I recently asked myself about the things I'd like to change about my life.
I'd like to make more money, work less hours, and have health insurance.
I'd like more time to devote to writing. In fact, I'd also like to already be a published author, and I'd like to have at least a modest following...or a not so modest following....
I'd like to get married and adopt some kids.
The problem with all of these things I'd like to change is, well, I can't have them without change.
I have ups and downs, but right now, I'm genuinely happy with the life I have. I go to an amazing church with amazing people who serve one another out of godly love for one another. I have so many friends that love me so well. I have four jobs that, yes, add stress and pay little, but are also tremendous blessings. My coworkers are remarkable, encouraging people. I love this little town I live in. I love this life I have.
And I'm very afraid of change--especially when I love my life as much as I do.
I know I've got to eventually find some other means of employment than what I'm currently doing. The four job thing divides my loyalty and eats away my time and gives me extra stress. I'm barely making ends meet and I have no insurance benefits. I always owe $$$ on my taxes because my having multiple jobs confuses the whole system. But I don't want to quit any of the jobs I currently have. My coworkers and bosses are extraordinary, caring people who appreciate me and the work that I do. I know they value me, and it makes me feel guilty to even consider leaving them. I know sometimes it's important to think about myself and my needs, but I just love the kids and families I work with, I just love my coworkers and bosses. I don't want things to change, even though I know they're eventually going to change.
If I become a published author, it is quite possible (and probable) that my life won't change all that much. Most authors don't make enough to live on without having a "real job" or a "real spouse with a real job." But I know that part of me would really like to be a somewhat popular author--at least in certain circles. I don't know if that will ever happen, but I'd like it to. And if it does, then that might mean I won't have time for all of the jobs I currently work. It will mean that I will have to free my schedule for other things--such as book signing tours? Yes, please. Except--I'm not sure how I'd adapt to such changes. I'm not sure how I would handle the life of an author, even if I'm not at all famous or popular.
And being single is something I've gotten pretty used to. If this blog that I want to start up ever happens, I will be writing it from the perspective of a single woman in the church (and fyi, that doesn't make it a "single's blog"). I know God is using me as a single woman right now to speak to some specific problems I've noticed in attitudes (both of single people and married people) within the church. God's given me a different perspective on things that has come about partly because I am a single woman in her thirties. And apart from all of that, I've just had a really long time to get used to being single. I don't know what being in a relationship would look like right now. I don't know what being married would look like right now. I don't know what going through the process of adoption would look like right now. I don't know what being a parent would look like right now. I know that if God wanted me to be in a relationship, a marriage, a family, then He would provide for that--but I can't pretend that I'm not a little afraid to make the necessary changes to my lifestyle, my way of thinking, etc.
I love my life. I love my life as it is.
What scares me is that I know there are going to be some big changes in my life in the next few months whether I like it or not. I don't have any choice in that matter. As for other matters, almost every other matter in my life, I do have choices. I have so many open-ended choices of what I could be doing, where I could be living, where I could be working, and which friends/family I could be closer to (location-wise). I don't like choices. I'm more comfortable when someone is telling me what I should do. Sometimes I really wish that God would just give me a nice ten year life plan to look at.
God does give direction, but He mostly just likes to watch me sweat and wait till the last minute to give me that direction. It's not because He gets some kind of perverse delight out of that; it's because He loves me. It's because He wants me to trust Him. It's because He knows I'm the kind of person who likes to see the whole path before I take the first step. He doesn't lead me like that. He turns out the lights, takes my hand, and leads me through the darkness, one step at a time.
In other words, I won't know what I'm supposed to do until it's time to do it. And He'll provide for me when that time comes.
So I know change is coming. And I believe it will be good change. I don't necessarily like the fact that change is coming, but I'm at peace. I'm at peace because I know the Lord is making my paths straight, even if I can't see those paths.
I don't need to see the whole path. I just need to focus on the things I know to do, and be obedient.
Right now, I need to work on my writing and editing a lot more.
Right now, I need to make sure I'm going to sleep early enough to get up in the morning and have good, meaningful time with God.
Right now, I need to stop whining about how it's too cold to go running and just go get on the elliptical instead.
Right now, I need to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God.
Right now, I need to love and serve others more than I focus on how others love and serve me.
Right now, I need to wait and trust.
This world is uncertain. Things are always changing, whether I like it or not. I'm always changing.
The reason why I can trust God through all of it is because He is the One Thing that never changes.
Question: What are some things you'd like to change about your life? Are you willing to have other things change in your life in order to have those changes take place?
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