A dead end.
I had researched online radio options, had established that Live 365 was my best current option, had begun preparing my music files and was mentally preparing myself to take the leap into online radio, and then I hit a dead end.
I looked on the Live 365 website and learned that since I had last visited it, U.S. licensing laws had changed, creating issues with the type of service Live 365 offered.
As a result, Live 365 had closed down.
To say I was frustrated would be an understatement. I had been so close to finally seeing the realization of one of my dreams, only to be brought to a complete stop.
What was I supposed to do now?
I tried looking into other options, but I couldn’t find anything comparable to my original path (which made sense, considering the licensing laws in general had changed).
I finally gave up for the time being and decided to just go on about my normal life. I was definitely discouraged, but life goes on.
I continued working at my regular job until I felt led by the Lord to make a career change. I looked into multiple options, both with and without radio connections.
I tried looking for radio jobs at local stations, but the closest station that was hiring at the time was too far away to make my prospective paycheck worth the drive. Eventually, the Lord led me to some non-radio job opportunities, and I put my radio dream on hold.
However, God did begin leading me to take my goal of getting a college degree off of hold. He showed me which major to pursue (business) and which university was my best choice.
What’s more, He showed me how to get my degree debt free. This was a miracle I had hoped for but that some had said was impossible; however, “with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26b, English Standard Version). I was grateful that I had waited on God’s timing.
For one of my college assignments, I had to write a report about how technology had affected/was affecting a specific industry – past, present, and future.
For my topic, I chose – you guessed it – radio! I enjoyed having the opportunity to explore the field and learn more about it.
At some point I looked up Live 365 again just to see what information I could find. To my surprise, I learned that Live 365 was back up and running.
It seemed too good to be true at first, and I had to look further into it to be sure, but I discovered that yes, the roadblocks to my owning an internet radio staion had been removed, and a brand new road stretched out before me.
Unfortunately, I had lost my original momentum, and I was very, very busy working at my “day” job. However, life circumstances eventually changed that, and it was time for a new career change.
As I sought God’s direction through my job hunt, I continued to research the Live 365 online radio option (which I now actually had time to devote to). When I was interviewed for the job that I subsequently accepted, I was asked what my interests were, and I shared my dream of running an internet radio staion.
In doing so, I felt I had drawn a line in the sand – made a commitment, so to speak – and that now I was accountable for completing the pursuit of my dream.
I had done my research.
I had shared my vision.
It was time.
The only thing left now was to determine something that I had thought I already knew, but now wasn’t entirely sure –
What music was I going to play?
Continued next week
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Signing off until next week –
Rocking for Jesus with you!
Amanda Renée
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Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash