God Is Pretty Good at Second ChancesSample

Day 2: A 20-Year Journey for a 4-Year Degree:
Have you ever felt like you’ve been setback or behind where you should be? I know I have.

Finish high school, attend college, earn a degree, and get a well-paying job. Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t go to college, the military was your other option. Those were the instructions passed down from generation to generation. I’m sure you’ve heard this growing up. And great advice, might I add. The truth of the matter is that I wish I had experienced college life, especially the HBCU life. I missed out on the dorm life and always wanted to be part of the D9 and go through that experience (I won’t say which sorority). Yes, I know from others that college life has its ups and downs, but what part of life does not?

My choices didn’t include college until I was twenty years old. I earned an Associate of Science degree from Bryant and Stratton College. Six months before graduating, I landed a part-time job in the corporate space as a secretary. After graduating, I stayed with the company and began working full-time. So, I checked all the boxes, right?

1) Finish high school.

2) Go to college.

3) Earn a degree.

4) Get a well-paying job.

Things were great!! At age twenty-two, I had an Associate of Science degree in information systems and a great job with great benefits. With my associate’s degree, I started my corporate career as a department secretary, then moved into a customer service rep role. From there, I moved into information technology as a help desk analyst, which is how my career in technology started.

During this time, I was living in Decatur, GA. I was working full-time, so I knew that whatever school I selected had to offer night school. In August 2002, I enrolled at DeVry University, where I studied part-time for three years. Originally, I chose computer science as my major. After about a year, I switched my major to business administration, focusing on entrepreneurship. Now, I’m living the dream!! I have a good job, and I’m back in college. It’s not at HBCU, and I’m not living in a dorm, but I’m in college earning a bachelor’s degree. I was actually living out my desire!!! And just like that, life happened, and it happened fast, and in 2005, I had to withdraw from school. Talk about a letdown!! For the next twelve years, I continued in my career. I took advantage of every training dollar available in my employer’s budget.

But I felt stuck. I had no idea what to do. So, I decided to go back to college to finish my business administration degree. I hit a major roadblock: FINANCES!! How was I going to pay for school? On top of this, I owed a former school money, so I couldn’t even get my transcript from that school. Desire seemed to be shattered once again. Oh, but by the grace of God. . . .

For the next three years, I studied leadership and biblical studies at BHU. The leadership classes were helpful in the marketplace and the church. Although I was thriving at BHU, something was unsettling. I was learning so much that helped me in the marketplace; however, I was thirsty to learn more of God’s word, which I felt was missing at BHU. After much fasting and praying, I withdrew and began taking classes at Point University in 2020. While studying Christian ministries at Point, I finally felt at peace about my degree program and my path. In June of 2022, I completed and earned a Bachelor of Science in Christian Ministries at Point University. This was all God’s doing, and I’m so glad I followed the unction of the Holy Spirit to shift because Point has prepared me for the next phase of my education.

God will give you the desires of your heart, even if it takes twenty years. It took me twenty years to complete a traditional four-year degree. Delay after delay, I finally earned a bachelor's degree at the magical age of fifty-two. Timing is everything, but in whose timing? Ecclesiastes tells us that there’s a time for everything, including life’s joys and life’s sorrows. The delays we experience in life are either self-induced by our decisions or by things we have no control over. Delays teach us to be patient and to endure. Delays can be character builders and testers of our faith. When God puts desires and purpose in your heart, no delay can thwart God’s plan unless you allow it. I don’t care how long it takes, KEEP GOING!!! Philippians 2:13 (MSG) reminds us, “For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.”

And the desire for higher education continues! I have told you only a piece of my journey, but this time, I found Proverbs 16:9 to be so true. While we may think our course for our lives is a result of our planning, it is actually the Lord's divine providence. Give all glory to Him and Him alone!

What specific setback or delay are you facing? Reflect on any lessons or insights gained from the experience. Look for potential positive outcomes or hidden opportunities that may have arisen. Remember that setbacks are a natural part of life, and how you respond to them can contribute to personal growth. Taking a proactive and reflective approach can help you navigate challenges more effectively.