​    When I came to California I had an idea of what the first year of my MBA program would look like: I’d breeze through my classes, get an entertainment summer internship, and be THE sought out 2nd year to speak with when classes resumed in the fall. Whelp I was wrong on all accounts. While there have been many high moments in business school and great experiences there have also been many trials and struggles. Thankfully I was pretty solid on my sense of self before business school started but there would have to be a lot of professional growth that needed to take place in between business school years. 

       I had to get some tangible internship experience and I had to get my hunger back. When I first started the program, I would have been content interning at a big company and taking cute pics, but my naivety and immaturity probably wouldn’t have gotten me far in the role or helped in my campaign for full time positions. So God led me somewhere unexpected: an e-commerce art company, a position I almost didn’t apply for. It is in this role working alongside the company founder that I am being molded and equip. As the business is only comprised of myself and the founder I have a lot of responsibility and a vested interest in wanting to see the company succeed. As there are only two of us, there is nowhere to hide, no one to pick up my slack if the work doesn’t get done. I also take more pride in my work and try to make every minute count because I know my hourly rate is coming from an entrepreneur and not a major corporation. In my role, my voice is heard, and I get to wear a lot of hats. Creative direct a photoshoot? Sure! Reach out to potential business partners? Check! Find opportunities to participate in promotional events in the city? Got it! I know I wouldn’t have gotten this kind of varied experience anywhere else; like positions prior to business school I may have slipped through the managerial cracks and simply done my role, not seeking out additional projects or new ideas.

     Furthermore, in regards to getting my hunger back, the process of landing a summer internship was long and full of many highs and lows. But I’m grateful to be in the mode of seeking out opportunities, keeping relationships warm, and constantly keeping my skills sharp as I will need this same energy to begin looking for full-time opportunities in the fall.

   So as you go about your life and see things aren’t unfolding as they seem, look a little closer and see if God is redirecting you. That redirection may not mean you won’t get to your same final destination but God needed to take you a different route because there were some things He needed to show you along the way.

   “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths.” (Psalm 25: 4)

  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 56: 8-9)
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 “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.” (Proverbs 21: 2)

            Growing up is a minute process; something you don’t notice everyday but when you step back you can see how far you’ve progressed. Now as far as physical growth I’m pretty sure I’m done developing as an adult but spiritually the opportunities are boundless.  
 
            “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.” (Hebrews 6: 1-3)
 
          “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
 
            While physical growth can be detected with scales and measuring sticks; I believe spiritual growth can be detected through being put in similar situations and reacting differently.
 

          An area of my life I can see a lot of growth in is my attitude at work.
God is giving me a teachable spirit able to receive criticism and feedback, something I get nearly every day in the TV business. Generally, if nothing’s said you did your job but if a conversation is to be had, you did not meet the bar that day. So one day I found myself in the manager’s office with my tail in between my legs so to speak; I knew I didn’t have a good newscast. But thanks to being in similar scenarios two years ago at my first job I had a broader perspective and knew a mistake was not the end of the world. I had a sense of peace; situations that would have brought me to tears two years ago now don’t faze me as much.
 
            And I think it’s so cool how God can use our growth to help others.  The other day a coworker came to me in tears after what she thought was a bad show, having experienced similar situations I was able to comfort her and the amazing thing was I consider this person a nemesis of sorts. We’ve never gotten into any physical fights or dramatic arguments but we just never meshed well; like oil and water. Nonetheless I feel it was an opportunity for me to grow; build her up and not relish in her pain. In hindsight, I could see myself in her; where I was two years ago in my first job; trying to be an authoritative young person and not wear my emotions on my sleeve. I was grateful for the opportunity to help and hope my words made a difference.
 
      “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3: 16
 

     Today I heard a great sermon about Joseph and the many tests he went through to reach his destiny. (He would become the 2nd highest in command in Egypt and prepare the area to survive a severe famine.)

     An interesting thing I learned was that God has a dream for each of our lives.  But in order to move from the dream stage of our lives to our destiny, we must have character.

A few definitions for character: 

•          “moral or ethical quality”
•       “qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity”
•       “reputation”
•          “good repute”

      God knows us better than we know ourselves. We can’t fool God into thinking we have good character and hope to be elevated to higher positions.  I was told today, it is God’s grace that doesn't put us in our destiny early because we would fall for lack of character.  Joseph was in jail 13 years before he rose to 2nd in command.  How do we get character? Perseverance.  Perseverance is a long trial that involves a battle. When we have this character that gives us hope, and hope produces appointment. 

     I personally believe we each have many appointments in life. I think about my current job where I am the youngest person in the building; I consider that a blessing and an appointment.  But I know there are greater appointments that God has for me.  And until then I have to practice one of my least favorite things: patience. Patience is “keeping your heart right while you wait.”  So I will practice patience as I make the most out of my current appointment and see what other blessings God has in store for me.