Continued from BLOG: THE CALL (3)
Saying Yes: Inward to Ourselves – Bumpy Road
Although we may not admit it, when we say yes to God there is generally some thought of reward or consolation. Like when advancing ones educational credentials the expectation is upward mobility and increased monetary compensation. You put in the effort you anticipate getting back something. Just as I graduated with my designation I was handed a pink slip from the company where I had worked for twenty-seven years. 
Good God, what on earth!? God had called me to this?
For years I had laboured to get my certification. When I wasn’t working I had filled every time slot: studying in the early mornings, at lunches, in the evenings, on weekends. My employer had allocated a weekly number of work hours to accommodate for study time but I never worked any fewer hours, I simply juggled them around. At home my husband took on the brunt of child-ferrying duties – he was the one who assured our kids got to their programs. I missed family events. He and our daughters attended without me. And I ended up at a therapy clinic with back problems because I spent so much time sitting at a computer. What value in securing a designation – the investment of time, energy and money with all the associated stress, aggravation and anxiety – only in the end not to have a job?
It just didn’t make sense.
Saying Yes: Outward to Others – Validation & Strength
When I attempt to justify my designation and only look to my financial circumstances I see little direct correlation. If, however, I look outward and acknowledge what I accomplished, a different picture evolves.
As I studied my business decisions for my employer became better informed, more complete and well-rounded. Customer reports and credit risk assessments improved. I drew on templates offered by the course materials and applied them to the work at hand. My communication skills flourished. Like a fully conditioned and fine-tuned sports team my experience and credentials were a full match – I wasn’t missing anything and I finally knew it. I had all the tools I needed to perfect the job. With my graduation as a CCP came professional validation.
The sense of it all still evolves but inherent in the struggle for certification was planted the seeds for the next stage of my life. For years there had been another call, even more quiet and subtle than the call to acquire a designation. It was looking back on God’s faithfulness throughout this educational process that gave me the strength to take on an even bigger risk and an enormous challenge. This time I had no job experience to lean on.
To be continued in the next post The Call (5).
How have you reacted to a calling? Did anything come out of it?
Yes I did and it forced me to grow in many ways.