Handle with Faith

There is nothing in life that's impossible for your Faith to handle. I guess the question to ask yourself then is "am I operating in Faith?"  For years now, I've heard my friends extol the virtues of my faith. How they are pleased that I don't or won't allow anything to keep me from achieving the goals I set for myself. Little do they know that by the time they see the grand gestures that I make, they're usually the result of much debate with God. Sure, I can just up and quick my job one day. Or just go to my then Pastor and tell him I was leaving the church. And what about going to my Mom and stating that I was moving out. All results of having been before God - and in some instances for years due to fear- and finally being able to step out in Faith.

When I was 28 years old, I still lived at home with my Mom. After college, I had to find a job that would enable me to take care of myself. During that process, I realized that I was twenty-eight and knew nothing about everyday living. I had no idea where to go pay bills; other than putting everything in the mail (way before online banking). Which also means I knew nothing about my community and how to navigate (way before GPS systems) from one point to another without getting lost. The day I told my Mom I was moving out, she promptly reminded me that I wouldn't be able to take care of myself. I'd already run the idea past my sister who encouraged me to follow my heart.  A girlfriend and her husband were moving out of their apartment and she stated she would tell the leasing agent that I wanted to move in. So even though my Mom's words were meant to discourage me (she had issues of her own), I'd already been before God, seen things line up in my favor and was ready to walk by Faith.

Having been at my then church for 7 years, I could see the changes that were taking place that were not for the good of the people. Don't get me wrong, I know there is no perfect place. As my current Pastor states, "if it's perfect, then when you show up it won't be perfect any longer". We all have our own issues and if those issues aren't dealt with, they can cause much havoc on other peoples walk with God. It had gotten to the point where on Sunday's after church, I could barely get my keys in the door before I was crying out to God that what I had just experienced at church was NOT the way He meant for church to operate. By the time I'd gone to my then Pastor to let him know I was leaving, I'd already heard from God and knew that no matter what the Pastor said, I was leaving. He promptly informed me that we should fast and pray and meet on Wednesday night after bible study so he could respond to my statement. As I drove home, I told God that I'd already heard from Him and it was up to Him to inform the Pastor of what was spoken to me. That Wednesday night after bible study, the Pastor informed me that God did in fact confirm that He instructed me to leave.

I knew in January 2006 that I would be resigning from my job in August because I'd just gotten my acceptance letter to start school in the Fall. I'd been on my job for 12 years and it no longer fit me. I'd heard a teaching from my current Pastor that your life should be both rewarding and fulfilling. I knew for a fact that my job was not rewarding or fulfilling. My Mom had passed in May and by that November, I was researching my next career. Needless to say, I'd already been talking to God about a change in career at my ten year mark. One day sitting in my Hygienist chair, He spoke to me and let me know that I was able to work in Public Health: At my then job, I'd worked my way up to working with computer software. So by the time I turned in my resignation letter, no one knew my plans. But God had orchestrated the move so perfectly that I was able to take a complete year off without having to find employment so I could devote my time to my studies.

For anyone who has ever been in a marching band, I think most people are just marking time right where they are. Marking time means you are only marching in place without ever moving forward. I've learned to not allow others negative perception of their careers to influence me. I've encountered many people who work in Public Health who don't like working with people. And many people who work with computers who wish they could talk to and help people on a daily basis. It's time to exercise your Faith and position yourself to receive God's best in every area of your life.