April 30, 2023

It’s natural to ask yourself —  “Why did I go through all of this to get the job only to have it taken away from me in less than a year?”  “Was it God’s will after all?” “If not, why not?”  Now it’s easy for me to say nice things and wax philosophical when I’m retired and reasonably secure…for now. Though at my age, anything can happen, I’m not facing Calamity knocking at my door because I don’t have a source of income.  (Unless Republicans have their way.) 

God opened the door and you responded.  Though demanding, the  job was challenging, fulfilling and an answer to your prayers.  For it to just vanish must be devastating.  But you are smart, resourceful, talented in addition to being a really awesome person.  I’m anxious to see what comes next in your career.

I always think of poor old Ezekiel whom God made to lie on his left side for 390 days as a metaphor for how long Israel would be under siege and then immediately lie on his right side for 40 days as a metaphor of how long Jerusalem would be under siege.  For what?  It didn’t change anything!  

Hosea was told by God to marry a whore as a metaphor for God’ faithfulness contrasted with Israel’s unfaithfulness.  The good news was that she really knew her way around in bed, but the bad news was that she was a lousy wife and made an unhappy marriage.  For what?  

Well, God’s plans are inscrutable.  The Old Testament in particular teaches us over and over that obedience to God, despite what the books of Psalms and Proverbs promise, often leads to hardship, suffering and sometimes death to accomplish God’s purposes.  Though we cannot see it at the time and sometimes never, what we go through may be preparing us for something or someone in the future.  God’s way is right even when it is counterintuitive to us.  In fact, that often seems to be the case.

So I commend you to James 1:2-4  “James 1:2 (MSG) Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”     

A couple weeks ago a woman spoke at church.  She made 3 points:  God Provides.  God Sustains.  God Shapes.  You had a great experience there.  That sets you up for something even better.  You make contacts there, it looks great on your resume or CV as they seem to favor these days.  Gotta love them Latins!  You may get called back, or go on to something else that God has planned.  Whatever happens, you are in God’s will.  God Provides.  God Sustains.  God Shapes.  

Jim