One morning I was hiking, I had my backpack, my good pair hiking boots and some water and snacks. The breeze was cool and the birds were chirping cheerfully. By midmorning I loaded some additional tools and skills that I acquired along the road into my pack and I was ready go track along my path, some colleagues join up and chose turnoffs and let me be on my own again  with lots of brain space to ponder on whether this was still the ‘right’ path to be on. Lunch did not only hit me with hunger pains but also with a cross road. Four directions? I just did not know where to go… I got out my map book, GPS and my cell, to phone a friend … but did not even know what to search for …?

Am I still on the right career path? What am I worth? Will I ever get to the top?  What is the next step? Is this what I want to do? Is this what God wants me to do? What are my long-term goals? What is my God given talents and how can I use it?

Have you asked yourself some of these questions, or even more? Have you ever felt a bit lost in terms of your career path, or honestly do you feel totally ‘rigting-beduiweld’ most of the time? Some of us do not feel that way, and that includes me. I admit that in terms of direction, north / south etcetera, I honestly do not have a clue, but in terms of my career I feel quite blessed with direction and contentment.  … At least for now… If you are in the same boat as me, let us explore anyway, for the times that may come and perhaps we can understand friends and family that do feel lost at the moment.

Not only do we consider career choices during the last years of high school and when finishing after-school studies, crossroads may also appear after a couple of year’s work experience , before starting a family, mid-years, after the children leave the house and even at ‘random’ in the ‘middle of the road’.

Certain health challenges, the environment of our workplaces (physical and psychological), industry events and legislation changes may also compel us to consider our career paths. I am reminded of the change in the Pharmaceutical industry a couple of years ago, safety in mines and the rise and fall of the IT-industry.

Sometimes our knowledge and skills nudge us in a certain direction, while our life skills is still need some growth, this was the life lesson learned by a friend that shared her career path with me. In her case, Time Management, Financial Management and Self-confidence were the tools she needed for success in her new career path.

Through all this external and internal factors we have not even mentioned that our lives are in control of the Almighty that have a plan for us that we might not even beware of.  This all sounds a bit complex and thus the need for a strong support group, which may be in the form of a home church, cell, friends or family.

Here is some good news; you have the best map book available, a timeless reference that you can use while mapping your career path. I will list a couple of verses to start your studies and I invite you to explore even more and to discuss this with the ultimate Tour guide, Our Father!

Ps 127:2, Ps 1:1-3, Joh 6:27, 1 Cor 10:31, 1 Cor 15:58, Ecc 9:10,

Mat 25:21, Mat 25:26 -43, Jos 24:15, Ps 32:8, Ps 37:3-5, 23,

Prov 12:14, Prov 28:19, Eph 6:5-9

May your career path be adventurous and may you be blessed by this promise from the Word.

Ps 32:8 The Lord says,

“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

I will advise you and watch over you.”

By Nettie Fick