What is God up to?

Chan Crawford
Aug 1, 2018
5 min read

We have many different paths along life. Sometimes we accidentally go down roads, others we feel lead to travel down, and others we instinctively know are our paths to travel.

So what happens when we get thrown off track? I wanted to address this, because I have recently gone through a set of my own path changes.

I started on a path I thought I was meant for, and then was abruptly intervened to seek a higher purpose path.

I took a leap of faith, and ventured off into my new path, which was transformation coaching. I felt God had me, and I had nothing to worry about because HE was the one who told me to leap.

Things were going well for awhile, and until I was thrown off track. My car broke down, I was immobile. I eventually became homeless, and I felt like a failure.

"Although I had educated myself, and was prepared in case something like this happened, I still felt the effects of utter failure. The person that everyone seemed to perceive as strong, and brave, and courageous, had felt completely the opposite. "

How was I supposed to hold my head up high, after suffering such a blow to my course of purpose? How was I supposed to rise above my ego's desire to look at my circumstances and associate myself with them?

They say it's easier said than done. You have no idea how much easier it is to say it, until you feel it. OMG.

So in the midst of my business flourishing, I had to make a detour. I had to go back from full time entrepreneur, back to Uncle Tom's employee. It took a hard blow to my self-esteem.

But along the way, I learned some valuable and life-changing lessons. I share them with you today, because without transformation in my own life, how can I expect to change the lives of others?

Lesson # 1

Your path of purpose is not about you at all. Although it's fulfilling, and you know you are going beyond yourself to help others, as you journey along your passion and purpose in life...it can be so exhilarating to experience the fulfillment and joy of operating in your life purpose.

So while you are enjoying some parts of your purpose, you may be thrown off track, not to change you, but for someone else.

So I quickly went back into the job search, and once again God opened a door for me. I went in for a regular position, and I was told that this place was just approved for an additional supervisor, and that my experience would be a great fit for that.

Now God has opened a door like this for me before. Many years ago, as I was going through a court case with my ex-husband, I also entered a job at entry level with no experience. I thought I wouldn't even get that job. Not only did I get it, but I was offered a supervisor position there, within 6 months. I was the youngest in the company, and surpassed my trainer and my co-workers to this position.

I wasn't particularly trained or qualified for this --which goes to show you that when God opens a door for you, you don't have to qualified for it. All odds can be stacked against you, and he will grace you with a blessing anyway.

So during this time, I was blessed with a quick job opportunity, that showed me I was put there (and thrown off course) for others. What I've gone through and learned from has been an experience that has benefited others. I encountered a man at this company who was overworked. He was given the responsibility of three job titles, and also was expected to work 24/7 on call, when others did not show up for their shift, or were late, or had issues with anything.

This man literally would work for 24 hours straight. Take a nap, and come back to work for another 20 hours. All because he was unable to leverage his value and worth to management. As soon as I get to a place, I immediately seek to understand the system.

The problem was THERE WAS NO SYSTEM. The way my brain works, I literally can't function without order. So I immediately put systems into place for myself, so that I limit my stress. So, when I got here, I could see there was a great deal of disorder and dysfunction, and I started asking questions.

For some, asking questions can come as a threat, or a jab at one's own capabilities. However, this man received my questions with grace, and a great deal of conviction, because it inspired him to move.

The moves he refused to make before, to insure that he was not abused in the work place, by being overworked, illegally labored, and disregarded as a multi-hat staff member, who was paid less than anyone else on staff. I could not for the life of me get why this man was afraid to speak up for himself. Why he was afraid to ask questions.

Soon after I talked with him, he sprung into action. He questioned things, which made things a little shaky. However, he stopped being abused. He stopped taking on the job of three people. He took his days off seriously. He stopped responding as an on-call person, without proper pay for his contribution for the company.

For him, that's a major win. This person was suffering tremendously under the disorder of this place. He came to me saying that after praying, God spoke to him, and he realized that I may have been sent there for a short time, but for a reason. And that reason, still allowed me to operate in my purpose.

But here I am thinking that I'm a failure, and questioning my life purpose. Here I am 'in my feelings' about having to go back to work for the man, even if just for a short while. Here I am thinking about how rough things were, and how I felt I was in the wilderness...and here God was using me in spite of my struggle.

Here God was, allowing me to operate in my purpose, in an unorthodox way. But it was hard for me to see it while in it, because I still had some growth and transformation to do of my own.

Lesson #2

Fears and challenges come up to grow you. Even though this the essential definition of my existence... I mean my business is called Beauty Of Growth, after all... I still face challenges that push me to my (perceived limits).

I can only remain grateful for the experiences I continue to have because they only make me stronger, increase my faith, and transform me for the better. These experiences also teach me what I need to know so that I can help others overcome grave challenges like my own, and continue to push to be the best them they can be.

Soooooo...

I say that all to say you can be on your path, and see things turn completely LEFT. You can see things happen that make no sense in your life or don't seem to fit within the path you started along.

When that happens, don't lose faith. Don't get discouraged. Be glad that you had an enriching life experience. Take it as an adventure --a learning experience meant for you and for others!

Travel your path and do the best you can to hold your head high, and keep trucking along your path, my dear friend. God's got you, and will never forsake you. Even when life looks bleek, find the silver lining. Learn what you can from where you are so that you can move up to the next level in life. The next level of happiness, the next level of joy, the next level of abundance!