"It feels as if I'm standing on the edge of a cliff," I said to my best friend and employer. After a year of working as a sales agent in her real estate office, I had decided to take some time off to consider whether this was the career I wanted to pursue. I felt I needed a new direction, which I believed would come only from listening to God.

For the past year, I had been trying to convince myself that I belonged in real estate. This friend, a broker who was starting a new office, had been eager for me to join her. We enjoyed spending time together, and working with her had seemed like a logical move. In spite of serious doubts about my inclination toward the real estate business, I had rationalized the good timing of this opportunity and prayed that God would show me what I needed to know so that I could succeed. But the job never truly fit me.

After telling my friend about my decision, I struggled with self-condemnation and guilt. But daily prayer and systematic spiritual study helped me stay true to what I knew about God and my relation to my Father-Mother—that God created me in His/Her likeness, and knows me as perfect in every way. God constantly upholds my perfection, showing it to me in thoughts of peace and joy, in answered prayer. The negative thoughts were not from God, and therefore they could have no real power over me.

My unhappiness had brought me humbly to the divine Mind of the universe for direction. Self-condemnation was no part of that direction. I knew that Mind's loving guidance would come to me in a way I could understand and follow. So each time self-condemnation, self-pity, or self-will tried to take control, I prayed with this Bible verse: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jer.29:11). Then I listened for those thoughts of peace.

In one instance, they came to me early one morning. I felt God's loving presence embrace me as I read these words from a hymn:

I began to see that God's will for me is always good, as it is for each of us. As His perfect reflection, we are naturally receptive to His guidance. It is revealed to us throughout each day—a constant, loving presence that governs the smallest details of our busy lives.

We are not simply left to find our own way through a maze of possibilities until we hit upon the one that's right for us. Cherishing the presence of God each moment and expressing His love to others are very practical steps, which lead us beyond the limits of our mortal plans.

Suddenly I had a new vision. No longer was I standing on the edge of a cliff about to jump off. God's grace had lifted my thought, and I pictured myself on a beautiful mountaintop poised to fly!

The Bible assures us that God's help is always available: "Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (Isa. 41:10). The same divine guidance that the Hebrew prophets and Christ Jesus relied upon is ours today. Listening for that divine guidance is leading me into new directions. While real estate is no longer my full-time career, maintaining my license has enabled me to facilitate the purchase of a new building for an organization I belong to. Negotiating the various aspects of the transaction, meeting with city officials, and helping to coordinate remodeling plans have allowed me the opportunity to polish communication skills and to serve in new ways. Certainly God's plan for each of us is unique. Following His guidance daily, we are assured that we are always on the right path.

For me, sharing what I've learned with Sentinel readers is another step along God's path for me, and it feels right. His peace is with me this morning, a tangible presence as I'm writing. And the view from my mountaintop is incredible.