A few weeks before Christmas last year, I heard the Holy Spirit tell me very plainly, to “Stop Moving.”
Now leading up to this moment I was dealing with a lot of unrest triggered by a number of things – more specifically, my career aspirations. Prior to this moment I was the ultimate “networker” setting up meetings with various colleagues, reaching out to recruiters for job opportunities, requesting advice from mentors and spending several hours every night browsing the internet for open roles. To some this may sound like I am being “proactive”, claiming or speaking into existence the job that I want. However, what I was really doing, [embarrassingly] was putting more faith in myself than in God.
I was consumed with getting to a new role quickly, I wanted a change and in my eyes nothing was moving fast enough.
Now I’ll pause the story – As a disciple of Christ, I knew this was not of God. I knew everything that I was trying within my own might was completely outside of the will of God. How did I know? Because nothing moved! Nearly every job application that I submitted was rejected, or if I did receive a call for an interview I did not move to the next stage. So you can imagine the distress I was feeling at this point.
Back to the story – When I heard the Spirit tell me “stop moving” at this point I was exhausted! Tired. Drained. I felt so much fatigue – mental and physical depletion from all the late nights and networking – that I couldn’t do anything more than to say Yes. The Spirit then reminded me that I had become so consumed in the process of job hunting that I stopped spending time with Him.
I asked “What would you like me to do, Lord?” He said for 21 days, starting tonight, read your bible before you go to sleep and in the morning before you leave for work.
Pause – On top of my work schedule I was juggling a busy schedule in the evenings and waking up early to go to the gym – so of course I started thinking, “I’m already depleted of energy, but okay Lord.”
That night I stopped applying for jobs, I stopped reaching out to people. I just focused on God and read my bible.
The following day I attended Fusion, young adult night at Victory World Church, and I had a verbal confirmation from God of my obedience. Pastor David challenged the audience to try and spend a week of studying His word, and I smiled inside because I knew that was God saying, “Yep, keep going.”
Each day and each night I read my bible, prayed and began experiencing an incredible amount of peace. I began to feel like this weight that I had been carrying, this pressure I put on myself, was being lifted. God reminded me that my success in life isn’t dictated or measured by the title that I have on my resume. He also reminded me to stay off social media because comparing my journey to others wasn’t going to help me either.
As the week went on I received a LinkedIn invitation from a manager who was hiring for a new role on his team. You can imagine my disbelief. I did a double take, re-read the message because out of the thousands of people on LinkedIn, he reached out to me? He saw my profile, thought that my background could be a match and wanted to meet for coffee.
Now we did have in common that we worked for the same company, so it was easy to meet over coffee, and I shared that I am open to hearing more. I didn’t lose my focus though, I continued my 21 days of prayer and spending time with God. Another week or so went by and a recruiter calls me, telling me about how well the coffee chat was and they would like to keep interviewing me for this role on the team.
I couldn’t believe it, I had NOT sent sent them a single document, resume, nothing! I had not even applied for the job or anything. I was beyond surprised.
By the end of my 21 days I was extended a job offer in a role that I am so thrilled to be in a year later, Employment Branding Specialist! How incredible is our God, thank you Jesus.
When my 21 days ended, I journaled about all the wonderful gifts that I experienced through this period of silence and rest; and I’d like to share just a few of them with you.
Hearing from God- My relationship with Him has grown stronger than ever. I know God’s word. I know when He’s speaking, and I continue to learn more about Him each day. Scripture Reading: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. — Jeremiah 33:3
Obedience- I am intentional about my actions – more aware of when I am responding within the will of God and not by my own accord. Obedience is better than sacrifice and He rewards me every time I listen and obey. Scripture Reading: Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice. — 1 Samuel 15:22
Let Go and Trust God- This was so important for me because I was always in a constant state of motion, always having to do or say something. I became exhausted, deplete of energy. This period of silence allowed me to learn that I didn’t need to run to my mentor for help, I didn’t need to call my parents or friends to get their opinions on what to do. I was led to no other place than my Source, my Prince of Peace, my Heavenly Father. Scripture Reading(s): Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. — Matthew 11:28 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. — Psalm 9:10
So as I write this testimony I am reminded of just how much I have grown spiritually. Learning to Let Go and Trust God is a daily reminder that I set for myself. If I do my part everything else will work out according to His plan, so I know there's no need to worry. No need to stress or complain and if there are moments where I need the opinion or advice of others, I’ve learned to go to Him first in prayer and move as He commands.
I pray that this touches your heart to receive what the Lord wants to reveal to you in His plans for your life whether it's in your career aspirations, business ventures, new relationships and more.
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