I had a part-time job, along with my full time. I’d worked there for a little over two years when the pandemic began. Like most jobs, my hours were cut and with it already being part-time, you can imagine what it looked like at that point. I stayed until the beginning of this year and decided that I couldn’t make it work. It was costing me more to go to work than I was actually making and I was getting used to working solely from home.
I put in my notice, trained my replacement, and the rest is still in the building where my desk was. Once I left for good, my manager mailed me my last check and we texted our “how are you’s” and “goodbyes”.
The other day, she sent me a text message letting me know that I’d left some photos on my desk and that she would be mailing them to me. Honestly, I had forgotten about them, as it’s been so long since I was in the building, but I’ll be glad to have them back.
Now, it was my choice to leave the job, knowing that it no longer served me. That was the important part, for me to realize and accept that it no longer served the purpose it once did in my life. I enjoyed my job, the work I did there was necessary and I felt accomplished until I didn’t.
One day I realized that by the time I drove to work and home, I was on the road longer than I was sitting at my desk. It was time for me to go and give someone else space to do the work. And those photos, I did not remember the “memories” that I left behind until I was reminded.
Moving On Towards the Promise
This definitely isn’t about me leaving my job, don’t worry. This is about accepting when it’s time to move on. Sometimes we stay in places that no longer fit within the realm of our purpose. This causes us to go out of our way to stay inside of a place that it is time for us to be out of. You may not be unhappy where you are, that’s not always the case. I was completely happy, but yet, out of place. And about those memories – sometimes you have no recollection of them until you are reminded. That is not an indication to go running back, and sometimes, you have got to be willing to deny the mail “reminders”.
So, What’s the Play Call?
I know that it can be difficult to let go of a “good thing”, but remember our good God will not let you be unfulfilled in your call. Here are a few things to remember when you want to stay where you don’t belong:
- Remember Lot’s wife. Yes, she held on tight and in the end, it destroyed her. Now, you most likely won’t turn into a pillar of salt, but spiritually and emotionally, it can destroy you. “But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” Genesis 19:26
- Remember the big picture. Even if you haven’t seen it yet, know that if God is pulling you away from a place, it is so that His bigger thoughts for you can be fulfilled. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
- Remember God’s promises. Ultimately, I understand that had I stayed where I was, I could not become ready to receive the fulfilled promises that God has for me. Take time to remember what God promised you, it’ll make it a smidge easier to move on from where you do not belong. “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Hebrews 6:15
- Remember to pray. Prayer is communication with God. Let him in your decision-making process, pray and discuss it with Him. He will help you let go of the place and those mail-in memories. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
I just want you to remember that you can move on from that “office” and leave the memories behind. Allow God to lead you.
