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Vision Perspective

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. Proverbs 4: 25-27 (NLT)

The feelings of frustration started cropping up about how things were being handled at my workplace. After being there a while, I knew the processes well. There were decisions made and actions taken that didn’t make sense to me regarding my job. The different departments I closely worked with were not prioritizing our shared work as they had in the past. I expressed my irritation to a coworker who agreed, but she also reminded me “not your vision”. Being caught up in the office activities and my irritation, I had forgotten that mantra. Losing sight momentarily of my vision had made me veer off the path.

Several months ago this type of frustration cropped up. I realized that I was working in someone else’s vision temporarily. Their choices made about their vision were for their vision. When I got bothered about the choices made, I had to let it go. The statement I came up with at that moment was “Not my vision”. Saying or thinking this to myself made it easy to get back on track, let things go, and move on.

This current frustration wasn’t different from before, I was just so caught up in it. What God eventually impressed on me was “do not build a brick house in a campground”. I pictured in my mind building such a substantial structure as a brick house in a campground that is usually a place for a brief visit. I had to laugh at myself because I was there for a season. The season may last longer than expected, but it is just that, a season. It occurred to me that I was beginning to take ownership and invest too much emotional energy into a vision that was not mine. I was to work for a season in someone else’s vision before moving fully into my own. There was more to learn before moving on confident that a person’s steps are directed by the Lord…(Proverbs 20:24). The workplace frustration and irritation minimized as I refocused on God and kept walking on the path of my vision.

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The Good of Every Day

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Lately, I have been feeling weighed down by the circumstance of the current season. The struggle to see past these circumstances dampened my spirit. It was time to refer to Philippians 4:8. Not only am I thinking about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy, I am looking for those things in everything.

In this season, I had to find the good of every day. It took effort, but I pushed myself to find it. Anything from a beautiful flower, hearing the voice of a good friend or simply feeling blessed to get out of bed in the morning qualifies. My mission reduced the weighed down feeling. I then began to share my good of every day also asking friends and family about their good. My hope was to share the good and perhaps help someone else find the good of every day.

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Don’t Fight the Seasons

While talking on the phone with a friend of mine, her fiance sent her a text. The text detailed the outsourcing of jobs at his workplace starting this summer. I immediately asked her if her fiance was effected by this. As soon as I asked the question, I said
“Don’t fight the seasons. If the season is over for this job then just go with it. God is moving him on to something bigger and better. Fighting the seasons is like fighting your blessings and God’s plan for your life.”

Ecclesiastes. 3:1 says For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…

It reminded me of a job where I was originally hired as a temp for six months. That job lasted for three years. During that three years I was diagnosed and went through treatment for cancer (a season of illness). At that time, I had no health insurance because of my temporary job status (a season of financial overwhelm). The majority of my treatment was over when I was informed of my job loss. I understood the season was over. The job did what it was supposed to do in the time frame it lasted. As a single mom in the fight of my life, it kept a roof over our heads and food on the table. I didn’t fight it. I was at peace. The job no longer belonged to me and no longer needed my involvement. The assignment was over. Since God was and is my provider, He would move me on to the next opportunity.

Management seemed surprised by my sense of peace with this news. They frequently questioned me about my response. I had peace that surpassed all understanding (Philippians 4:7). I trusted God. He was and is my provider. I later approached the Director who approved the extended time. I told her the season was over. I was thankful and appreciative for the time I was there. I was especially grateful for the support while going through my season of illness.

After a couple of months of job searching, I interviewed for a long term temp position with a different company. I was unsure this opportunity would materialize. A couple of days later, I was offered full-time employment with health benefits which was a blessing. God worked it out. Understand that every event and experience is seasonal which helps you to move forward. God is moving you to learn the next lesson and become who you need to become. He is moving you into what He has for you.