Reflection 42: Listening to the Land and to God

In my work, I see change happening everywhere.

Land that once sat quietly is now being cleared. Small towns that once felt stable are now facing rapid development. Growth is constant, and in many ways, it feels unstoppable.

But not all growth is welcomed.

I have seen communities push back. I have heard residents express concern about losing the character of their towns, the pace of change, and the feeling that their voices are not being fully heard. Many of these communities do not have the resources, staff, or systems in place to manage the level of development coming their way.

And that has made me pause.

Because this is not just theoretical for me. This is my work. This is what I am a part of.

It has led me to start asking deeper questions.

Am I truly serving these communities well?
Are their voices being heard in the way they deserve?
Am I helping protect what matters, or unintentionally contributing to something that overlooks it?

I have always believed that God led me into this career for a reason. That there is purpose in the work I do. That I am meant to serve people through it.

But lately, I have felt a shift.

Not a rejection of where I am, but a quiet stirring that something may be changing. A sense that I am being invited to look at my role more closely and to discern how I can serve more faithfully.

Because sometimes, growth without discernment can come at a cost.

Communities are not just land parcels or development opportunities. They are people. Families. Histories. Ways of life that deserve to be respected.

And when those voices feel unheard, something important is lost.

That is what has been weighing on me.

Discernment is not always comfortable. It brings questions without immediate answers. It can make you feel uncertain about decisions you once felt confident in.

But questioning is not the same as doubting.

Sometimes, it is preparation.

Preparation for a shift.
Preparation for a deeper calling.
Preparation to step into something that better aligns with truth and service.

I do not have all the answers yet. I do not fully know what this next step looks like.

But I do know this.

If God placed me here, then He is also guiding what comes next.

So for now, I am praying for clarity. Praying for wisdom. Praying for the courage to follow wherever He leads, even if that path looks different than I expected.

Because at the end of the day, my desire is simple.

To serve people well.
To respect the dignity of the communities I encounter.
And to listen, not just to the land, but to the voice of God moving through it all.