Sunday, February 15, 2009

A Challenge

Today in church, we sang a song called "Center". I have heard the song before, but hadn't paid much attention to the lyrics. The lyrics to this song are pretty simple, but the message they convey is such an incredible challenge. If everyone made this their prayer and truly tried to live it out, I think this world would be such a different place. It is easy to claim that Christ is at the center of our lives, but if people were to ask our families, friends, and co-workers, would they testify to that based on our actions? I know many days my words and actions don't support that claim, unfortunately. It was a challenge to me today to really make a conscious effort to live life with Christ at the center, and I welcome anyone to take on this challenge with me. I've included a link to a video of the song for those who want to hear it. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuX4bSHfDvs

Sunday, February 01, 2009

The 5 Year Plan...or lack thereof

Happy 2009, everybody!! I know it's about a month late, but better than never, right? I have been meaning to update this for a few weeks now, but I didn't know how to piece it all together...I did in fact get accepted into the online Masters program for youth ministry through Huntington University. I was scheduled to start in December, but I started to have doubts about whether or not this was the right time in my life for taking on this new challenge. I was right. I called and cancelled enrollment, and they were very accomadating and said maybe I could start up some semester later on...and I think that at some point, that really is something I would like to consider.



I had just reached a point where I felt like everything was coming off the tracks. I was unhappy with my job, stressed out, etc. etc. I knew I had to do something different or else I would just continue to be a thoroughly unpleasant person to be around :) So I quit my job with the support of my parents and no back up plan other than keep working 2 nights a month. I searched tirelessly for jobs, but I really wanted out of the hospital setting, so that quickly narrowed my options. I had a couple interviews here and there, but none were really jobs I was interested in. My personal favorite part of an interview (for a job i knew when i got there i didn't want), was when the person asked me where I saw myself in five years. I sat there for a second, looked at her and told her the truth....I don't really know. I don't really make plans like that because five years ago, I would never have thought I'd be where I am now. I'm pretty sure that caught her off guard. :)



This is the really fun part...I did finally get a job AND I think I'm going to really like it!!! It's for a health coaching company out of Franklin. I didn't think so when I started, but after two weeks of training, I think this is going to be a sort of foundation for change. I felt like I had hit a brick wall, but now I'm excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. I want to eat better, I want to exercise...not because I have to or feel forced to, but because the environment I'm working in puts that desire in me. They encourage wellness in every aspect of your life and I love that. It's different walking into work and people are smiling, they don't look like they want to jump off a cliff...it's so different and so nice. I could elaborate on all these points, but I will stop for now, because I'm going to need some material for later entries.



Everybody needs a general life plan of some sort, but I wouldn't be too detailed with it. God's got a sense of humor, and that means a lot of our plans change. So if you don't know where you'll be in five years or what you'll be doing, that's OK, just let go, have some faith, and see where God has you land...you may just like it! Happy travels!