This is the first insight I have written in about 3 months. Up until then I was posting a new insight once a week like clockwork. Why did I stop so abruptly? In order to answer that I want to take a bit of a detour that I think speaks to many people for 2016.
In September 2015 I perceived that a season lay ahead that was going to be bumpy but that we (my family) would be at a higher place after this bumpy period. I saw a vision of an airplane that has to push through turbulence to get above it and fly higher and more stable. What followed was challenging and life altering.
In September 2015 I understood that my time as lecturer was coming to an end, at least at the institution I was involved with at the time. Little did I know how dramatically it would come to an end. I had already started looking for another opportunity as the conditions at the institution where I was lecturing was less than ideal due to various factors internally and externally to the organisation.
The detail is just too much to write about here but in short, as I tried to find an additional source of income to supplement my decrease in income from my lecturing (due to the unstable conditions) I got caught in the uncertainty of the restructuring. After a few months of extreme stress due to the differences between myself and management I had to leave the organisation rather abruptly.
With grace I had already started an alternative part-time contract and was also looking into the possibility of supporting entrepreneurs with the additional time that was freed up in my calendar. A funny thing happened though… Throughout this period that started in 2015 I became very aware of my lack of a sense of belonging and affirmation in identity and purpose.
For many years I had been wandering the wilderness in search of home and my heavenly Father to envelop me. Now after 12 years I gained a sense of complete serenity due to my surrender to His purpose for my life and understanding that I simply need to follow and can trust Him for He is good. No longer do I have to push so hard to accomplish and show that I am worthy. For this period I could close my laptop and start to meditate and pray on His heart for me and take peace that it will be so.
As I did this I could see how He had guided me through the turbulence and in spite of my lack of power, skill or control over the situation and I felt validated and affirmed. Even though I was weak, He was strong. I flew through the bumpy turbulence and came out above it to fly higher and more stable. What I realised however was that I was not in control of the flight, but merely a passenger. I had to trust that I would be okay.
I have since continued my work as entrepreneurial and self-leadership coach and facilitator as part of a new season where I can walk in trust and rest that I am doing what I should and I am playing for the audience of One. This will be a great part of how I help leaders in business and organisatons align to higher purpose and influence society according to eternal principles.
I believe that many people have experienced 2016 as challenging. I also believe this is a sign of our time and a call to prepare ourselves.
We are moving into a time of great promise and a great challenge and we need leaders that can remain steadfast under suffering and act accordingly with motivations that are pure in order to release human potential in service of eternity.
I look forward to our journey together.