“God doesn’t get upset with us asking for confirmation. He’s proud of us for making sure we’ve heard Him correctly.”
Bob Yandian
I began January 2014 fasting for 21 days. It is my way of dedicating the new year to God, showing Him He has control over every aspect of my life. One morning during the fast, God impressed upon my heart a new assignment He wanted me to take. My first internal response was…fear. Imagine that! Fear that I wouldn’t have the time to add one more thing to my busy life (despite the fact God used the fall of 2013 to rid my life of extra things to make room for His new assignment). Fear that my children would be neglected due to me working extra hours. But, mostly, fear of the unknown. However, even though at the time fear tended to be my default button, I started learning I didn’t have to listen. Instead of ignoring His voice, I decided to ask God for confirmation that this new assignment was truly from Him. Then I waited.
For two weeks I prayed…waited…listened…and continued walking in the path I was already on. During those two weeks, He confirmed through three separate events that yes, this was the job He wanted me to take. However, here’s the funny part. The job He wanted me to apply for didn’t exist. There was no job posting.
So…with fear of the response, I called up my future boss and the conversation went something like this:
“You’re a Christ follower, right?” (I already knew his answer. I just needed a way to begin.)
“Yes.”
“Well, as a Christ follower, when God asks us to do something, we have to obey. I think He’s asking me to ask you something. And before I ask, any answer you give me is the right answer.”
(Patient silence on the other end.)
“I think God wants me to work for you. Could you use my help?”
“What a blessing.”
It was then that I knew that I knew that I knew I had heard God right. Now…it took a little more conversation before we figured out what gifts and talents I had that would be the most help, but because God was the One who started this process, the answer was already there.
I have no doubt that I pleased God by walking in faith and starting a conversation with an amazing boss. And I also believe God wasn’t upset with me for asking Him for confirmation before taking that first step. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to obey – I just wanted to make sure stepping out was obeying Him and not a selfish agenda of my own.
Come back next time for the conclusion to this life changing adventure.
© Cheri Swalwell 2014