FORGET THE FORMER THINGS: A NEW CAR

It was 2008, and I was fresh out of college, stepping into a new role at IBM. During my senior year, I drove a red 1999 Ford Escort, with a check engine light that seemed to mock me daily. No matter how many times I checked the engine, that light just wouldn’t go out. I became accustomed to it, dismissing it as just another quirk of my aging car. When the air conditioning broke, I shrugged it off, convinced that the AC and the engine were unrelated.

However, everything changed when I started my new job. Driving in the Texas heat without AC was a challenge I hadn’t anticipated, and it quickly became part of my daily routine. Every morning, I let the windows down, racing down the highway to catch whatever breeze I could find. The commute was at least an hour each way, and suddenly, the discomfort I had previously ignored became impossible to overlook. It became increasingly obvious that my escort was not built for my new destination.

That summer, one of my mentors suggested I get a new car. “You make a lot more money than you did in college; you can afford it, Ebony,” she insisted. But I resisted. I clung to my old car, convinced it was a practical choice. What my mentor didn’t realize was that my reluctance stemmed from fear. I was afraid I didn’t belong at IBM, that the job was too good to be true, and that I might fail. The thought of taking on a car note seemed daunting, especially if I didn’t live up to expectations. So, I stayed in my comfort zone, even if it meant enduring the sweltering heat and smelling like outdoors.

Then, the inevitable happened. One day, after attending an event on campus, my car refused to start—no clicks, no lights, nothing. In that moment, I realized my car had served its purpose. It had carried me through college, but it was time to move on. In the most poetic way, it died where my collegiate journey had ended, signaling that I too needed to let go of that season.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson: sometimes we cling to old vehicles—friendships, mindsets, or habits—because they feel safe. But at what cost? Many of us hold onto these old vehicles out of fear that we can’t afford the change, can’t maintain it, or don’t deserve better. We may be moving from point A to B, but the journey is often uncomfortable.

When I researched what happens when you ignore a check engine light, I learned about the risk of a sudden breakdown. This is precisely what happened to me. Often, the check engine light isn’t just a warning about a current issue—it’s a signal that the vehicle has reached its limits.

As I reflect on this journey, I'm reminded of Isaiah 43:18-19: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” This scripture encourages us to release the past and embrace the new paths and opportunities that lie ahead.

So, how do we recognize when it’s time to let go? Reflect on what’s holding you back. Ask yourself: Are you clinging to something that no longer serves you out of fear? Are you stuck in a cycle of discomfort because you’re afraid of change? 

 

Remember, you can’t move forward and backward at the same time. You will find yourself at a complete standstill—forced to move forward or stay in the very place you should have graduated from.

After purchasing a new car, I soon found that change is not only good but also refreshing. I have since gone through several cars and excelled in my career at IBM. So, don’t let fear keep you in the driver’s seat of an outdated vehicle. Embrace the change, and as Isaiah reminds us, recognize that something new is on the horizon. The ride can be much smoother than you ever imagined.

What’s your “Ford Escort”?