Note: This is part 4 of a 4 part series entitled “When God Closes Doors”.
Busyness!
If you asked me to pick one word that summed up the past three decades of my life, “busyness” would be it.
Most days, every minute is planned out with meetings, events, and blocked time for special projects. Even during vacations, it’s hard for me to turn off the “busyness” and just feel present in the moment.
It’s so easy to feel accomplished when you look at a task list full of checkmarks but much harder to slowdown and reflect on what they really mean.
What lessons were learned today, last week, this quarter? Am I accomplishing my goals or merely being driven by a schedule of tasks I have committed to doing? Am I growing in Christ or growing away from him?
Prayer time for me often is more of an afterthought at the end of the day, instead of purposeful in nature. But it is in the moments where I intentionally schedule time with Christ that I am most clearly able to grow in my self-reflection.
Some of the best parts about reflecting on where you’ve come from and where you’re going are the key lessons you can take away from the self-reflection. As I have spoken with others and reflected this week on the doors God closes when it’s time to open new doors, five things have really stood out.
1. My Story is MY Story
First and foremost, I shared only highlights of years’ worth of conversations, amazing milestones, and turnarounds. Even if I could share every moment in detail, including many parts left out, others who were part of my journey might have different recollections. My story is told through my eyes only.
Proverbs 18:17 reads, “The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him.”
Always remember there are two sides to every story told. My story is the reflection of how I felt in the moments as I was living them.
2. Wasted Efforts or Hurt Pride?
One of my biggest struggles each time I have felt doors closing is asking God to help me determine if my pride is hurt because I can’t gain traction or if I can’t gain traction because the projects I’m tackling aren’t what He needs me to tackle.
A man once told me, “When you feel like you’re always swimming upstream, it might be time for you to find a different stream to swim in.”
Sometimes the vision you have for something doesn’t mirror the vision others have. It doesn’t mean you’re right and everyone else is wrong. But when you continue to face obstacles to things you are working on, it’s a possibility God is guiding you in a different direction.
As I reflected on this notion, I was reminded of James 4:6, which reads, “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’”
When you can reflect in true humility that the reason you feel you’re facing obstacles is not because your pride is hurt from disagreements but because you humbly believe God is no longer calling you to lead a project, team, or career aspiration, it’s probably time to move on.
3. Let Go of Purposes That Aren’t for You
One of my biggest realizations is that when you step out of the way for a purpose you are no longer called to do, it opens the door for a person God is calling into your role to live their purpose.
A people pleaser and fixer by nature, it is easy for me to say “yes” to added responsibilities before praying about them.
I have felt the disappointment after working really hard on things to see other people promoted to lead them over me. And, out of pride, I have taken on promotions and projects other people really deserved more than me.
Over the last several months I have asked myself the question, “Is this my purpose, or would someone else be better suited to do this as part of their purpose?” before taking on a new project.
Remember that stepping aside sometimes opens opportunities God needs to grow others, while placing you where He needs you next. Every “yes” you give takes away from your current purpose, so be selective.
4. When You Don’t Fit In, There Might Be a Reason
Similarly, there may come a time in your career where you no longer fit in. Maybe, despite your best efforts to repair relationships, they remain broken.
There have been times I have prayed for months, “God, please turn our hearts around and help restore our relationship.”
Sometimes relationships were restored. Other times, the tension grew to a point where it was uncomfortable to be around. Anger, or avoidance, continued to overtake peace.
Alternatively, there have been times where I realized I no longer fit in because the sins I was partaking in as part of the work friendships needed to change.
Proverbs 12:26 reads, “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
Realizing some situations need to be removed entirely from your life in order for you to move on from the temptations of sins they afford you can be hard, especially when it means leaving a career you love.
5. God Will Always Correct Your Course
Proverbs 3:6 reads, “Know Him in all your paths, and He will keep your ways straight”.
It is so easy in this world to stray into sin. I served money before God, and it caused me to fear losing my job instead of trusting Him. I suffered from a sin of pride. I cared more about what others thought about my career success than I did what God thought about me. Because of this, I let pride steal time from my family.
I turned to sinful ways more than once, but God never let me stray so far that it couldn’t be repaired, when I turned to him to intervene.
I Corinthians 10:13 is my favorite Bible verse. It reads, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
When things aren’t going the way you want them to, and it appears doors are closing, turn to God for guidance. Ask him Psalm 139:23-24 which reads, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Finally, remember Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
When God closes a door, don’t feel discouraged. He needs you somewhere else.