Being Satisfied Where You Are
-Dr. Shauna Mayo
Any person who has strived to be successful in their
career also looks for opportunities for advancement. I am no different in that
I, too, want to advance in the field of education. A few years ago, I learned a
valuable lesson from God through an experience that taught me to be satisfied
where I am until He tells me it’s time to move.
About four years ago, an opening became available in my
school that would have allowed me to advance into an administrative position. I
thought that I was prepared for this advancement. I had completed my doctorate
degree. I was knowledgeable about administrative duties because I had served in
the position of the Elementary Summer School Coordinator. I had established a
positive working relationship with the person whom I would be working with
every day. I was READY!! Interview day came and went and I never received a
phone call. I later learned that the position went to someone else who I knew
well, but whom I never expected would obtain the job. When I tell you I was HURT,
I cannot begin explain how I felt.
I began to question
myself. What did I say wrong in the interview? Was I too nervous? Why did that
person get selected? Was it because of friendship? All of these were questions
that I asked myself. When it was time to return to work for the new school
year, my wounds were still open and when people would say that they knew I
would get the job that just made matters even worst. It was hard for me to be
positive. I wanted to be the best teacher for my students, but for a long time
every day was a struggle. One day, the realization came to me that it was not
my time. There was more that God wanted me to learn. It’s as if He spoke to me
and said that He knew what was best for me and right now this was not it. After
this revelation, I began to return to what I would call my “normal” self and
began to settle into what was a good school year.
What did I learned from
this experience, you may ask. Well, I learned that it was not in my time.
Things happen in God’s time no matter how badly we may want them to happen
right now. It’s unfortunate that we have become a right now generation.
Sometimes, it seems that not only do we lose patience with ourselves, we lose
it with God. We may obtain all of the
degrees in the world and make all of the right connections, but if it’s not
your time, then it’s just not your time. My reasons for seeking that position
were for my own self-satisfaction and my own aspirations. I was looking for
everyone to say how fast I had progressed in education, in spite of being in
the field for a relatively short time. Isaiah 55:8 states “For my thoughts are
not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” This tells us that what we
want and what God wants for us are not the same. It also lets me know that God
only wants the best for me and all of us, His children.
What are you aspiring
for today? Have you experienced disappointment? Is it for your own personal
satisfaction? Well, please know that
it’s okay to want the desires of our heart. God tells us that. However, He also
reminds us in Proverbs 3:6 to “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall
direct thy paths.” When we put God first, He makes everything else possible. I
was not doing that. I was looking at the outward appearance of what this job
would bring me. We have to learn to look for the lesson in each experience in
our lives, good or bad. Sure, we are going to feel disappointment at time in
certain situations because we are human. But, we do not have to dwell in that
disappointment. Always know that your better is coming.
Today, I have moved to
a different position and I must say that obtaining the position was not
difficult. I know that for now, this is where God wants me to me because I
still have some things to learn. When I have learned those lessons, He will
allow me to be moved to my next place. The same holds true for you. I encourage
you to be happy where you are. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Use the
gifts that God has given to you to make others better when you leave them than
when you found them. Be satisfied and continue to praise God in all that
happens.
Thanks for reading this
inspirational message from our guest blogger.
Please share this with a colleague who may need to hear this heartening word.
Please enjoy the weekly
song, “Born for This” by Stephanie Mills.
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