Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
Nearly four years ago, I made one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made. I made the decision to completely change my career path and become a computer software implementation consultant. To make things more challenging, I was going to be leaving the friendly confines of New Jersey and traveling on a regular basis.
I’m sure to those who knew me, I was losing my mind. My friends had long since nicknamed me “Mr. Conservative.” If I found something I was comfortable with, I was going to go back to that well time and time again. I can’t tell you how many times I ordered a Jim Dandy with 5 scoops of Cookies N’ Cream ice cream at Friendly’s or a fajita at Bennigan’s.
Although I was conservative with my food selections, I was tremendously more-so when it came to my career or travel choices. However, after meeting Dee, I decided the time had come to make a change. If we were going to date, I had no choice but to step foot outside of New Jersey. If that was possible, why not take things a step further and join the ranks of the computer techies?
I soon found out that becoming a computer guru wasn't going to be as pleasant as hopping on a plane to visit Dee in Minnesota. I'll never forget the look in Dee's eyes as I fruitlessly toiled with trying to figure out how to turn on my laptop (the new tool of my trade). Unfortunately, things would only get worse during my initial consulting engagements.
Thankfully, I had at my side the ultimate consultant, Jesus Christ. I can't tell you how many prayers I said at those accounts. There were days I would throw my hands in the air (out of view from the clients of course) and in complete desperation beg "Lord, please help me!!" Each and every time He did just that. Out of thin air, some impossible question would be answered, some hurdle would be cleared, or some obstacle removed.
Four years later, I’m not only surviving but thriving and I have the Lord to thank for all of it. At home, I have an award that says “Consultant of the Year - Frank Z.” Each time I look at it, I can’t help but think back to that fruitless struggle with the laptop and all the impossible hurdles that were ‘magically’ cleared along the way. In my heart, there’s no question whose name should be on the bottom of that plaque: “Jesus Christ.”