Onward in Faith: Seeing the Deeper Things

ONWARD IN FAITH
Seeing the Deeper Things

The work of making a successful transition is characterized by decisions that we control. e.g.:

• How should I change my resume or LinkedIn profile?
• When and how can I follow-up the successful networking discussion?
• What’s an effective way of repositioning my work with ABC Company to impress the recruiter from DEF, Inc.?

We have to also manage decisions from network contacts, recruiters, and employers where we have little control. Often, these decisions aren’t in our favor. Employers tell us they’ve decided to go in another direction, the “fit’s not quite right, another candidate has more of this or that; business dictates a freeze on hiring…blah blah blah. Although challenging to say the least, it’s important to keep a positive view; and look for the silver lining.

Taking a deeper view of things can make a difference in allowing you to put things in perspective and store up necessary strength. While waiting for decisions which you can’t control, it’s important to reaffirm the good things you did. Take comfort in knowing you did your best while shaping new strategies for the future. And count the positives gained and lessons learned from the experience.

As I waited for results from my scan following 6 months of chemotherapy, I tried to not get too caught up in what I wanted from the outcome.

From Tom’s journal–Fortifications for a cancer Journey*
“I am nervous awaiting the assessment of how I’ve been doing in my battle. Of course I’m longing for spectacular news but I need to guard against that. Doctor F’s words will take one of three directions—-1. Things are great; 2. Things are ok, more work awaits, 3. Things are bad, but there’s hope someplace.

No matter what today, my life will continue to grow, possibly even flourish. And from the work that takes place in my soul, I believe God is involved; somehow, somewhere, in some clear but also in unknown, mysterious ways. A part of Christian Wiman’s poem strengthens me.

God goes, belonging to every riven thing he’s made
Think of the atoms inside the stone,
think of the man who sits alone
A part of what man knows,
Apart from what man knows,
God goes belonging to every riven thing he’s made.

Riven—a most interesting word. Torn apart, split, divided. Well, chemotherapy certainly does that. But after being split apart, life grows again.
I offer myself to this truth.”

TODAY…

Ask yourself, what aspects of your life have been split up or destroyed in this transition? How can this be viewed in a potentially positive light? Did you meet new people who can help? Was there information or resources accessed which can be used as you continue your transition work?

Every riven thing

God goes, belonging to every riven thing he’s made
sing his being simply by being
the thing it is:
stone and tree and sky,
man who sees and sings and wonders why

God goes. Belonging, to every riven thing he’s made,
means a storm of peace.
Think of the atoms inside the stone.
Think of the man who sits alone
trying to will himself into a stillness where

God goes belonging. To every riven thing he’s made
there is given one shade
shaped exactly to the thing itself:
under the tree a darker tree;
under the man the only man to see

God goes belonging to every riven thing. He’s made
the things that bring him near,
made the mind that makes him go.
A part of what man knows,
apart from what man knows,

God goes belonging to every riven thing he’s made.
…………………………………
From the book “Every Riven Thing” by Christian Wiman. Copyright © 2010 by Christian Wiman.