May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us– yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17
I can so vividly remember the night I surrendered my desire to leave for the World Race in September 2015 and follow the nudge God was giving me to wait until January 2016. I had no idea what he was going to do with the awkward amount of time between graduation in May 2015 and my launch 8 months later in January 2016. Who was going to hire someone for 8 months? I wanted to be the go-getter I was and run straight from graduation to the mission field, and the fear of fundraising played no role in holding me back. But God said, “slow down,” so I reluctantly responded, “ok, lets do this, I trust you,” and stepped forward in uncertain confidence toward a January 2016 Launch.
Within days I saw a post for a designer at a company named Brilliance LED, however it was not the job description, or the LED bulbs they designed and produced that intrigued me most, but it was the fact that they were a small faith and values based company that had my attention. At this time I was applying to dozens of places and thought nothing of it after I sent off the email to Brilliance LED.
As I was applying for jobs I was fully invested in showing all that I was, what I was preparing to do, and my philosophy regarding design (see my portfolio for more on that www.christianshappee.com). I had everything exposed including a navigation tab named “blog” that linked to my World Race blog on my portfolio. In critiquing my newly completed portfolio my mom suggested I unlink my blog, not to hide anything, but just to avoid being shut out of an opportunity before even getting face time in an interview where I could then share my aspirations for leaving 8 months after my hire date for the a mission trip (haha). I agreed and decided to do so, however after hanging up the phone I instantly fell asleep that night. I woke up the next morning in a panic realizing I had not unlinked my blog the night before and that half a dozen potential employers had most likely already opened my portfolio link I had sent them the previous evening. I rushed to open my computer and unlink my blog but first noticed an email notification from Brilliance LED, inviting me in for an interview, and the email ended with “PS…I really liked your blog post from yesterday” to which I rejoiced, and thought wow, God you do have a plan!
Brilliance LED ended up hiring me because of three large points 1. Our commonality in faith and a life laid down for Christ 2. My multi-faceted design ability (marketing, graphic, and industrial design) and willingness to wear many hats as the company continues to grow. And 3. My close proximity to their Carefree offices which was only made possible by my decision to move back into my parents home in preparation for the race. Their mindset was that they needed someone at the beginning of the summer, I exceeded those needs, and that if God brought me to them for this season, then God would do the same when I left in January by providing the right person for that season.
Here we are 2 months later, almost to the end of the summer, and the blessings that have come out of my employment and relationship with Brilliance LED has far exceeded my wildest expectations and dreams. Firstly, I absolutely LOVE the company and people I work for and with. Secondly, they love me too, and have chosen to bless me in ways I could have never imagined. The owners, Steve, Patti, and Bryan whom I have a daily relationship with have decided to share my story through several outlets, one of them being our sales rep chain. Accompanied by this exposure is the fact that all donations that come via a Brilliance LED relationship will be matched first by the company, and secondly by Steve and Patti personally. WHAT! That means every $1 donated equals $3! This kind of thing doesn’t just happen; this was divinely planned the moment I decided to trust God and commit to January. Their generosity cannot even be put into words, it is an absolute overflow of their commitment to and love for Christ, and the purest example of how I want to love and support others in my life.
In addition to the favor in my job has been abundant favor in almost every other area of my life as well. This past weekend I got to spend the weekend in Huntington Beach, CA with a very close friend, whose father is a doctor and donated my travel vaccinations as part of how he is supporting me! I have entered into discipleship with an incredible man of faith and wisdom and it is building me up in ways I never knew were possible. I am volunteering at Antioch and forging relationships with fellow believers unlike I ever have in the past. I am hearing and feeling God in huge ways, and I am moving forward on mission in new and deepened confidence.
The last thing I want is for this post to read as a means of bragging, or a hey look at all the awesome things God is doing for me over here! No, it is my prayer that this post reaches you in a way that builds courage, confidence, and inspiration in your spirit, mind, and body to step forward towards that thing God is whispering in your ear. I had no plan when I decided I was going to do the World Race, my family had doubts, fundraising and logistics brought worry, and the culture we are a part of brought insecurity and doubt into my desire to veer off of the path towards the American Dream. But I said YES, and so can you.
Take away one, if he is calling you, he already knows how he is going to make it happen, just trust. Take away two, just because you hear God calling you to something, it does not mean he has finished speaking, continue to discern through the when, the where, etc; but do not confuse this to mean you have to figure it all out before you start taking steps toward the vision. God did not tell me to leave in January 2016 until AFTER I was already accepted to the September 2015 route.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us– yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17. This scripture feels so real right now as I can literally feel and see God establishing the work of my hands as I rest upon him, and it is beyond obvious that his favor is raining down on me.
Thank you for the love, prayer, and support!
