A graduation.
An incredible trip.
A new job.
A wedding.
A honeymoon
A lot of time and energy devoted to a great ministry.
& a lot of time spent with good friends.
2016. What can I say? A lot of people have been hard on you, but I can't really complain.
That's not to say everything was sunshine and roses. But for every hard moment, for every hopeless situation, 2016 was the year where I truly started to understand how you find freedom when you learn to let go.
In my case, that meant facing, coming to terms with, and releasing a lot of anxiety related to my career. Because somewhere along the line, without meaning to or even noticing, my career became a big part of my identity. It wasn't so much the specific job so much as it was what that meant. As unhappy as I was at my previous job, it was secure. It was full-time, I had benefits and vacation and it paid well - especially compared to what was out there when I started looking.
But, happy or not, the bills needed to be paid. So I stayed. And I started looking.
I polished up my resume and wrote cover letters. I applied to other places and did about half a dozen interviews. I didn't cry tears (often) but I did spend a lot of time crying out to God, looking for answers. I tried to keep everything in perspective - maybe there was something I was supposed to learn and that's why it was taking so long - but most of the time, I was just...sad.
It took almost 10 months from the start of my job search to get an interview for my new job. The call with the offer came almost a month later. I've cycled through a lot of emotions since then - the initial excitement, the relief that came with finally, FINALLY being able to move forward, a little anxiety about starting a new thing - but reflecting on the whole situation now, the overwhelming feeling is one of peace.
Because, not because of my current circumstances, but because of the truth past circumstances reveal in hindsight. Those 10 months were hard. But when I look back at it now, I can see why things had to go the way they did. It didn't just teach me patience - it also reminded me of something I think I forgot: the best God can do will always be better than the best I can do. And he always, always wants what is best for me.
So that's my takeaway from 2016. It was a lesson learned the very hard way, but that's the way it goes sometimes. I'm not sure what's in store for 2017, but 14 days in, I'm feeling optimistic.
Hebrews 12:1-2
