Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3
I started my graduate studies the fall after earning a Bachelor of Science in Communication in April of 2009. The original plan was to work and take one or two classes a semester. I figured that I’d be finished in three to five years. No rush. However, because my job search wasn’t going the greatest by the time classes started and I saw no use in sitting at home, I enrolled as a full time student. All the while, I looked for employment in the nonprofit sector but, semester after semester I found none. I ended up earning a Master in Public Administration with a graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership in 16 months and 8 months later there is still no “job”. I got to a point where I’d take just about any job. In all this time I have only had three interviews. It’s quite pitiful…so much so that instead of being discouraged I was quite excited to see what in the world God was up to. My job prospects were too bleak for God not to be in the midst.
During my time in graduate school, I along with three others started Uprise, a faith based nonprofit. It was something I had not planed to do until some years from now, you know…when I had more experience. It was why I wanted a job in the nonprofit sector and why I continued school. It was a logical plan. I had my plans but, God has His and it’s time now to submit to it. It’s time to be bold. It’s time to step out on faith. You see I have a job and have for some time as Executive Director of Uprise but, because this job doesn’t “pay” I’ve reasoned this can’t be it. God must have an additional job in store because of course I need money. To believe that this what God had in store for me entirely seemed downright foolish. When people asked what I did for a living I hardly ever said I was an executive director for a nonprofit and if I did it was downplayed as if it were a mere hobby. I let how I thought others would perceive the legitimacy of my job dictate its significance and the amount of time I felt justified putting into Uprise. Ultimately I put God in a box. I limited Him.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5,6.
God has asked me to do some things and don’t completely understand why and as much as I would like them to be they aren’t in my comfort zone. For some of you too, it’s also time for you step out of faith…to be bold. The truth is that not everyone will understand or agree but, why should they? It’s YOU that has received conviction.
Sydney is an independent artist and Executive
Director of Uprise in Detroit, MI. She is passionate
about young adult ministry.
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