This month ends one of the longest seasons of my life so far, that of full-time education. It began in February 1994 when I began kindergarten, and seventeen years later I have arrived at the end of this season with a Higher School Certificate, all but one unit of a Bachelor of Theology, and most recently a Diploma of Graphic Design.
I am writing this blog from my Gold Coast unit overlooking the ocean where I am taking time out to celebrate this end of a season. Leading up to this point I was giving my studies my all. Hardly sleeping and dedicating every spare moment to my final assessment (my graphic design portfolio), i was motivated by this coming getaway. Arriving at this getaway was a sudden halt in momentum. Being so driven to finish everything and do it well, it was strange to be here and have nothing to do but simply relax. Organizing people to cover every day-to-day responsibility I carry makes this 2 week holiday is quite surreal.
The view from my balcony..
Once I return home I will be commencing a new season of full-time work as a graphic designer, one that I am very excited for. I am a big believer in taking time out after the end of a season to reflect, process and look forward. In commencing this new season I want to be as ready as possible to be able to give it my all.
Yesterday afternoon I was reading Luke chapter 4 where Jesus went into the desert for 40 days after he was baptized, right before he started his public ministry. What struck me about this passage was how Jesus had just ended one season of 30 years of preparation for his public ministry and before transitioning into this new season was taking a 40 day fast in the desert.
While my 2 week beach-side holiday in Queensland is far from Jesus’ 40 day fast in the desert, I see the principle as the same. For me, this 2 week getaway is a chance to spend some time with God, thank Him for bringing me to this point, and seek His direction for the future. I am also praying that in this time he will renew me and refresh me for this next season of life.
Preparation is important. If I am to do this next season well and to run the long race, I want to start from a place of strength. I would never want to start a new season still tired from the last and be running on the momentum of a season gone by. As a driven person, this sudden halt in momentum may be challenging, but I am excited relax, to seek God, and to get ready for the next season of life!
