I’m back, and I sincerely apologize for my long absence! I’ve had a bunch of challenges over the past several years, but many, many opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. In this blog I’ll try to get you caught up bit by bit on what’s happened to me and what God is doing in my life.
The gist of it is that a few years ago the Lord placed me in a really great job, but I allowed that job to consume all my time and distract me from my focus on Him and my calling. Later, though, after humbling myself through submission and prayer, God gave me another job – the best job I could ever ask for.
At the time it happens, we don’t always see why we’re placed somewhere, but there’s always a reason and a time for learning. In fact, for the last 20 years or so, I had seen God place me time and time again in jobs that seemingly had no unifying thread. Over time, though, I began to recognize a supernatural pattern. God was placing me in place after place so that I could finally achieve my life’s desire to spend more of my time with Him.
This last job, however, was a real test. I mean, I knew I was there for a reason, and over time I came to realize that it was partly the Lord building my work knowledge and confidence so He could possibly move me to something better. Looking back, I could also see that I had that particular job so I could take care of the household finances while my husband worked on his frequently non-paying job, which is what he often calls “God’s Project.” It involves making sure people aren’t in jail just for being poor, but that’ll have to be the subject of another blog. Still, my job was hard.
It wasn’t like I didn’t belong there. In fact, when it came down to that job, I was uniquely qualified for it due both to world credentials (I’m an accountant), and spiritual gifts. My main gift, by the way, is administration, which apparently can be really helpful in the natural world – I don’t know, there just seems to be a lot of chaos that can use a bit of administering! Trying to use your own unique spiritual gifts in the world can also be really satisfying, which is why I constantly urge people to discover their gifts and try to weave them into your daily lives.
Over time, though, I could tell I was letting the “world” part of the job eclipse whatever spiritual benefits I could derive from using my gifts to help others. I worked long (60-70 hours per week), and hard (I actually got a bunch of natural world awards and commendations for how hard I worked), but I could tell my priorities were way off track. I missed God. And physically I was becoming a bit of a wreck. I found myself seeking worldly approval, even though the Bible clearly warns against seeking praise from men over praise from God. (John 12:43)
In fact, about this time I started to clearly see the enemy hard at work in my life. I’ve always been a bit of a workaholic, type A, perfectionist – you know the type, and maybe you can relate. Well, Satan definitely knows that type of person, and he’s quite willing to load them down with just enough work to make them think they’re doing good, but with too much work to spend time seeking God. That was me. Loaded down with tons of work, scrambling over deadlines, and with absolutely no time for God. And it’s not like I didn’t do anything about it. I prayed. I tried to keep myself walking in the Spirit. I even rebuked demons, but WOW the evil one was busy! I felt like I was in the second inning of a 1,000-inning baseball game with no mercy rule! All of this caused me to start losing sight of my dream, which is to minister and train others about the supernatural (you know, Arming the Saints!).
Fortunately, I was often reminded of the line, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.” (John 14:1) And so I knew I could trust God to move me when the time was right. In fact, He usually gives me big, supernatural signs when it’s time to actually leave. In my book, I talk about seeing the supernatural and doing the natural in tandem with God. Well, the way God works with me is that He shows me it’s time to move, I do the natural world work to get the job (you know, apply and everything), and when I’m following His lead, He lines everything up so that it moves quickly and with supernatural ease. In this case, all I had to do is pray to God, submitting to His will and timing in my life concerning my work. Suddenly, within about one week, someone I knew (a sister in Christ) retired from her job, called me on the phone, and told me that I should apply for her old job. I did, and I got the new job faster than any other job in my life.
This is where I really had to push past the natural-world-praise thing. From the world’s point of view, this job looked like a step down. It was less of a title, less money, seeming less of everything. But I accepted it. And wouldn’t you know? As soon as I started working there, God showed me how wonderful the new job was, how much time I would now have to devote to Him and His word, and how little I needed the money! Looking back, I can honestly say this job was custom made for me, brought to me supernaturally, and designed to afford me the time to continue with my walk. I even feel better physically! With this new job, I have a new start. And with a new start, I can get back to investing in all of our spiritual growth.
I suppose the moral of this blog is that no matter where you are or what you’re going through, getting back to basics by pressing into God through submission and prayer can turn your life completely around. Specifically, if you’re in a job that’s consuming you and you feel your grip on your spiritual life is slipping, now’s the time to get on your knees and ask our Lord where He wants you to go and what He wants you to do. Then be prepared to humble yourself. That might mean a worldly, status/title change and pay cut, but it’ll be worth it. In the end, God will provide for you and your family, and the whole thing will provide you with a spiritual lesson that can help you in the future.
If you need a new job, or really any job, pray and believe for a new start, a do-over. Seek guidance from God, and you’ll quickly receive supernatural guidance from the best job recruiter in the Universe!
Arming The Saints Blog 