What's Next?

‘Stepping further out into your farthest sphere of influence, you have something essential to offer the World. It may be in the form of a notable career. It may be a hidden life, well lived. Some women are called to the marketplace. Lydia was an entrepreneur when Paul met her, “a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God” (Acts 16:14). Deborah was an advisor to Israel on matters of justice, economics, and warfare (Judg. 4-5). Some women find themselves in the marketplace of the World because they want to be there. It is their calling. Other are there because at this time in their lives they have no choice.

Either way, the crucial issue is this: It is as a woman you must live there. Do not be naïve. The World is still deeply marred by the Fall. Men still dominate in many sinful ways (remember the curse). Women who “make it” there tend to be dominating and controlling (remember Fallen Eve). The Evil One holds sway over the World and its systems (1 John 5-19). In the World you must be a cunning as a Rahab, an Esther, a Tamar. You must walk wisely. You must not let them shape you into their view of what a woman is. You’ll end up a man. What you have to offer is as a woman. Uniquely feminine.

Above all, you must live in that World as a response to the invitation of Jesus, for you will be hurt if he has not called you there. You will be covered if he has’ (212).

My reaction to this passage:

I have been job searching for the past two or three months. It has been challenging and my labor appears fruitless. I was stopped dead in my tracks after reading this passage in Captivating.

First, I remembered two independent things my aunt has said to me recently: 1. Maybe God doesn’t have your job ready for you yet, 2. Allison, as long as you are vulnerable, allowing God to take care of your heart, you are bringing beauty to the world and unveiling that is a big deal in God’s plan (This in response to my comment that I believe God is preparing me for grandly distinguished role/purpose).

I also remembered expressing, on several occasions, how important it is to me to remain vulnerable and not to harden my heart after it’s been broken (And I am not fooled, it will break again for it is breakable in human interaction; but, I will press on). To seek restoration. To share my experiences with others. To unveil my beauty and encourage others to do the same. Cultivating my character, the very core of who I am, is eminent and essential in my life for it reveals God’s beauty and character. It is more important to me that any job. Who I am affects me relationally in the World and relationships, influencing people’s souls, are the only thing that is eternal.

Then I remembered having said that “maybe I am not supposed to have a thriving career in corporate America.” Don’t get me wrong I would love it. My primary gift from God is my scholastic ability and I am more than capable to have a notable career. “Maybe God knows something about the pressures, specific to my personality, that I would face, how they may destroy me, and is protecting me,” Another comment I have made.

The summation of these comments was that maybe God has called me to something else, not Corporate America. God knows my desire to embrace my redeemed heart and to unveil my beauty and in doing so give others permission to unveil their beauty as well. And not just others but specifically women. I long to encourage and motivate women to be the Captivating women that God has made them. So, just maybe God knows that my heart and desires would take a beating in the Corporate World. That for me to live in the Corporate World would mean a constant and unnecessary battle against being a dominating Fallen Eve (And believe me, I struggle with being a controlling Fallen Eve). Perhaps my heart is better protected and unveiled outside of that realm. Could God possibly be saying, “No, it’s not for you. With such a world impacting beautifully vulnerable heart that I am creating in you, I don’t want you bruised any more than necessary!”

I ask that you please pray with me as I wait on (and listen to) the Lord to reveal the next step in his perfect plan for my life.