Last week, I experienced a moment in my industry that was the final straw. It culminated 13 years of striving, feeling like I was never doing enough, and constantly comparing myself to others. This moment, this feeling of being broken, was the tipping point. Merriam-Webster defines a tipping point as “the critical point in a situation, process, or system beyond which a significant and often unstoppable effect or change takes place.”
At first, I was angry, followed by mixed emotions.
However, in the moment of finally coming to the end of myself, something else was birthed within me. When I finally laid my real estate career at the feet of Jesus, I experienced a profound sense of relief and freedom. Over the next several days, peace filled me in ways I cannot describe. I no longer felt concern over my success as a realtor or the lack thereof. I no longer felt that my identity was attached to a title. I no longer felt led to compare myself to anyone and no longer cared how much money I could earn.
I enjoyed one of the most peaceful weekends, indulging in the things that bring me joy—things that may or may not bring joy to others. In the sanctuary of the 5 acres God has blessed me and my husband with, I saw the blessings of every little detail of God’s goodness to us. And I realized that true identity is found outside of societal expectations.
Yesterday, I had a candid conversation with a good friend. We touched on true identity and asked ourselves, “When was the last time you felt accepted for who you truly are, outside of what you do for a living or how much you earn?” This introspective discussion led my friend to share a beautiful recent experience when he had felt like his true self—the experience had been so sacred that it had brought him to tears.
This morning, as I watched the sunrise from my favorite bench, I reflected on the last several days. As I sat in silence, I felt God’s presence.
Instead of praying for everyday things, my heart was touched as the Spirit revealed to me the goodness of God in my life and that of my husband and our family. Instead of seeing disappointment and feeling unfulfilled, I could see the beauty of God’s blessings and provisions. I looked over the prairie and saw the morning dew glistening through the sunrise on the tall grass. Glancing to my left sat the old Airstream camper my husband and I recently purchased to renovate—a dream and goal we both share. Behind me sits our garden, tucked in with a fence my husband built to ensure we receive more of the garden’s bounty than the deer and bunnies who call our land home. I thought of all the meals we shared and the many hours spent preserving the food—both for our family and to share with others.
For the first time in a long time, I realized that God has not called us to an easy life filled with fun and more money than we know what to do with—He has called us to a life of obedience. A life that remembers the truth of our identities; we are called to serve, love, and care for people. Jesus never questioned his true identity or calling. He never strived for the easy path, and I’m sure there were many days when He was exhausted and weary. He was never given the security of a home on earth to put down roots—His “forever home” was in heaven with His Father. So is ours.
I sat unhurried on the bench—a grateful daughter— who finally understood her true identity: daughter of God, wife of Jesse, mother, sister, Mimi, friend—and realtor. Life is not a game of comparisons or competition. Instead, life is about trusting that God has you where you are for reasons that may not always make sense. His love for us and His plans for our lives will never fail. Nothing is more beautiful than feeling the peace of being one's true self in the presence of the One who created each of us for His pleasure and purpose.
Stay the Course…
Sheila
I Thessalonians 4:11 “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
