Period of transition and uncertainty

"God is able to do immeasurably more in my life than I could ever think or imagine." - Ephesians 3:20. This was the affirmation I had been living by and meditating on for a whole year at a time when there was so much uncertainty in my life.

In the past two years prior to that year, things have not been easy. In 2012 I had graduated thinking I had everything all set – a job offer to teach abroad for a year, return to London and go to law school and obtain a training contract (TC).

Unfortunately things did not go to plan and I was thrown into what was to be a really trying time for me. In that space of time, not only did the job offer fall through at the last minute but I also lost loved ones and due to a combination of the two, felt demoralized in my attempts to build myself back up again. I felt displaced. I felt stagnant. I felt alone. While other friends successfully made the transition from university into the world of work and adulting – dealing with budding careers, moving out of their parents' homes and relationships – I was living at home, single, jobless and with no income. While I didn’t let jealousy or envy take root, comparison was still valiant in making me feel like I was losing in the rat race of life that we had all embarked on. The training wheels had come off and I found that my wobbly strides had caused me to stumble while others were cycling ahead.

I was very much the type of person who liked to know what was happening each and every step of the way but we all know life doesn't work out like that. I did feel discouraged but interestingly enough, in a time when things were not going my way, I decided to lean in and draw closer and closer to God and now, in retrospect, I can't help BUT see His hand in everything that had happened since. My “gap year”, a year after university, although unplanned, was a revolutionary time in my life as I grew in faith and maturity. God was gracious enough to lead me into amazing internships, work placements and experiences which took me through the world of law in the UK and Ghana, commercial property, journalism and media. It was at IPMC 2013 (a Christian Conference) that I heard Pastor John Gray preach such a profound message on faith and being launched into ones next chapter. This led me to Ephesians 3:20 and beckoned me into what had been a blessed and fantastic year.

I attended law school for my GDL and worked with laser focus and determination to secure vacation schemes and training contracts (TC) that I had previously told myself I was not “good enough” and “smart enough” for. Even changing this mindset was revolutionary for me and allowed me to manifest in faith what I had been praying for. Not only was I seeing myself in multiple interview processes for some of the top law firms in the City, but I was also getting through them. I was so blessed to have the support of friends and family who have known my struggle and have been so patient – my parents and friend reviewing my applications and friends also understanding why I couldn’t hang out and socialise as much as I used to. God really came through for me though and I’m glad to say it was not in vain - I subsequently secured a TC with a top international US firm and embarked on a two year training contract which had not only been the most professionally challenging and rewarding experience but it also brought me to some of the most supportive peers who I am so proud to have as friends and mentors.

Years on, I have faced some highs and I have faced some lows but on reflection, and in spite of the lows, I am thankful for all the blessings and continued blessings God has given me and I remind myself that God is above it all and is on the throne. Had things gone my way all those years ago, sure, I probably would have gone to another law school, I might've stayed abroad teaching a bit longer but then I would not have experienced this journey and would not have grown and learnt things about myself that that would otherwise have laid dormant. In this period, I learned what it means to be resilient in adversity, patience and humility and in turn to never judge others in where they are in life. There was much expectation on me and family friends and others often enquired and silently judged when it was discovered that I had missed out on my job offer abroad and wasn’t working. Keeping up with the Jones’ is a horrible way to live and as the saying goes, comparison really is the thief of joy. Thankfully, I have had the experiences I have had and I have met THE most incredible people along the way. I believe that things happen for a reason but I also believe that God has so much more for me in store. I hope this encourages anyone who is going through a period of transition or uncertainty where things are not going to plan. Give it to God, the Architect and Designer. What is meant for us will come to us and so we can confidently let go of what isn’t meant for us.

“After you have suffered a little while, God will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you” – Peter 5:10.