Life brings new seasons, new assignments, and sometimes unexpected adjustments. On August 3, I began a new full-time position as a Career Coach and Communication Coordinator for The Studio for Vocation and Calling at Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minnesota.
The position feels as though it was designed for me! I get to coach the next generation as they explore their vocation and calling while continuing to produce social media content. After 25 years of self-employment, adjusting to an 8 a.m.–4 p.m. schedule has taken some getting used to!
This transition has also raised questions about the future of Kingdom Women Coaching and the Ebenezer Experience at our home in Hugo. The answer is yes, both will continue! I hope to resume coaching and gatherings in the new year, with some refreshing changes to the Ebenezer Experience. Stay tuned for details.
In the meantime, this new assignment has given me something to reflect on: belonging and becoming.
Belonging Comes Before Becoming
You may have seen billboards around the Twin Cities that say Belong and Become. The phrase caught my attention because it speaks to something important in our walk with Jesus Christ. In order to become, we first need to know that we belong.
During a recent meeting at Bethel, we reflected on three words that describe how Jesus helps people belong and become:
- Comfort
- Connection
- Contribution
We were directed to the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1–10.
Zacchaeus was a wealthy tax collector, despised by many for working with the Roman Empire and often taking advantage of his own people. When Jesus came to Jericho, Zacchaeus climbed a tree so he could see above the crowd.
Jesus stopped, looked up, and called him by name:
“Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:5, NIV)
Jesus saw Zacchaeus when others looked down on him. He invited Himself into Zacchaeus’s home, and that encounter changed Zacchaeus’s life. Zacchaeus responded by giving generously to the poor and making restitution to those he had cheated.
Three words can be seen in this encounter:
Comfort: Jesus saw Zacchaeus and called him by name.
Connection: Jesus moved toward him and invited him into relationship.
Contribution: Zacchaeus responded with a transformed life, using what he had to bless others and make things right.
Jesus didn’t simply offer Zacchaeus a moment of acceptance. He invited him into a relationship that transformed how he lived.
From Belonging to Kingdom Purpose
This is what happens when we encounter Jesus. He sees us, invites us into relationship with Him, and transforms us so we can participate in His work here on earth.
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works He prepared in advance for us. Our purpose isn't something we have to manufacture on our own. As we grow in Christ, we learn to recognize and walk in the good works He has prepared for us.
This is at the heart of biblical discipleship: following Jesus, becoming more like Him, and learning to help others follow Him, too.
Whether you are navigating a career transition, discerning a new assignment, or wondering how God wants to use your gifts and experiences, remember that you don't have to have everything figured out before you begin. Jesus sees you. He knows your name. He invites you to follow Him.
As we grow in Him, we discover how our unique experiences, gifts, and circumstances can become part of His Kingdom purpose. We move from simply asking where we belong to asking how we can contribute to what God is doing around us.
To become, we must first know that we belong. We belong to Christ, and as we grow in Him, we become disciples who help others belong and become, too.
