it will require a true
test of my faith. So I wanted to share this with you today to say...that as you
work on your vision and move into and towards your purpose that there will be some hard decisions and choices that you will have to make. They may not seem rational, sane, or logical and you, along with people in your life, will doubt and even criticize your decision. But we have to know that when you are walking in purpose it is not easy....but you have to stand on what you know God is doing in you and that we have to have faith and believe in something bigger and greater than US!
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen.
After writing these words I did much praying, contemplating and a whole lot of talking with my husband. And we came to a conclusion and I shared the following with my fellow Sanctuarians on Facebook:
December 11, 2011
Well I have been quiet this week as I have had a lot going on personally and
professionally. I have experienced such a range of so many emotions and feelings that they have been at times overwhelming. But what's so ironic is that it all of it was and is working together for my "good". You ask how is that possible? Well the series of events that occurred in my "personal" life....convinced me that the decision I was making in "professional' life would be the best for all parts of me.
And since I have made the decision I have had so many feelings and to be transparent...I have had feelings of fear and anxiety. However I dare not succumb to these feelings. I have owned them and have cast them down. I will not let fear prevent me from taking the next step or the next one....if anything it has motivated me to press forward. What I learned this week is that fear will keep you in bondage...in situations, relationships and jobs that are toxic. But you stay in it because it may be all you know and it’s comfortable...but then eventually it becomes so toxic that you have no choice and it forces you out!
So with this enlightenment I took that LEAP OF FAITH and have officially made the first step into my "PURPOSE". I am so excited to see what God is going to do in the next season of my life.
And I did exactly that. On December 13, 2011 I resigned from my position as a Revenue Agent. I resigned from this position knowing that I would take a decrease in pay and benefits. My husband supported the decision however he and I were scared. I do not have to go into how this decision in the natural did not look like very wise. However, I felt in my spirit that this was necessary to do what was I purposed to do. You see that position although it appeared to be prestigious and lucrative, was extremely stressful and emotionally draining. And the salary was not commensurate to the duties that I was performing. But it was a good, stable, government job. Who wouldn't want this in this economy? In the natural I appeared to be very foolish to be leaving this job to work from home, making less. But when you are walking in Faith, you don’t believe in the natural you believe in the spiritual and the spiritual is the unseen. I took that LEAP OF FAITH not knowing what or who was there to catch me. All I knew was that I was "purpose motivated". I was tired of living the mundane and I was ready to live on purpose. Shortly thereafter, I began to have Friday Fellowship meetings in my home in January 20, 2012. I surrendered totally to the mantle placed on my life. I begin to slowly die to myself, my wants and desires. And I focused in on what God wanted for me. Meanwhile, after a few months the job that I took begin to undergo some major transitions that made me think that I made the wrong decision. But I didn't move. This is not to say I wasn't bothered by it. All the changes and disorganization almost consumed me, and I almost moved out of position. However Monte talked me off the ledge. I stayed in it and I stuck it out. I just went in harder, not losing focus on my purpose. Sacrificing my time and resources with one goal in mind, to share The Sanctuary to those who need a refuge, a place to meet and fellowship with the Almighty Father. It has taxed us physically, emotionally and financially. But I kept my eyes on the prize and the God inspired vision. I dealt with me and my emotions, the way I reacted to challenging situations, work and fertilized my fruit of the spirit which meant dealing with my flesh. I prayed for those who criticized me, offered and extended a reconciling hand to those who betrayed me only to have my hand slapped away or ignored. But despite that I remained focused and just sought the kingdom more and I am so glad that I made that choice as the harvest to come is amazing.
I had been interviewing, testing the water to see what was out there and I received a tip from a former co-worker about a lead that a leading technology company was hiring. I had applied before but didn't get a response. I reapplied and continued to grind away at all the Lord had tasked me with; stretching and challenging myself to the point of exhaustion. I kept moving. Now keep in mind, a few months earlier, I had the opportunity to be hired for this company but through a 3rd party at a much lower rate of pay. But after discussion with Monte we decided against it, so glad that I listened to my covering. Last month while I was in North Carolina doing my purpose work, I heard from the company and I had my first of three interviews. Once I arrived back in Georgia I was scheduled for my second interview. I really didn't think that interview went well as I was tired and out of sorts from the traveling but they approved me to the third interview. Two weeks later I had my last and final interview. I wasn't really confident in getting the job as I felt that I didn't do as well as I normally did in interviews. And I wanted this job, as this opportunity would allow me to do more for my family and The Sanctuary. The company is a Fortune 100 company and I would be working strictly from home. It was an awesome opportunity.
Shortly thereafter, I am notified that I am candidate and that a background check was necessary. So as I am waiting for the background check to be completed, doubt and unbelief tried to creep in. It seemed as though the background check was taking forever. But I remained faithful to what God placed in my hands. This brings me to this past weekend.
As I am preparing "The Sanctuary to GO Mobile" I was thrown every type of hindrance in trying to get to Charlotte, NC. I was beyond overwhelmed as I was preparing to leave, and my phone rung. It was the call I had been waiting for; it was the Hiring Manager offering the position at a salary that was more than we discussed in the interviews. I was completely floored at what God did. He fully restored me. I will be making double what I make at my current job. And not only that He blessed me with more. He has restored me back to what I was making five years ago before the downturn of the economy. Yes, God gave me double for my trouble plus total restoration and he did it almost to the date of my decision to take the leap of faith. Isn't God simply amazing? When I took that leap of faith I had no idea what was waiting for me at the bottom. All I knew was that I had to trust in the purpose and plan that God has for my life. So if he told me to LEAP in with FAITH I had to trust him. Not going to front I was scared as to what was at the bottom but God did not give me a spirit of fear and I took a giant leap and without fail; my strong, powerful all knowing Father was there to catch me. Selah.
Are you ready to take a Leap of Faith?
"No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly!"
(Psalm 84:11)
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