How do we continue moving on when life changes unexpectedly? Obviously, we have to “keep swimming – or start sinking.” Do we just trudge forward blindly and try to make things work on our own? Or do we take a moment, pray about the situation, and seek God’s direction for our lives? Sometimes God uses these life changing moments to get our attention, in order that we get our priorities of life back on track…especially since life is a gift that should not be squandered.
What we initially see as a roadblock, such as losing a job, may easily end up being a blessing in disguise. When God closes one door, we have to carefully pray about the situation as we wait for him to open another door or doors. Metaphorically speaking, we can rattle the handles of different doors to see which doors are stuck shut and which doors open, even if we only catch a glimpse of what is behind the door. Occasionally, God will give us a few open doors and make us decide our future destiny, even though everything may not be as it appears on the surface. For example, one door may provide immediate monetary gain at the expense of your family and another door may provide you the opportunity to have a stable family life at the possible expense of financial security.
Jesus Christ made it clear that sometimes we have to make life changing decisions in our lives, with the following words.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 NIV)
Interesting enough, some people may perceive losing a job as a roadblock and the only way out of the situation is to get a better job. However, other people may see a job loss only as a temporary setback since it allows them the opportunity to bond closer with their family members and try new things in life, such as possibly starting a business or serving fulltime in the ministry. There is nothing wrong with trying to get a better job, as long as it does not negatively impact your personal relationship with God.
The following words of Jesus Christ help us better understand what open doors we should choose for our personal lives, especially when it comes to choosing new career paths.
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 7:24 NIV)
Overall, we need to make sure God is the center of our lives for all decisions and be content wherever he places us at different stages of our lives. The author of Hebrews tells us – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV) James reminds us how Job, an Old Testament patriarch, persevered while enduring numerous hardships and how God later blessed him for his obedience. (James 5:11; Job 1; 2:1-10; 42:10, 12)
As for a closing thought, the Apostle Paul explains how everything works together for God’s purpose with the words – “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.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)
No comments:
Post a Comment