“God is moving you from A to B. You just don’t know where B is. There is an undercurrent of movement.”

Even as I said those words to her, they penetrated my heart. I’ve been feeling my own undercurrent of movement in recent weeks.

Initially I focused on “B.” The next thing and the steps to get me there. Actually “focus” might be a strong word. “Considered” is probably more accurate. That was short lived because when you don’t know where you’re going, it’s impossible to know how to get there.

I think I need to say that again.

“When you don’t know where you’re going, it’s impossible to know how to get there.”

This runs completely counter to our culture and the need to have a well defined plan. And maybe sometimes it runs counter to God’s leading. Remember Abraham? He didn’t know where he was going when he left Ur. He simply listened to God for each step of the journey. And he was found faithful.

When I left the Chamber three years ago to start my own business, I left out of a sense of calling. From A to an unknown B. An undercurrent of movement. I didn’t exactly know where I was going, and I certainly didn’t know how to get there. I took one step at a time, and allowed God to lead me along the way, opening some doors and closing others. God poured out His blessings in ways I couldn’t imagine.

Now there’s another shift. I wish I could tell you more, but I don’t have anything else to go by at the moment. And there are at least two areas of my life where this might apply. I’m listening to God for the next step. From A to an unknown B. An undercurrent of movement.

What about you?
What do you do when you sense an undercurrent of movement? How have you handled times of moving from A to an unknown B? Are you feeling an undercurrent of movement in your life at the moment?

It’s about ministry.

My speaking, my facilitation, my writing all ignite my passion when I’m able to use those gifts in ministry-related settings. When I can incorporate faith-based principles into content, when I can pray with groups about their direction and purpose and use Scripture to encourage people – those are the times when I’m most alive!

That may be all I know for sure at the moment.

It’s scary because the mere suggestion that I want to work with churches, ministry organizations and Christ followers who are business owners/business professionals has the potential to alienate me from a lot of great folks I’ve met and worked with in the last two years. Nonetheless, I know this is where I’m heading. My whole life has been moving towards this.

I still have a ton of questions like:

• What specific areas of work make the most sense for me?
• How do I balance my desire to serve with my desire to contribute to my family?
• With a finite amount of time available, how do I spend my time wisely in order to get the best possible return – from a kingdom perspective and from a financial perspective?
• What are the next steps I should be taking?
• How do I balance the need to plan and follow that plan, with the need to follow the voice of the One who said, “go to a land I will show you,”?

For now, it’s just one step at a time. Starting with this blog post.

What about you?
When has God called you to a new thing and how have you navigated that time in your life? In your business? In your ministry? (I really want to hear your feedback on this one!)

(Creative Commons graphic on Flickr by Purpleslog.)

Transition is Hard
If you’ve ever gone through childbirth (as the one giving birth or the one assisting), you know that transition is the most difficult time of all. The pain is more intense; it comes more frequently, and lasts for longer periods of time. It’s also the most critical. The way we approach transition shapes not only the process, but the outcome as well.

Maybe you’re in a time of transition right now. You’ve been laid off, a casualty of your company’s response to the economy. Or maybe you’re about to be and you’re just waiting for the other shoe to fall. Maybe you’re facing a move to a new location because you’ve found a job in another area. Whatever the case, this time of transition can be painful.

If you’ve built your identity around your job, chances are you’re facing an identity crisis in the midst of your transition.

My Own Transition
Last week I emailed a few close friends to ask them to be praying for me as I further refine God’s call on my life, my business, my writing and speaking. For the last few months, I’ve been sensing the approach of transition and I can’t quite see what’s around the corner. Or if I stick with the childbirth analogy, I can’t see the head crowning.

I enjoy working with groups and speaking. I’m energized when I facilitate sessions on behavioral preferences, social media, or generational differences in the church. I like blogging about business, social media, faith and family. I’ve written a couple of children’s stories that have been particularly meaningful to kids in transition/crisis. I love sharing my faith journey with others. But it all seems sort of frenetic.

I’m in transition and frankly, it’s a bit scary. I’m reminded of my son, Morgan. A little more than 11 years ago, he was almost born on the sidewalk of Virginia Baptist Hospital. I’m not kidding. My transition was hard and fast. I didn’t have time for drugs and I was screaming.

I feel a little bit like that now.

Wise Words
This morning, I received an email from Kelli, one of the friends I emailed last week. She sent me the following words (I’ve slightly edited for space) from God, taken from the Bible yet personalized for me. And they blessed me. Maybe they will bless you as well.

“Cheryl, I created you for my pleasure (Ephesians 1:3-8), not because of what you could do for me or what you would accomplish (Romans 4:3) but simply because I love you (Isaiah 43:4).  Even before I made the world, I loved you and chose you (Ephesians 1:4)…Believe me and let me delight in you (Psalm 147:11). Make me your treasure (Isaiah 33:6). And know that this blessing is forever (2 Samuel 7:28, 29).”

Here’s What I Know
My friend’s email blessed me because it was straight from the heart of God. She didn’t try to share her own biased opinion. She’s wise enough to know that God’s word accomplishes what He intends.

My identity isn’t tied into my personal brand. Hmmm. Even as I write those words, there’s a sense of freedom. My identity is in Christ. Plain and simple. I don’t have to brand myself perfectly to God. He created me. He knows everything about me. And He loves me just the way I am. If you’re facing a career transition, remember that your identity (your worth) isn’t tied into your job, your employer or your paycheck.

There might be more to unpack. If so, I’ll save that for another post.

What About You
Are you in a time of transition? Where are you seeking counsel? Who is praying for you during this time? Are you trying to tie your personal brand or your career into your identity? And if none of those apply to you, how are you being the kind of friend to others who blesses in the midst of transition?

Since I started my own business, I’ve been so worried (stressed lately) about the direction and which way I should go. This morning when I was having my quiet time, I was really praying for God’s guidance. I remembered a Bible verse in the recesses of my mind that said, “He teaches us in the way we should go.” (or is it ways?)

That parenthetical question led me to my concordance to look up way and ways to see if I could find the exact verse. Then it hit me…”way” Isaiah 30:21. As I was reading, “your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘this is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”

So here I am these last few weeks, in a state of self-imposed limbo, because I wasn’t exactly sure what my business model should look like – corporate focused (which up front pays the bills and helps provide for the family) or faith based (which is where my heart is).

The truth is, they don’t have to be mutually exclusive and God will be whispering to me along the way, or maybe even shouting, “no Cheryl – this way!” or perhaps, “You’re on the right path. Keep moving in this direction.”

The picture is of God, speaking directly to me when I start to get off course. He’s there, filling my ears with his directions, guidance, leadership. Because He loves me. He’s faithful. And He’s the One who called me into this business in the first place.

When was the last time you cried? And why?

P.S. Jon Swanson gave me the idea to take a picture of my journal. You should check out some of his stuff.