Experiencing Divine Delays: I'M EMPLOYED & MOVING!

​It’s been a long time coming, but I can finally say I’m employed at my dream institution, in an amazing position where I’ll be able to continue to cultivate relationships with our nation’s youngest upcoming leaders. However, before I tell you the ending of this story, I think it’s important to reflect on my journey and how I got to where I am today… So, let’s begin on May 4th.
 
I knew in that moment that this picture was going to mean something to me one day. I had just received an email from the school I was supposed to be interviewing with that following day about the cancellation of my upcoming interview. I was so upset that I burst into tears, but thankfully I had some really great friends around who immediately put me in check (Shout out to PJ, Alexis, Imani, and Dallas, THANK YOU!) Honestly, at this point I was really counting on that second interview to work out because I had just turned down another opportunity the week prior. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Maya, are you really in a position to turn down opportunities in the middle of a global health pandemic?” Well the answer to that question is “yes”, I would encourage anyone who’s reading this to NEVER SETTLE. You have to know what you bring to the table, so if push comes to shove you can & will be willing to sacrifice and eat alone (this goes for all aspects of life—relationships, friendships, etc.). It wasn’t an easy decision turning down my first job offer, but God and my gut told me to just hold on a little while longer, “I’m preparing something even greater for you, but you must be patient and be willing to have a good attitude while doing so.” (Honey, talk about some serious development and maturing.)
 
Anyway, moving forward, my strategic timeline was altered, actually completely thrown off, and I had no other opportunities that were on the horizon at this time. By the end of May your girl was still unemployed, on her way back to her hometown filled with anxiety, frustration, and fear (isn’t it the best when God has a sense of humor). I had moved back home, and at this point I wasn’t too keen on trusting God’s plan at the moment. I wanted my plan to work out so badly that I decided to neglect God’s plan (DON’T DO THIS, it just makes the process way harder than it has to be). If we’re going to call a spade a spade at this point, then my attitude didn’t really reflect my true character. God has always been faithful, he’s always come through and shown out, so what’s the difference now? Just because it didn’t happen on my timeline, doesn’t give me the right to continue to act like a spoiled brat. (We are all still learning, so don’t judge me).
 
So, at this point I had been at home for a couple of weeks, interviewing or at least having a lead each week which kept me motivated, but after about four weeks straight of interviewing (first, second, and final rounds) I became exhausted. I didn’t want to go through this process anymore and I began to get frustrated with God again. I had all the questions in the world. Like why is COVID-19 even a thing? I’ve been a good person, I’ve treated people right, I’ve loved my students, family, and friends, why is this even happening to me? Why am I not employed yet? ----- And right in that moment, I felt like God stepped on my neck, he said “Maya, why not you? Yes, you’re my daughter, yes, I love you, but I didn’t promise you a perfect life, and you know this already, so get it together girl and tighten and up!” After, that stern talking to, I began to approach my entire job search differently. I only applied to jobs where I knew that if they were to offer me the job then I would accept on the spot. Which means the location would be ideal, salary would be great, and the position would challenge me and encourage me to grow personally & professionally.  
 
Once I adjusted my attitude, my vision became clearer, and I didn’t struggle with the idea that the position that was meant for me was going to take a little bit longer than I imagined. Over the next few weeks I had several opportunities presented themselves, which put me in a position to be able choose what I would like (crazy right!) So, to recap we went from being in constant interview mode to having to make some tough decisions on how to move forward with a couple of options. You would think that I would be less stressed, but I wasn’t, I didn’t want to turn down any institution especially one that wanted me; however, I knew deep down in my gut where I actually belonged.
 
The lesson I learned through this decision-making process was that there is POWER in writing your vision and actually believing in it. I warn you be careful who you share it with. Some people won’t understand it, some won’t believe it, and some just won’t support it. So be strategic, ask God for discernment about who you should share this with and then go from there.
 

• Habakkuk 2:2-3 states “write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end — it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.”

 
So that’s exactly what I did, I wrote down that I was going to be hired by the University of California, Santa Cruz campus as the Student Government & Leadership Coordinator & if it was in God’s will then he would make it happen. AND HONEY guess what?! He did! I got way more than I could even ask in every way — location, position, and salary etc.
 
I’m going to close with this “Stay focused, be encouraged, and don’t you dare settle for anything— not a job, a man, nor any of your future plans!” I have a lot more to share but that would just be too much in one post, so I hope you enjoyed!!
 
Besos for now,
Maya A. Mapp
 

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