Continuing Education

Some time ago, I took a continuing education writing class at a local college. I was there because I was unemployed, in job search, and exploring new interests. The Lord was yet again stripping away those things I clutched on to for my identity and resetting my heart priorities toward Him. At the time, my identity was more firmly rooted in my own competencies and job title than it was in God. This has happened a few times before and when it does, it confuses and disorients me. A friend laughingly says that when this happens, it is an active awareness of being “spun on the potter’s wheel.” To better understand the reference, take a look at these passages in the Bible: Jeremiah 18:1-6; Isaiah 29:16, 45:9, and 64:8 in the Old Testament and Romans 9:20-21 and 2 Timothy 2:20-21 in the New Testament.

If you don’t have a print Bible handy, a reliable online source to read these verses or even download a copy of the Bible to your phone can be found here, www.Bible.com.

If you don’t have the time to look these up before proceeding (although I really wish you would), simply understand that God is the potter, and we are the clay. Either we choose rebellion and remain enemies of God, or we choose to yield daily to God’s Spirit as we are tenderly molded more and more into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Introductions

One of the many awkward moments in that class was when we were asked to introduce ourselves. At that time, I was accustomed to introducing myself by what I did (I still sometimes do). My identity was in the value I added to the companies I worked for in the beauty industry. Like many in job search, however, I found it uncomfortable to introduce myself because I didn’t have a “work church” to which I belonged. Most of the other students in the class were retired, and I was envious that they no longer felt the burden of having to look for work. Many spent their time developing new hobbies or taking care of grandchildren and said so in their introductions.

As the instructor went around the room, I thought through what I could say that would help make a good first impression and provide a sound rationale for what I was doing in the class (yup, I’m that guy!). When it came my turn to speak up, what came out of my mouth was unexpected:

“I’m semi-retired from the beauty industry.”

What I was perhaps earnestly trying to communicate was I was unsure about whether I would be returning to the industry I had served for years. A few of the women who were a decade or two older than me laughed and said they understood exactly what I meant. I don’t tend to be quick on my feet, and it was only in hindsight that I began to understand why they found what I said so funny. After decades of pressure to maintain a certain appearance, there may be a moment or season when appearance loses its importance to a woman, and she lets go.

Either way, I enjoyed the class, especially as it often pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me in ways beyond what I anticipated. This is a healthy thing to do as we age.

Jesus Sees Potential

I do think, however, there can come a point in every woman’s life when people tend to stop seeing her. It could be a lie that is communicated, directly and indirectly, through the culture; It takes root because she chooses to believe the lie and allow it to define her. Maybe her beauty starts to fade, and she starts to lose ground with the daily pull of gravitational forces. Her mind might not be as sharp as it once was. Those skills that brought achievement in the past, are either irrelevant or not as valued as they once were. Potential mentors are not as readily available or easily found as they were when she was younger. At the heart of the matter, it’s a numbers game.

If the woman chooses to believe the lie, she might stop dreaming about things she wants to see and do in the future. Maybe she has lived her life for others like her children or grandchildren, or perhaps she feels she has too often lived it for herself.

What is the way forward if she starts to believe the cultural hype and loses sight of the potential Jesus sees in her?

The woman will get differing advice and opinions from all sorts of coaching professionals, and well-meaning family and friends. These may be helpful in the short-term, but they do not provide the rescue we all so desperately need. They do not provide the unwavering sense of purpose, value, and belonging we crave throughout our lives.

The Only Answer

If you’ve spent any time reading these blogs or spent time in a group or a classroom with me, you already know the answer. These things are found only in the One who is eternal and unchanging, regardless of how people, technology, and life change. It is only through repentance and faith that we can enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and be reconciled with our heavenly Father. We are then adopted into God’s family and are given a renewed sense of purpose.

Jesus sees us, He sees our potential because He was present before creation, and He knows the plans and purposes He has for us; These plans were established before the world was set in motion. In daily submission to His Spirit, we are being molded and shaped into the person we are meant to be. Jesus sees our potential and that doesn’t end when we pass middle age. He sees our potential from cradle to grave, and if we walk faithfully with Him through this life, He will be there to greet us at the end with an open embrace and the words every beloved child longs to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21, 25:23).” We will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was all worth it.

Our Hope Shared

And what better way to honor that relationship than to not only love and be fully present with others, but more importantly and more urgently to be present for our children and our children’s children. What a privilege it is to share the hope we have in Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate this Christmas season.

Our inheritance is in heaven, not here on earth. There is very little more worthwhile or fulfilling than to invest in the next generation in a way that will equip them to look to the future with hope in God’s promises through faith in Jesus Christ. He sustains in hopeful expectancy and brings a settled joy to those who daily trust in Him.

Now, listen. I am not going to go all soft on you as I normally do. As change comes, life becomes more difficult, and mentors may leave or disappear. The way forward may not be clear, and circumstances will at times seem overwhelming. When this happens, listen more carefully for the Father’s voice. He does not disappoint, and He will never leave you.

“Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isaiah 46:4, NIV).

Take a step in faith today. Do the uncomfortable thing if you know it is the right thing to do. Or simply choose to do the next thing. If you have put your trust in Jesus for your salvation, you can be assured His Spirit will guide you because He is faithful and true.

Peace. Alison

Photo credit: artisteer on http://www.istock.com.