September 18: Insight Post by Elaine Ward
Friday Insight Post
by Elaine Ward
As I pray and reflect on the spiritual discipline of guidance, I’m reminded of times in my life when I was attentive to how God was guiding me and when I wasn’t. I sometimes wish I could go back and redo/change some of those times, yet I’m reminded of Romans 8:28 (NIV), And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. So, I try not to beat myself up, and I continue to move forward. In Philippians 3:14 (NIV) the apostle Paul reminds us, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
When I’m staying close to Him, i.e. reading His Word regularly and meditating on it as Pastor Rusty described in Wednesday’s post, Jesus guides my walk, which has been purposefully designed by Him. When I do my own thing, I’m clearly not on the path He desires. Just as Bret Burzio spoke about staying on the trails close to his dad, we need to do the same with our Father. He wants to protect us and walk through life's tough times with us.
Last year was one of the toughest years in my life, I was diagnosed with early-stage invasive breast cancer. The kind of cancer was supposed to be aggressive, but my tumor was very small. I was then told that I needed to do both chemotherapy and radiation. Yet it was hard to comprehend, because my tumor was small. I learned that this kind of breast cancer is likely to travel to other places in the body and grow there.
Meanwhile I was leading my team at work through the toughest times in my career with all the changes in our federal work programs. I ended up laying off over 100 people and guiding my team through what became a major reorganization of our company. It was devastating for all of us; many of us had worked together for over a decade and, in a few cases, over two decades.
I found it hard to concentrate on my work, my team, my health, and my family. And it was hard to discern the ‘right’ path forward. God began to reveal to me that I needed to stop trying to be a ‘fixer’ and to just rely on Him day-by-day.
I finished my cancer treatments early in 2026. Shortly after, I was told that given the new size of my team, I would need to find another job in my company. I knew this was coming but expected to be asked to consider a few options. I was devastated. That day I traveled (for work) to an Engineers Without Borders Conference in Portland, OR. I could hardly think straight. I was asked to tell my entire division, by videoconference from Oregon, that we were being disbanded the next day. I prayed I wouldn’t break down on that call and that Jesus would guide my words and heart as I navigated probably the toughest meeting of my career. He did.
Later that week as I was meditating on God’s Word, I felt the Holy Spirit say to me, “It’s OK. It’s time for you to step away.” I thought, “retire, seriously??” I thought I had a few years left, but God clearly had another plan. I prayed and asked God to show me if that’s what He really wanted me to do.
Over the next few weeks, many things confirmed where God was leading me, including my husband's and daughters’ support and encouragement, my lowered heart rate and blood pressure, and the loss of my desire to look for another job within my company.
I’ve been officially retired since June 1st, yet many important things that God has wanted me to focus on have filled my days since I left my 45-year career as a Systems Engineer. I’m excited about the path ahead and look forward to continuing to tell others about His goodness and abundant mercies that renew us daily.
I pray that you’ll let Him guide you. For we are His children, and He wants to do that for us.
Elaine Ward
Leadership Team Chair