Guidance

I've been thinking a lot about the Lord's guidance, and the way He works in our lives. Isn't it super cool that we can go to the Lord for counsel and direction? He's really shown Himself strong to me lately, and I want to praise Him for that, hoping it will be an encouragement to you all as well.

This summer has been a very eventful one for me. I graduated high school (YAY) and have moved on to a new, different stage in life: work. Super fun, isn't it? I'm actually really enjoying what I do, but I'll get into that a little later. I'll preface this story by saying this: I've never been accused of being a workaholic. ;P A lot of it has to do with my personality. I enjoy having fun, being with people, and make people laugh. There's nothing wrong with that -- unless it makes me lazy. And, I'll admit, I've had my fair share of moments (and still do sometimes...). But, God has shown me several things in this year, helped me to mature a little more, and given me opportunities to prove myself.

Originally, I had intended to get a job while I was still in high school. But there were several things that hindered me. I really didn't want to work at a fast food restaurant because coming home every night smelling like a French fry didn't sound appetizing (ha), and to get many hours, I would have to work late, which wouldn't help with my homework schedule. Most other jobs I found required that I be available at any time of day, or hours that conflicted with my public school schedule. I was becoming discouraged with job searching, and as my graduation came and went, nothing changed. I didn't have a job.

The Lord had shown me a verse in devotions several months ago that had given me faith about looking for a job. The verse is in Isaiah 49:2-3. It says:

"...in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; [3] and said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified."

This may not seem like a verse that is an encouragement for a job, but the Lord revealed it to me in a special, personal way. The shadow isn't normally seen as a positive, cheerful thing. It can be mysterious and sometimes scary, as opposed to the bright, sparkling sun. He let me see that my personality was sunny -- fun-loving, happy-go-lucky, and cheery. But if you're in the sun too long, you'll get burned. God has to bring us into the shadows. They might seem a little scary or unpleasant at first. They're not as exciting as having fun in the sun, but it's a necessary place for protection. God showed me that I had to get out of the sun. Out of the excitement and into a place where He desired I would be. For me, that was a job.

The rest of the verse made the impact so much more real. First of all, God's going to be with me. He's not sending me off alone to the influences of the world. He's going to be with me, protecting me while I'm there. It's going to make me polished, more mature, and useful for the Lord. A shaft or arrow is acutely refined. It's straight, smooth, and without knots. God can use circumstances in our lives to help us "grow up" and become a perfected vessel for His use. He'll put us in His quiver, ready for use when He so chooses. The last part of the third verse clinched it. "Thou art my servant." Ultimately, the Lord is in control of my life. If I want to serve Him, I have to give Him the keys AND let Him drive. He'll be glorified when we obey His leadings. So, stay with me. I pursued getting a job.

Yet, it seemed as though nothing was working out. I had felt encouraged and inspired... I believed God had given me a sign with that verse. A sign of confirmation that I need to look for a job, and a sign of His blessing on my efforts to do so. I asked Him why things weren't falling into place. I didn't feel anything change. It all felt like God was just letting life happen, and not intervening on my behalf. So I soldiered on, putting in applications, looking for scenarios that might work.

Then, I went to Guthrie for the May meeting, and on almost the last day, I got a call from Twin Oaks Custom Cabinets, the company where my dad works.. They wanted an interview. Needless to say, I was excited. I set up an interview, and a few days after going home, I interviewed. Here's the caveat, though (there's always something, isn't there?) My family had planned a vacation right after the West Virginia meeting that was about to start. I would be away from home for about 3 weeks. I let them know of that situation during the interview, knowing it could hurt my chances of being hired.

Listen close, ya'll. This is the Lord. During the interview, the lady interviewing me asked when I was getting back from vacation, and I told her July 2nd. The interview continued a little longer, and then, as we were wrapping it up, she said "Well, we'll plan to see you on July 2nd, 8:00 am."

*jaw drop*

I didn't know what to think. In my first interview, I was hired on the spot. The Lord worked it out for me. He gave me a job when I wasn't seeing anything work out. He allowed the timing to work out where I could still go to the West Virginia meeting and go on vacation with my family -- two things that were very important to me. It still amazes me how he worked it out for me. I have enjoyed my job a lot, and even though I had to give up a lot of time during Monark to work, the Lord was faithful to me when I was there. I can still count my blessings that I was able to attend during the evenings and weekends and receive good from the services I was in.

Isn't it amazing how the Lord guides us. He works in mysterious ways. We don't always see why or how He does things, but as Romans 8:28 says, He's working them for our good if we're diligent to follow Him. The Lord showed me a verse after Monark was over, and I was reflecting on all that God has done for me this summer. It's in John 3:8, and it says:

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."

The Spirit of the Lord works a lot like the wind. We see the effects of His workings. We see the things He does for us, and recognize His presence with us. Yet, it's unexpected and unpredictable. We often don't understand the why. We can't see beyond our human vision to understand the mind of God. It's a trial of our faith sometimes. I didn't understand why God wasn't allowing things to work out for so long, or when I wanted. But now, I can see that it was a lesson in faith, dependence, and simply trusting in God to do what is best for me. I fully believe the situation He's placed me in is the right one, and better than the ideas I had myself. It's amazing how God can work a perfect plan. He has His way in the whirlwind, and though we can't discern the way He chooses to work, we'll feel the gentle breeze, His spirit directing the path of His children.

I'm very thankful to the Lord for His guidance to me. If you've made it this far, you're a trooper. I tend to get long-winded sometimes, but I really felt inspired to share my experience, in hopes that it might encourage you all that God knows what He's doing... and He's doing it all for us. :) I've really learned a lot in this spiritual journey the Lord has taken me on. I appreciate His faithfulness to me and for giving me so much help during this summer. It's been a time of necessary growth for me, and I anticipate that a change in me is still coming. I love you all, and pray that God will keep us all nearer and nearer to Him. Pray for me.

Keep encouraged!