Sunk Costs

The term “sunk costs” was first introduced to me by my sister in 2001 when an eight-year relationship was unraveling. I kept referencing the past and how much I had invested into it; my sister wisely reminded me that the time was a “sunk cost.” It was her way of advising me to move forward and not get stuck in the past.
The term is typically used in connection with business decisions regarding a cost that has already been spent and cannot be recovered. The cost (time, money, resources, etc) is a loss and cutting further losses is often the wisest, though a painful, recourse.

That conversation in 2001 took place during the first year of my graduate degree in Water Resources Engineering. I had obtained a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1997, and I practiced engineering for four years after that. During those four years, I realized there was a very small range of work I enjoyed, and I decided to pursue a Master’s degree in order to specialize in the area I liked.

When I graduated in 2003, I learned something about myself. Ten years after I began my engineering journey, I learned I didn't like engineering in practice. I was good at it. I had skills in the work, but it was “work.” Turns our my personality type (ENFP for my Myers-Briggs friends) is NOT wired for engineering. So even though I had invested a decade in a field that paid well for my skills, I didn’t enjoy one-third of my week days. How could I? God had not created me for it.

Here is where the term “sunk cost” kept creeping up. Do I continue in the field because of the investment? Or do I take a risk and try something new? It would be a gross understatement to say I labored over the decision. How would I earn money? Where would I go? What am I qualified to do? Who will catch me if and when I fall.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 NLT

Sometimes this verse means restoration from that which was lost. But sometimes, it means acknowledging a “sunk cost” and following His lead on a “new thing” (Isaiah 42:9).

I think we often get caught in a “restoration” trap. We think the lost “person, place or thing” is good, and therefore, it will or should be restored. But what if it was good, but just a step in your personal growth? What if it served its intended purpose and now its time to move on? What if remaining means stifling the plan and purpose God has for your life?

For me, my engineering degrees didn’t just teach me how to analyze and design water systems. It taught me how to think critically and analytically. It taught me how to focus my naturally creative mind to accomplish a purpose, task or goal. It taught me “how” to think for myself, not “what” to think. To this day, I can learn anything I desire because of the skills I acquired in my engineering days. For that, I am grateful.

So if you are at a crossroads and are feeling unsure, here is my advice: move forward and choose the path of peace. Allow God’s Holy Spirit to guide and direct you through His perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3-4). Don’t fear the change if He is leading you to something new (1 John 4:18). And remember, He uses whatever you bring to the table for His glory and honor (2 Corinthians 5:17).

And in case you were wondering, I still use elements of my engineering degrees every day. And I am very thankful to serve a God, Who not only gave me the wisdom to know it was time to move on, but Who also redeems the experience in new ways every day.