Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Recently I was conversing with a former university colleague about why I quit teaching. I resigned because something within me said (not in words), “your work here is done.” He was perplexed when I explained that I loved it; I enjoyed the students; I thought the pay was competitive; and that I was generally happy. I won’t forget the look on his face which implied, “How could you give up something that was going so well?” And then it hit me, most of us live our lives by external measure.
Whoever you’re working for, their business will be no more one day. It might deteriorate on your watch. The profession itself might be dying. The demand for the product might go away. Everything deteriorates, but often something within you will birth new life before the outer starts to show signs of wear.
I realized that I didn’t want to be where I was. How could I deny such compelling feelings? The exterior seemed strong and vibrant! But often we must pay attention not to the road signs “out there,” but to the inner signs. Those tend to be more forthcoming. The outward signs point to what is already past.
Whatever you are a part of – an organization, a church, a business, a family, a group – will dissolve. Truthfully, it’s dying right this moment. Even the country you are a citizen of is decaying and will collapse. But that’s OK. That’s the nature of the outside world. It’s literally dying, like our own bodies.
The outward signs are pointing to decay. The inward signs are pointing to new life. The inward signs are often preemptive and more trustworthy than what appears as “strong,” outward circumstances. Pay close attention to the inward signs, they’re pointing the way to new life.