February 13, 2009

This is a chapter in the bible I have been studying a lot lately. Probably for the past week or so. It has so many awesome promises in there and its so encouraging. Especially right now in my life. Let me tell you why. Last month, I was notified at my place of employment that I was going to get laid off at the end of the month (the end of January) and so I did. Immediately I started having flashbacks of my life 2 years ago. That’s a whole other story for another time, but needless to say, I am jobless, and I am looking for employment, but bigger than all of that I am trusting so much in God.

So, this time around, I’m doing things different. I have been looking around like crazy for a job. Embarrassingly enough, Im trying to get on unemployment and just really working hard to find a job. Due to our current economy and stuff, finding a graphic design job aint so easy. So, I’ve also kept my options open and have been looking at different ministry jobs, like worship leading, and stuff like that that will pay. So yeah, productive and responsible is what I am trying to stay.

This is all great, but one thing I have been trying to cling to, more so than working hard to get myself back off of the ground, is that I am doing my best to stay in the word and in prayer as much as possible. I know that there is no way I can get this done on my own. Here’s where we get to the good stuff. In the past week I have been reading a lot in Isaiah. So many promises and so many triumphant stories of God pulling through for his people. In chapter 40 at the end it says this:

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or whine, Isreal, saying, “God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me?” Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he know everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.
Isaiah 40:27-31

To me this verse speaks SO much into my situation and all the different feelings I have been going through. Clearly, this whole work and job situation is a storm in my life. The easiest thing to do and first initial reaction to have is say “why is this happening to me” blah blah blah woe is me, then try and do something about the situation my self. What really needs to happen though, like it says in the verse, is wait on the Lord and thats what I have been clinging to. So what I really want you guys to see is how powerful and significant the last part is that says “ But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles”. This is so amazing. let me draw this out for you.

I don’t know if you guys know how eagles work but check this out. Eagles post their nests high upon on the mountain tops and stuff. But when they see a storm coming, they don’t fly away from it, they don’t fly into it, but they wait. They wait diligently and rough out the storm until the time is right. That time is the time they spread their wings and allow the wind to pick it up. The wind picks it up high above the storm and lets them rise up against the storm reaching new heights.

So to me this is saying the same thing in our lives. When storms come in our lives, and they always come, we can’t take it head on alone, we can’t run because it will always catch up with us. We need to wait and be patient for the right time for God to come and lift us up high above the storm. Allowing us to reach new heights in our faith and in our lives. Waiting long enough for God to strengthen us at our weakest points. Being humble enough to realize that we cannot take this storm on on our own. Allowing God to move and recognizing that we need him.

So as I am here, and as this storm continues to move, I will not move. I will not hesitate. I will not fight it, I will not run, I will wait on the Lord to lift me high above this and give me the strength to come up from underneath this. My God is the God who provides. Keep me in your prayers as I will do the same for you guys.