|
Move on
Off the Wall
March 13, 2008
As I sat in the peacefulness before Mass at church
recently, I began thinking. What quickly surfaced were the many
opportunities that I passed up.
I don't think I'm any different than anybody else,
for we all might have concluded "That's something I could
do," only to find out it wasn't in the cards. I was given
the heads up just to "move on."
Just as I was about to leave after the celebration,
I encountered a young man by the doors of the church. We began
conversing. He told me he had just moved to this area and asked
my occupation. I mentioned I was retired, but wrote two columns
for The Latrobe Bulletin, this one and one dealing with outdoor
sports.
Apparently the word "sports" got his attention.
He proceeded to tell me a lengthy story about coaching and that
he wants to be hired by a college to assist in its programs.
He related that he had come from another state where he had been
very successful. I guess he felt with his resume, he stood a
chance to slide into any number of positions.
I then posed the question to him, "Have you
prayed about it?" He told me he prays everyday, and feels
that there is no giving up. He told me, "I have to be persistent;
It still may happen that some coach will hire me." On the
other hand, he commented, "I don't understand why no one
gets back to me. I feel God keeps telling me to push on, but
nothing is happening."
I know He does have a plan for this young man. What
it is may not be clear to him right now, but I have no doubt
there is something out there God is creating just for him.
If plans don't go as we imagine, don't hang on to them.
Move on. I believe our life is full of road blocks. They are
supposed to be there. They have to be there to give us another
option to try another path. Could it be that God may know something
we don't?
Let's just say, for a moment, this young man continues
to struggle with the many rejections he is getting, thinking
all along, "Something just may open up. I have to keep trying."
Could it be that he is closing off his mind to other opportunities
that may lay waiting for him?
It reminds me of someone standing in a circle. All
around him is a boundary. He knows well the space in which he
stands, but is acquainted with nothing beyond the white line.
If he doesn't put forth, he won't get anything back. Should he
remain where he is or take that leap of faith, as the saying
goes? Granted, he is just crossing a line, but to some that mark
on the floor may seem as though it is a mile wide, and is no
easy task.
"When then should one move on?" may be
the question. I think it depends on the circumstances. If as
in the case of the young man I spoke about earlier, if I were
he, I'd move on seeking something else. If the job he is seeking
is presented to him, then take it, but don't hold on to dreams
that may not materialize.
How about the person in the circle? Maybe if he
strives to stay out of the circle, and set his goals on helping
others, he will lose his egotism and become more altruistic.
What's the answer? Pray, listen, acting on God's
guidance, and then be at peace.
Paul J. Volkmann
2/12/08
|