So, what’s your next step?
This is a question I often ask when I am coaching students. It can be applied to simple things like, “How are you going to get all your work done this week?,” all the way to, “What can you do now to get to that dream job someday?”
I love asking this question. I love helping kids fill in the details of their sketched out dreams. At the same time, it can be challenging to work through. The conversation often leads to a heavy sigh and a frustrated, “I don’t know!”
But that’s where the coaching comes in. That’s where, from the outside, you can help the person find their footing on the inside. That’s where, step by step, we grow. And maybe just maybe get that homework done on time.
I’ve been home for 3 months now and you know what question I am getting more than ever?
So Caitlin, what’s next?
Now the thing is, I might love to ask this question. But when the tables are turned, I start to resonate more and more with those frustrated sighs of my students. Back when I was still in South Africa dreaming up what was next, and maybe freaking out slightly that I had no idea, I wrote the heading “What’s Next” in my journal. I proceeded to brainstorm questions that people tend to ask when you are in one of life’s big transitions (graduating, starting a job, becoming a parent, retiring etc.) Here are the top 3 questions I came up with:
1. Where are you going?
2. What do you want to do?
3. What do you want to be?
As I searched scripture and listened to the Holy Spirit, these are the answers I came to:
1. Where are you going? Wherever God leads me
2. What do you want to do? Love God and people
3. What do you want to be? A child of God and ambassador of Christ’s kingdom
Isn’t that beautiful? These answers make me so grateful to know the all-knowing Shepard during this unknown journey. He leads me, his little sheep, through each next step. He is always faithful. All I have to do is follow. And the same is true for you.
Isn’t that freeing? Notice none of these answers have to do with what job I have, where I live, or when I start a family. That means there is endless FREEDOM in what our next steps look like practically. We can get creative, live for heavenly treasures and not earthly ones, and leave fear behind.
That fear part is often the hangup, but it doesn't have to be. As we fix our eyes on this God of Love, fear melts away. We can trust our unknown futures to our known God.
Sometimes, God does give you a burning-bush or knock-you-off-your-horse type moment. If so, I hope you listen because He has good things in store for His children. And if not, still bring your creative plans to Him as you build a relationship of trust and communication, seek scripture and wise counsel, and then, this is the part we tend to skip, actually listen. Thanks to the finished work of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit, we can confidently go into our next step knowing He goes before us and He dwells in us.
Wow. I have successfully preached for a few paragraphs without giving any sort of practical answer to that question: “So Caitlin, what’s next?” I promise I am getting there. First, I want to encourage those of you also going through transitions. Remember who you are as a child of the Most High King, and rest assured that God dwells with you. Isn’t that what this whole advent season reminds us about? Emmanuel has come. Take steps with prayerful confidence and peace. God is with us. God is with you. That truth has the power to change our sighs of frustration to sighs of relief. We don’t always know but He always does.
Do you feel encouraged? I hope so! If not, give me a call and we can chat more. So now to the nitty gritty about what’s next.
In January, I will begin an internship with the Visitation Monastery in North Minneapolis. I will be living with 3 other young adults in an intentional Christian community called the Circle of the Beloved (It’s not a cult, I promise). I also will be mentored by many wise women including the Visitation Sisters and staff from the Circle of the Beloved. Lastly, I will be volunteering at a few organizations in the community to serve and also learn about sustainable, effective, and culturally relevant development work happening here in Minneapolis. If you are interested, you can find more about the Circle of the Beloved here and more about the internship here.
I want to thank you all again for your prayers and support in my adventure over these last 2+ years. I also appreciate all those who asked me about what’s next and have coached me along in finding the steps to get there.
The internship will come to an end during the summer months. My ‘what’s next’ after that is to move back to South Africa sometime shortly after the internship. That is the plan right now. I will continue following my Shepard knowing though I plan my way, He establishes my steps (Proverbs 16:9). Please continue to pray for me as this plan takes shape. Advice and words of wisdom are always welcome!
I am excited for what’s next, whatever it may be, and I pray you are too.
A restful Christmas to you all,
Sister Caitlin
(Just kidding! …Nunship isn’t in the plans for now, but I am your sister in Christ)
