" See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit." - Ephesians 5: 15-18 NKJV

I thought I had it all figured out. Do good in school, graduate college, pass the board exams and then I’m home free. I’m a woman of procedure and so I studied hard, got my diploma and just turned into a duly licensed therapist. But, something’s amiss. How come I’m not yet home free? I believed I got through the biggest hurdle of my life, and that is getting my professional license. No one ever warned me that that license didn’t apply to life. I thought that was my passport to a smooth sailing life. I maybe a professional occupational therapist but I’m far from being a professional in figuring out my life. I’m in for a very interesting ride.

“ What next?” is the reverberating question I ask myself nowadays. I know you guys are unanimously thinking: “ get a job bimbo!” Yes, I’ve considered that option, and yes, I’m working on it. Believe it or not I busied myself in accomplishing all the requirements needed. But as I was bustling around trying to get all these things done, a line from a book slowed me down. “ It is usually meaningless work, not overwork, that wears us down, saps our strength and robs our joy.1” (I’m actually having footnotes here, woohoo! He he) That line got to me… hard! I didn’t want to end up complaining what a lousy job I have. I didn’t like the idea that the sole motivator of me going to work was the monetary compensation. That simply did not appeal to me.

I have reached that valley of decision. No matter how much I try to ignore it, I am not getting any younger and I need to grow up. Get the picture: a small girl in a very Big Bad world. Winona was right...Reality Bites! But no matter how hard it bites, I have to face it. The good news is I need not face it alone. And never will I deal with any circumstance unaided. “ I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go…I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” -Genesis 28:15 NIV Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) and His promises remain true till this very day.

This world values success more than any other. But success doesn’t necessarily spell out H-A-P-P-I-N-E-S-S. That’s a common misconception that this world has, they interchangeably use these two words. I beg to differ. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my exciting Christian walk, it’s this: You may look far and wide but you won’t be finding long lasting happiness anywhere. True happiness and success can only come from its purest source… Jesus Christ. The only thing you will get from this world is disappointment, disappointment, disappointment, Oh! And did I mention disappointment? “ I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33 NIV Point taken? J Good.

Guess, what I’m doing now? I’m temporarily putting all the résumé’s and application letters aside, and I’m putting more priority on finding out where the Lord would really want me to be. That way you guys will be spared from the constant and unending complains on how lousy my job is for the next five or ten issues of Singled Out.

It’s not just about making it big in this life; it’s about making a difference. Not just finding a job, but living out your purpose. Go ahead and ask God to reveal to you what you need to do, where you need to be and who you need to be with. If there’s one thing a Father loves, it’s when his children fondly say: “Daddy, daddy can I ask you something?” He’s all ears, I tell you.

1Warren, Rick. “The Purpose Driven Life. What on Earth Am I here for?” p. 33. OMF literature. 2002.