“I Stepped Out In Faith, Took a Risk”
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Jenna L. writes:
When I was a senior at Radford University I often wondered how one day I would move to the Big Apple (New York City) and find the perfect job.
After all, I was used to a town set in the beautiful mountains of Southwest Virginia, with one shopping mall and two lanes that ran through downtown. New York City was the opposite of everything I was familiar with, and Blacksburg was the only place that I had ever called home.
Little did I know that I was destined to find a dream job at Tears of Christ Jewelry.
Months after graduating from college, I was still uncertain about where I would work, move, or who I would meet along the way.
In an attempt to stay safe in Blacksburg a little bit longer, I took a job as a nanny working for my parents’ neighbors, Chris and Becky — and it was during this time that my life and outlook changed.
Becky took me under her wing and taught me something more important than I ever learned in school: to love and trust the Lord whole-heartedly.
I began praying and attending Beth Moore Bible study sessions, and after months of prayer decided I was ready to move away from the security of Blacksburg and focus on my career.
I had visited New York several times before, and was finally certain it was time to take a giant leap of faith and leave everything that I knew.
I moved to New York without a job or furniture, with help from my folks, not knowing what to expect.
After settling in my apartment, I began my job search. I applied to www.TearsofChrist.com, and within ten minutes I had an interview. That same day I was hired, and I discovered that my new office is only about 50 steps from my apartment!
Working at Tears of Christ Jewelry ended up being a perfect decision for me as I was able to combine my love of the Lord, with my love of jewelry, and my skills.
Here at Tears of Christ Jewelry, I am the Director of Communications, responsible for writing weekly news releases, emails, and speaking with customers around the world. I am even being interviewed for a national Christian radio broadcast!
After so much prayer and concern, I was finally able to understand that the wait and timing was just part of God’s plan for me.
To all those who recently graduated or will be graduating soon, I want to share an encouraging Bible passage. In times of worry, remember Philippians 4:5-7: The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.
Remember to pray and place your faith in God. He has a plan for your future, even if it is not obvious at first. Please contact me at Jenna@TearsofChrist.com.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on June 11th, 2008 and filed under Praise, Bible, Hope, Your Stories, Prayer, God's Sovereignty, Verses, Life Verse.
June 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Jenna, I’m inspired by how you followed your heart and took a HUGE risk! I love it. And I’m so glad things are working out for ya.
Blessings to you.
June 11th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Dear Jenna L.:
Like you, I have learned from experiences in life “to love and trust the Lord whole-heartedly.”
Unlike you, however, the first job unexpectedly offered to me through recommendations after my graduation of Master of Sacred Theology degree from Yale University Divinity School was to work as Director of the Statistics Department of The Community Service Society of New York–totally unrelated to my academic training.
Though I was intimidated by my poor mathematics and statistics, as well as total lack of experience to undertake such a responsible position, it turned out to be “a perfect decision for me,” too. It was my work there that I had learned from my protected academic life to certain parts of the real outside world of human misery, which needs to be addressed.
Thereafter, while I am solicitous yet not anxious about things of the present life (Matthew 6:25), my such faith in God frees my mind from anxiety.
In any trial and tribulation in life, I make my requests known to God, not by mere prayer, but by confidence in Him as He is revealed through our Redeemer.
“The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in peace, Because he trusts in Thee. Trust in the Lord forever. For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.” (Isaiah. 26:3-4).
Truly, “And to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God, Now to Him Who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”(Eph. 3:19-21).
Thank you.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you infinitely and inestimably; and
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.