As I think about my journey through graduate school and the crazy world of postdoc-dom (postdoc-ship?), a few things keep coming to mind. These verses from Ephesians 3 (ESV, emphases mine)Â have been such an encouragement, and are my prayer for those of you who are beginning or in the midst of your postdoc journey.
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
It is easy to get caught up in the pursuit of knowledge and achieving success despite high costs to yourself, to your family, or to others. I pray that you would be strengthened in your journey through the power of the Spirit, and that you would be deeply grounded in the love of Christ which surpasses any knowledge that you might receive or generate during your years as a postdoc. Be encouraged, and I hope that the following additional resources will be informative and helpful along the way!
Resources:
1) National Postdoctoral Association: The NPA is a 501(c)3 educational non-profit organization that seeks sustainable change and improvement for the postdoctoral experience through collaboration with all stakeholders. The NPA’s key program activities are focused in three key areas: Advocacy and Education, Resource Development, Community Building.
Develops policy recommendations for institutions, such as: Family friendly policies, maternity leave, Postdoctoral training, etc. . . .
[Read more…] about Resources for Postdocs: Follow-up to “Finding a Postdoc in the Sciences”