January has been an incredible month to jump back into Fellows full swing. While, as always, there would be a plethora of things I could choose from to share from January (including the sweet birthday celebration the Fellows planned for me — literally heart melted) I feel like classes this month have been uniquely filling and different.
While we typically have classes that are weekly or semi-regular, this month we have had a large number of one or two-time seminars spanning a variety of topics from biblical finance, to the enneagram, to finding our strengths, to faith and work. Firstly, these have felt like such a privilege since each of the speakers were willing to give us time out of their insane schedules to teach and share, and they are all so inspiring. Also, these classes have easily felt like some of the most directly practical sessions I have had in Fellows.
A couple of my big takeaways from classes:
It is so important to understand how God has wired me. Knowing my default responses, my inner strengths, and the things that motivate me are critical to the way I engage with the world. Additionally, knowing these things isn’t for the purpose of “improving my weak areas,” but rather so I know how to play to my strengths and bring the best parts of myself to the table. The whole phrase of being “well-rounded” isn’t stupid, but people don’t succeed because they are mediocre at a lot of things, but rather because they are really good at a few things.
When it comes to practically engaging in the world as we know it, namely the workforce and finances as a grown adult, there are always going to be shifts and new things to learn. That being said, it’s important to get the big things right and have a rhythm of reevaluating how I am doing in the other areas.
Don’t be afraid of change and opportunity. I have had a mindset, often fed by older generations in the workforce, that once I pick a job, I should plan to be consistent and committed to the organization I work for. However, it is crazy to think that for most of us there is really only one “right place” to work. It has been helpful to feed the opposing narrative to work permanence that if there is an opportunity that God is opening to door to, it makes you excited, and you think it would provide a space for you to grow as a person, then TAKE IT! When things are unclear, trust is often more important than clarity.
Since I don’t have a clear way to wrap this post up with a bow, here’s a verse that has repeatedly come up and meant a lot to me throughout my life with Jesus which has recently become really meaningful once again.
2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
With love,
Emma <3