“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
Yesterday went down in the books as hard. Work was challenging and I didn’t feel like I made much headway. I received an answer to a promise I’ve been praying about for over a year; but no timeframe of when it would happen. And I’m in the middle of pressing in regarding an opportunity that God has invited me to try, and while it feels like a “yes,” I want to make sure I hear “yes” before saying “yes.”
Part of my struggle has to do with wanting to make sure I keep my priorities aligned correctly. I’m at a crossroads right now. I’m transitioning out of one job and to a certain degree, have the chance to make my new schedule into one that is the best fit for our family. God has been showing me lately what my gifts and talents are, so I want to make sure I’m choosing income and a position that will be working from the realm of my gifts, which is the case of the job I just left as well as the one I currently have. And I want to make sure and keep God’s priorities front and center.
The question boils down to this: Do I trust God with my schedule? With every job He is calling me to? Do I trust Him enough to help me not miss the best fit for my family and with my current schedule? I believe God will allow me to have choices, but I also believe God has given me the ability and instructions from His Word to choose wisely. That’s why I’m not jumping into anything but seeking His will and praying about it first. I’m also taking these choices before my husband and listening to his wisdom since this decision affects him as much as me.
After taking the night off, enjoying a hot bath with a warm cup of tea, some downtime with our family watching a comedy and an early bedtime, I woke up more refreshed and ready to work hard again this morning. The tasks don’t seem as insurmountable today at 9 AM as they did yesterday at 3 PM.
Two hours earlier our kids had asked me to drive them to school. God used that “yes” to show off and remind me to keep the important things in life as the major focus. He used a sunrise with a beautiful mix of purple, pink and yellow to get my attention. Then, when He knew I was focused on Him, He gave me a gift – the one He always gives when I need reassurance He’s got whatever situation I’m facing. He told me this morning, “You aren’t walking this path alone. I’m here, ahead of you, leading the way.”
That simple message reminded me that employment, while it can be fulfilling and satisfying and definitely is something I need to use excellence in to serve my employer, is just that: Employment. My real goal in life isn’t what job I have, but how I use the gifts God has given me to serve His ultimate purpose – pointing others to Him – both through the satisfaction of working in the right position and the other divine appointments God brings into my life. Why would I doubt that God would lead me into a situation where my schedule is impossible and I’m stressed beyond recognition? He might allow that opportunity and let me make the choice, but I believe that if I’m seeking His will, He will show me the right fit for our family – through peace I find from His word, submission to my husband’s wisdom and spiritual mentorship.
If I trust God enough to know that if His real “job” for me is showing His love to others; then I trust Him enough to provide me with a job within my gifts within the schedule boundaries that leave plenty of time for my real job – that of serving Him in the ways He has called me to.
© Cheri Swalwell 2017