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| the weekly eWell | 23 january 2008 / issue 31 |
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In this issue: • latest news • community groups • well said • more info • classifieds
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"My Quarter-Life Crisis" Cari Bradley Anxiety. Sobbing. Insecurity. Confusion. Doubt. Off and on, over the last four years, I have experienced what I have affectionately termed “My Quarter-Life Crisis.” (This is not to be confused with a Mid-Life Crisis. I have not yet reached the “Mid” point in my life. I am 25 years old. Hence, “Quarter-Life”…) I first experienced this anxiety when my senior year at FSU was drawing to a close. After graduation, I had no plans, no direction, and no career path already paved out for myself. I did, for some reason, have a pre-conceived notion that I was supposed to already know all of this by the time I walked across the stage to receive my diploma. I was not married, nor anywhere near becoming married, so I couldn’t rely on my future husband’s career to dictate my choices. On top of this, all of my best friends were able to rely on their husbands or future husbands to whisk them away to another city or state. Leaving me behind in the dust, hyperventilating at the thought of where I’d go once my lease ran out. If you’ve ever asked for prayer for direction in your life, you’re familiar with the typical response that usually involves the encouraging, yet seemingly vague verse, Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Many people tried to encourage me with this verse, but all I could think was THIS DOES NOT TELL ME WHAT TO DO WITH MY LIFE!!! Four years and two unofficial nervous breakdowns later, I’ve realized how stupid I was to put that pressure on myself, and how ungrateful I was for not appreciating how empowering those verses actually are. My problem was that I was stuck on the details. All I wanted was to have a flashing neon light in the sky that said “Cari, become a _______”. And then everything would be perfect. I was sure that God was disappointed in me because I didn’t have my life perfectly planned out. At work, middle-aged men would walk past my desk and ask me, “How does your mother feel that you got your degree in Art but you’re working as a secretary?” Thanks guys. Thanks a lot. My mother supported me 100%, by the way. She never pressured me to have it all figured out. She just wanted me to have a job, that’s all. One of my favorite jokes from my childhood is this. Q: How do you eat an elephant? A: One bite at a time (I know, kinda lame, but I was 7). That is how I am tackling my Quarter-Life Crisis. One step at a time. I still have no clue what I want to be when I grow up, but I know now that it doesn’t matter nearly as much as I originally thought. Colossians 3:23 says “Whatever you do, work at it with your all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Initially vague, but incredibly liberating, this verse doesn’t say, after I’ve become CEO of a big company, then to live for Him. It says WHATEVER. That means I get to make my life decisions (major and minor) based on the gifts God has given me and in accordance with his Word, and learn how to choose what is most in line with His plan for me. And, if I screw up in the process, God is bigger than my mistakes. I’ve come to realize now that almost EVERYONE I know feels this same way. It’s like we all have been tricked into thinking that we are the only ones who don’t have direction. If you have experienced these worries, hear me when as I proclaim YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Take a deep breath and just take baby steps. One bite at a time. Use your gifts that God has given you. Start simple and don’t be afraid if the first choice doesn’t work out. After all, all He cares about is that whatever we do, that we do it for Him. |
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College Students: Join us twice a month for a home cooked meal. The next College Dinner is Monday, January 28th at 7:00 p.m. at The Inserra's (Tom & Marcia). Upcoming College Dinners are being held at the Grimsley's, the Naitove's, the Parsons', the Folsom's, Dr. Robinson's, and the Simmons'. For more info and to RSVP contact Kaitlyn Ary: kaitlyn@nomorethirst.org. EasterOnTheMoon.com The news is true! The Well's Easter Sunday service will be held on The Moon at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 23rd. Make plans for you and all your friends to attend this very special event. For more information, keep checking EasterOnTheMoon.com
This Sunday, Dean will deliver the first annual "State of the Church" address.
Sunday Service is held at Godby High School. Join us in the auditorium each week at 6:00 p.m. WELL EVENTS Looking for something to do? Check out wellevents.nomorethirst.org for the latest info. Contact kaitlyn@nomorehtirst.org for more information. "Come on Home" INTRO VIDEO The Well's "Come On Home" intro video is now on the web! Check it out here. The Well WEBCASTS Dean's sermons are now available online at nomorethirst.org. Save them to your IPod, burn them on a cd, or listen to them over the internet. Sermons will be added each Sunday night following the service. PRAYER POINT Tiffany Singleton, in Africa to serve for nine months. eGIVING eGiving is here! Log on to egiving.nomorethirst.org to set up your eTithe. |
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Visit www.nomorethirst.org for more info! |
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| Dean Inserra, Pastor Scott Simmons, Worship Leader dean@nomorethirst.org scott@nomorethirst.org | |
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| Copyright 2008 © The Well Sunday Nights, 6:00 p.m. @ the Godby High School Auditorium | |
