Oh My Goff

A couple of weeks ago after I received my one year review from my employer, I spoke with someone I trust and had them pray with me regarding my future at the company and we asked God to either change things at my current job or make it clear that I was to go elsewhere. The review didn’t point out anything negative in my performance, it just didnt add any sort of pay raise, and from this point forward it was going to be another year ’til the next review. After the glory of birthday weekend I was treated to lunch by my boss for a belated birthday celebration, which was nice. Unfortunately the next day I was informed that my pay was being restructured, effective immediately. This wouldn’t be a problem for me save the fact that this “restructuring” was a blatant cut in pay, both in regards to how much labor needs to be performed in order to earn commission, and the commission percentage itself. Once I ran some numbers through my timelog spreadsheet it was basically a 30% cut in pay which, in light of my faithful 1+ year of service and ownership of new responsibilities over that time, is in principle unacceptable. Add to that the fact that I barely make ends meet as it is. Shortly after hearing the bad news from my boss, I remembered the prayer and realized this was God’s answer: Time to go, Christopher.
Having performed on-site service in Pasadena for about 16 months now I know the ins and outs of surrounding cities, am comfortable with the area, etc. I’ve also enjoyed living in Baldwin Park with three of my friends that I met at APU a few years back. Once I started searching for a new IT job I quickly realized that my chances of getting another position in Pasadena that pays me what my expenses require were very slim. Nearly all of the job listings on Dice, Monster, Careerbuilder, and Craigslist are in the LA area, specifically downtown and west LA. Getting something out there almost certainly means that in 2 months when our one year lease term comes to an end, I will be relocating to the heart of the city or close to it. I’ve seen time and time again how bad the LA commute can be and what it does to one’s level of available time for other activities outside of work…it’s something I refuse to take on if I don’t have to.
Assuming that I relocate, it will mean the dissolution of the household I currently reside in. The last year has been amazing in many ways, especially in terms of my growth as a person in regards to my emotional health, responsibility, and my journey in Christ. While it will probably be bittersweet to move on to the next chapter in life, I know that God has a purposeful plan and has already been enacting it in my life in ways that may or may not include my whims(i.e. staying in a house with good friends, dating, etc). Friendships have been cultivated, deepened, challenged, and rewarded. I trust that if God’s will for me is to move on, then He will provide everything I need in the transition time and beyond. Aside from that I just seek to further His kingdom by continuing to serve and minister to others and demonstrating Christ-like love.
I know that some friendships will deepen and some will fade, but I’m not worried. It brings a certain excitement in me because I believe God is shaping my future even now as I’m typing this…He will provide the right people for me to have purposeful relationships with. He has used my friendships, in the last couple years especially, to support, change, humble, challenge, and encourage me. Following His call even in uncertainty just makes me that much more expectant that more positive growth is on the way, in whatever form and time it takes.
A new season is coming.