Two roads diverged in the woods... I chose the road less traveled?
When life presents you with two paths... take the third option?
Sometimes you have to test the waters...
I have found myself, in the last several weeks, faced with many important decisions about the future. Sometimes, when life is going on just like normal, you can become content and thankful for a life that is going so well. Other times we can become apathetic to our situations. This was me in October... finding myself at a church that I had been at for a while, in a job that i had been in for a while, living in fairly the same way that I had been for a while...
I was becoming apathetic.
Fortunately, the Lord is good and faithful! He didn't want me to just be comfortable... and He certainly didn't want to have me being apathetic. So He stirred the pot a bit... and I couldn't be more thankful.
After two job possibilities, one or two internship possibilities, a wonderful new relationship, and a definite direction to seminary in the fall... I have found myself jolted out of my apathy and bring really excited about the future!!
So... I have to ask myself... are these new possibilities all about my getting a new job? Or were they about waking my up from my laziness?
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Though taken out of context, the truth of this verse remains.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
This too is a promise of God... and both of these have rung very true in my mind lately. We cling to these promises in times of uncertainty... knowing that God is God and He has everything under control!! What a wonderful truth and comfort in times of uncertainty!
So what about the future for me? for anyone?
1 Peter 1:13-16
13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Our call is to be faithful to God... obedient to Him... and to be so in a way that is "fully alert." I don't know Greek, nor to I know the Greek word used here, but I think that it signifies intentionality. We aren't supposed to lazily, sleepily, apathetically go through life just being good... we are called to be OBEDIENT and FAITHFUL... we are called to be HOLY because we serve a HOLY GOD. This is not something that can be achieved by apathy.
God brings answers in uncertainty, healing in pain, and light in darkness...
Until the answers come, I wait on the Lord for direction...
...down the road less traveled (or not)
...in the third option (or the first or second)
...in walking on the water!
Mr. Vander Wall.
ReplyDeleteI find myself on some level envying your opportunities in a time when many do not have these same options. I can honestly say that you seem incredibly blessed, and it cannot be without great interest that God is writing these next chapters of your life. I like to think that when God looks at us in these moments he can do nothing but smile seeing the plans for his children coming to fruition.
I often wonder if the moments in the Old Testament where the birth, ministry, and death/resurrection of Jesus bring this same smile. Knowing how the whole thing ends up was God smiling despite the pain of separation with his Son?
I miss you Jon! Keep writing, keep struggling, keep moving. Your heart is clearly searching for the God that made you, and that is encouraging!
Much love,
-Matt