Another Friday and another...well I'm not sure yet

Earlier this week a job opportunity came to Elizabeth (my oldest), a temporary position with possible permanence but also out of town. The call came about noon and an answer had to be given by 3pm. Not much time to say the least. Been there before?  So, not knowing what to do because it was not easy or a slam dunk (congratulations to the ECHS boys hoops team Go Rebels) we gathered a prayed asking God for direction by 3pm. I am hesitant to put a time constraint on God but the situation required a limit. Se we sat silently for a few moments (that is a preacher way of saying an unknown amount of time) expecting/anticipating an impression. We concluded and none of us had a word or definite impression regarding what to do. The afternoon went on and still no definitive direction/impression/writing on the wall/heavenly choir etc. You know how it is when you are at a loss for what to do. Then came 3pm and a decision had to be made regarding the opportunity.

So, she took it and started making plans for temporary housing etc. It bothered me that God had not spoken in the time frame we set. But, all kinds of things on my end can keep me from hearing God’s voice.

Decisions of direction can be devastating. Sometimes because we so don’t want to mess it up, do the wrong thing. Sometimes because we are so afraid off…you name it we can be afraid of it. Sometimes we are afraid we might miss the better thing coming. It’s not rational this fear but it is real! So if we make the wrong choice we fear how will God respond? Will he stop loving us? Will he love us less? Will he leave us? 

Questions that are real however irrational because God has already demonstrated he will NEVER stop loving us. He will NEVER love us less or more and he will NEVER leave us. In fact, He WILL protect us, He WILL provides for us and he WILL prepare us. He WILL hear us and answer or requests. Jesus speaks of this FACT in John 16:23-27

²³ In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

²⁵ “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. ²⁶ In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. ²⁷ No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

All of this being true how come we got no answer by 3pm? Because he had already answered. I just did not know that until Tuesday Morning. You see it was Tuesday morning that I read a daily devotion for Monday. I do that sometimes, I read days ahead or days previous and I don’t read the devotion book every day. However, Tuesday morning I opened it and read Monday’s thought. The book is a compilation of writing by Max Lucado. The thought began like this “to gain your life you must lose it.” Words of Jesus for sure, Max Lucado went on the say we often times go to great lengths to live a long life when what we need to do is live really. In the kingdom of God life is not safe it is dangerous (from C.S. Lewis) it’s adventurous.

The Holy Spirit is wild and in many ways unpredictable. Take the chance, accept the risk, go for it, live while you have the opportunity. When I read that I knew that was God’s direction for our decision. That was the word for Monday, Feb 13 the day we prayed. I just did not read it when I normally would at 6am. God had answered our prayer before we had uttered it or knew we needed to utter it. Isn’t that just like him? In fact, the book was compiled in 2000 over 12 years ago from THE BOOK (66 in all) compiled over 6000 years.

So, I was not sure about the job, God’s timely reply or much else but Tuesday morning I was sure. She left that afternoon to stay the night with a friend and go to work Wednesday morning. It was scary for her and I might add for me and Barbara. Stepping out behind Jesus is like that He is dangerous you know but he is good of that I am more sure than ever.

         

In HIS Service and Yours,

The Rev