The First Scary Step:

I have talked and thought a lot about leaving the teaching field.  I have been teaching for four years, and I have had a lot of opportunities and experiences.   Some have been incredibly high and extremely rewarding, but there have been a few others that have been very hard and discouraging.  I have thought about leaving because I have considered going into more after-school, non-profit work.  I love teaching, but I love nothing more than my summer job which is considered to be a more nonprofit setting. 

That being said, I have recently taken a job at a non-profit.  I will be working at an organization called the Job Foundation. I will be working with kids still, but I will be teaching them financial literacy. I will be able to work with all ages from elementary, just starting to understand money to seniors who are ready to take on the world. This organization is in Cedar Falls, which is actually where I went to college. I am going back to the city where I first discovered my love of learning and non-profit culture, the world around me and the people inside it, and became deeper in my relationship with God. It is a lovely place in my memory.  I never would have thought I would go back there, but here I am.  I am excited, but if I am honest, I am also undeniably afraid of saying yes to this new and unknown future.  

This was just the first step though, and now I have many afterwards.  Isn’t it funny how that can work sometimes.  You make one decision and then you have to make another, and then you have to make another.  It goes on and on.  Now, I get to make a lot of other scary decisions, but the first one has been made.  It has been decided.  Now, I get to make the rest of the decisions with the peace that only Christ can give me that I am making the right choices.  

Where should I live?  Should I live alone again in an apartment or should I find a roommate?  I already have some insight into churches, but which one should I go to?  Where will I make a lot of friends?  What are some things that I should be involved in?  Are there a lot of clubs and organizations or volunteering that I can be a part or a member of? Luckily, I did live in Cedar Falls for a few years, so that takes away a little bit of anxiety, but there is still some there.  Then I have to step away from my kids and the community that I have already been building in Buffalo Center.  It is a lot at one time.  It is exciting and it is good, and I believe it is completely ordained by God.  However, it is scary, and I know I definitely need a lot of comfort from God and those I love during this time.   

I think that any time in life that people want to make a change, it does take just one scary step to get them there.  This can be anyone who wants to start making healthier life choices like starting to exercise, or eating clean.  It can be deciding to join a Bible Study.  It can be deciding to start dating or putting yourself out there in relationships.  It can be to pursue a new career or a side job or signing up for extra classes.  The world has so many different opportunities for people to be a part of, but that means there are always a lot of scary steps to take.  

One example of a group of people within the pages of the Bible who had to make a scary first step (there are actually very many) was Simon Peter, James, and John leaving their fishing boat and deciding to follow Jesus.  Jesus came to them and helped them with their fishing originally.  They were struggling to get any fish into their nets.  They had been working at it for hours even though they were professionals.  Jesus came and by his miraculous appearance helped them catch a lot of fish, more than they could have ever done on their own.  

Because of the miracle, the three fishermen were able to see who was in front of them. They fell on their knees, and they asked Jesus why he was around them because they were sinners.  However, Jesus actually tells them that he wants to be around them a lot more.  He wants them to follow him, and he wants them to be a part of his ministry.  He wants them to fish for people.  This is what is said in Luke 5:10b-11, “Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” 

 My favorite part about this section is that it says those disciples put their boats on the shore and they followed him.  That must have been a scary step.  They didn’t know how long they would be gone or how far they would travel.  Some of them had families and friends they may have wanted to spend more time with.  Then there were their fishing boats.  They were leaving behind their hard-earned fishing boats, but they did it for the chance to follow Jesus and have a more rewarding future.  

Hopefully, as I take this next step in my life, I will have the opportunity to fish for people.  I hope there are opportunities to volunteer, to get involved, and to really interact with the community.  I am excited to get to know people who are in the town.  I also want to take this time to thank all of the people who have been so supportive through this whole journey.  I have had so many people in my life wishing me the absolute best and giving me great advice.  I am so glad that I have so many people in my life who love me and want the absolute best for me.