I’ve been teaching for almost 7 years now, I’d spent 4 years in private tutorials plus some of the months in marketing and this year’s my 3rd year in public teaching. I know I’m not there yet in the prime of my teaching career but as early as now I can feel the pressure of retiring; yes, not resigning but RETIRING.
It’s a very common thought for almost everybody ‘cause the generation at the present time is far more different than the previous ones. For most, I know you can relate. I sometimes feel ineffective because I don’t get from my classes the reward of sacrificial teaching. I remember telling God one day, “Is this my real calling? Why do I feel incapacitated? GOD, I’m tired.”
Sometimes, I feel the same thing in the ministry. I was about to tweet this thought when one tweet captured my attention which says: “Be part of the Project Semicolon”. To my curiosity, I’ve learned that Project Semicolon is a global non-profit movement which envisions to present hope and love for those who are struggling with mental illness, suicide, addiction and self-injury; they exist to encourage, love and inspire. What a beautiful vision they have! I admit, shame slapped my face. If these people live to give, why should I simply retire from my vision of creating an impact and of leaving a legacy? Perhaps, I was just too busy with my profession that I have forgotten my passion. Do you experience the same thing where in you are just too busy in the kingdom yet forgetting who the King is?
We might be in the same status quo where in we feel frustrated about our dream, disappointed with our expectation, confused regarding our calling and we end up with a pointless thought of retiring when it’s not yet over. We easily give up our passion, we tend to walk out from our vision, and voila! Instead of ease – regret, frustration, and despair throb deep again. Why? Maybe because of our fast pacing, we miss out the big details in small parts of our life that we should be learning (now this is the paradox!).
We might always be in the “Go signal” ignoring the “Slowdowns” and “Stops”; we overtake, we counter flow just to avoid the traffic jam, thinking about how fast we could get there and then suddenly BUMP into something which can really slower us down or hinder us and to make things worst we could be forever stuck beneath DEATH. We don’t like it, do we? If we are in this condition, be still, and know that He is God!
During our life’s journey, let us appreciate the semicolons. According to my friend – Webster, the semicolon (;) indicates a pause that is longer than a comma yet shorter than a period. We must pause for a while to realize where we are right now and where God must be leading us; and then we continue to move forward so we would not get stuck in idle but we will be empowered by His grace to run the race!
Remember, God is with us all throughout life’s issues and He constantly reminds us to,
“Step out of the traffic!
Take a long, loving look at me, your High God,
above politics, above everything.”
Psalm 46:10 The Message
Stepping out of the traffic,
