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Who Moved My Map?

By Lori S. O’Dea

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4).

Is there also a time to stay and a time to move? This is the million-dollar question.

A friend of mine has a knick knack on her desk, “a toy for the executive." It has a spinner with several options, including “yes,” “no,” and “sit on it.” Nearly every time, it lands on “pass the buck.” I asked if it had been preset to do this. The innate desire to leave the hard work of decision making to someone else can be seriously tempting. It’s a predisposition I sometimes have, particularly in life changing decision times. But when the life being changed is yours, you had better own that process.

Recently, as I contemplated a move in location and ministry niche, I found myself disturbed by my lack of resources for such a decision. If God had promised to make my path straight and to shine a light upon it, why was I having such a hard time finding it? I had read Who Moved My Cheese? I was determined not to be so intimidated by the prospect of change that I was immobilized. I just wished for a detailed map, accompanied by directions and timing. Was that too much to ask? Perhaps. So here are a few directions—be they ever so general—that may help you locate your map.

Pay attention to the “lost” feeling.

Navigating in unfamiliar territory requires a careful mix of risk and common sense. Last night I deferred to the latter while trying to follow directions to a home I’d never visited. As soon as the directions no longer fit my location, I pulled over and called for help. I did not have time to waste continuing to travel in the hope of hitting the right place, when I very well could have been going in the wrong direction.

Depending on your situation, the same action may be warranted in the bigger scale direction of your life. If you have been operating in a place with some longevity and stability and you begin to sense discontentment or restlessness, do not dismiss it—particularly if it persists. Any number of reasons could account for these feelings (including a dietary shortage of chocolate!). But facing your feelings allows you to accurately attend to them before they inoculate you to pending change.

Pick up a compass.

I had a friend who used to say that whatever direction he was facing was north. (You have to admire his willingness to admit this, if not his arrogance!) Most of us have some ability to act as if the world revolves around us. We can discipline the tendency by keeping our eyes firmly fixed on the Lord. His Word and His will form the compass by which we need to make all decisions.

The first and best thing you can do when you sense a change, and throughout the change process, is to seek God’s direction. The Living Word has an uncanny way of speaking to our situations with specificity. Journal your thoughts and prayers during this time. Even if it is not your regular practice, it will help you during the season of change to reflect on how the Lord has led while you have sought direction.

Invite others to the cockpit.

The old bumper sticker “God is my copilot” irritates me every time I see it. The poor theology and discipleship indicated by asking the Lord to take second chair is, well, an entirely different discussion. However, there is merit in the flight engineer’s position. Picture these seating arrangements: (1) God is the Pilot of your life, in charge, setting the course; (2) You are the copilot, hands on the controls, obeying the Pilot’s directions; (3) The flight engineer provides important insight to all variables, standing ready to assist as needed.

Could you use a flight engineer or two in your life? Of course you could, because we were created for community. In God’s community we will find a select number of people who are uniquely suited to provide information relevant to our course. Who are they?

First, and only if this person has demonstrated an ability to handle such confidence, tell your “boss” that you are considering a change. Exercise extreme caution here. In some cases, this could jeopardize the current situation, making a change imperative and the transition more painful than necessary. With a secure leader, who, along with the organization, has your best interests at heart, you will find an ally who brings discernment and wisdom to the consideration process.

Second, seek out people who can add something of value to the decision at hand. These would include those who know you well (your gifts, your dreams, your faults) and those who know the new thing (e.g., someone familiar with the pastor of the church whose staff you may join). Sometimes a person with distance from both your current and new settings can add an unbiased perspective. Be careful about asking advice of people with a vested interest in some aspect of the decision.

Make a move.

I really do like to study a map, but ultimately I would rather enjoy the journey or the destination than simply contemplate it from the one-dimensional perspective of paper. In life change situations, the same is true. You can pray for the Lord’s direction, ask for input from trusted advisers, and chart the pros and cons of a decision for only so long. At some reasonable point, you’ve got to decide. The limbo of indecision, when stretched out for too long, begins to wear on you and those around you.

Understand that “the move” you choose could involve “staying put.” Do not view this as a failure to risk or having misread the sense that sent you down the path of change in the first place. You can grow in the process and be better prepared for serious change when it comes.

Having made the decision to change, realize that you are still only at the very beginning of a long process. The decision process can be significantly exhaustive in itself. But extricating and replanting yourself in a new place will require even more navigation skills.

Keep your map close at hand!

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