Follow the Clues
I often talk to people who are in the midst of change. Career change, life change, health change, you name it. It’s in these times that we tend to become reflective. We pause and take stock of the world around us. We take a look back and see what we can glean from the benefits of hindsight. Steve Jobs famously said, “You can only connect the dots looking backward.”
Life’s inflection points also make us look forward. How much time do we have left? How do we want to spend that time? Who do we want to spend it with? Where do we want to be? It’s in these times that people get confused. Some begin overthinking. That leads to frustration.
A friend of mine was telling me about a new business venture she’s started with two colleagues. In the 35 years I’ve known her, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so energized. Her new venture is something that she’s wanted to do for most of her professional career. For this reason or that, the time was never right; the circumstances were never right. Until now.
I remarked to her that this was an example of God’s faithfulness. She gave me a puzzled look. “How?” she said. I shared with her that people frequently overcomplicate their mission or their calling in life. God hard wires each of us with inclinations and leanings and gifts and interests and passions. Those are clues that He provides us to follow as we live our lives. And He uses our individual experiences along life’s journey to prepare us to pursue those things. My friend has arrived at the place where her spirit has been leading her for decades. And that is why she is so joyful.
Our heart and soul know things long before our brain and body do. If you’re confused or discontent, get quiet and listen. Observe. Think. The clues are inside you, and they’ve been there all along.
