GloriousByFaith

In my blog post, “When Things Look Like They’re Falling Apart,” I ended saying as that I decided to take matters into my own hands. I had faith in myself and in the resources I believed would help me get the job I wanted. I thought this was what was necessary.

But I want to tell you what I have found is—and will always be—a necessity:

In this life, you can never be completely sure about everything. Life is a mystery. What worked five years ago may not work seven years from now.

spending time with Jesus, the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

[MARY AND MARTHA]

Luke 10:38-42 CSB
While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. [39] She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what He said. [40] But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.” [41] The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, [42] but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I chose to be Martha not Mary…

When I lost my job, my immediate thought was to get another one as soon as possible. I have lived much of my life making poor financial decisions, and this time I was determined not to continue that way. That is why the frustration came when everything felt like it came crumbling down. I only wanted to move forward, but it felt like I had taken 10 steps backwards.

It dawned on me that the months were just passing by, yet I was still without a job. I thank God for reminding me of every time He had come through for me before this. He reassured time and time again that He was more than able to provide for me. If only I had chosen to spend that time peacefully in His presence instead of in anxiety.

As much as I desire to be rich and stable, my stability can never be found in riches.

1 Timothy 6:17 MSG
Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.

In this time, I learned the necessity of discipline, surrender, and trusting in God—with the necessary act of staying close to Him (John 15:5). God revealed how much these things will matter when it is time for Him to bless me. I do not regret the journey.

And I know that I am not under any curse.

1 Peter 4:12 MSG
Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

God’s provision vs God’s presence

Even when God provided for me, it did not compare to the satisfaction I have when I am with Him. There was a period in which I gave myself to striving. I was determined to rise above any “curse” that seemed to stand against my financial stability. No matter how much talk of curses that instills fear within us, the truth says that Jesus became a curse for us. And the truth also says that perfect love casts out fear.

My striving was rooted in fear, but my decision to rest, to rest in Him came from love. The peace I felt while applying for jobs was the kind of peace the world gives. On the other hand, the peace I experienced while sitting at the feet of Jesus was something the world could never give.

Interestingly, small things began to happen after I spent time with Him—whether it was a job opportunity or unexpected provision. The more time I spent with God, the more things began to fall into place. But please understand, this is not to say that you should spend time with God in order to be blessed. He is the blessing and the reward.

The constant seeking of Him, the continual drawing near—it is not in vain. Calling upon someone you cannot see is difficult, but your life depends on it. Choosing to follow the One you cannot see rather than what is tangible goes against natural human tendencies.

I want to encourage you: as the believer you profess to be, this is the right step.

2 Corinthians 4:18 AMP
So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.

Draw near to Him. He is your glory.🌱