Let me just come right out and say it. “I struggle with patience.” When I want something done, I want it NOW. I don’t want to wait for my finances to be in order. I don’t want to wait for others to agree with my idea. I really don’t want to wait for it to go through proper channels. I want my hopes and dreams to come true today, all at once. Oh my gosh, I sound like a teenager. Somebody stop me.
Timing is everything. Success with the stock market is all about timing, when to get in and when to get out. Sports require that we make the shot at the right time. Even finding a job requires timing. I re-entered the job market after Papa, who had been living with us, passed in 2009. The last job I had, I never applied for, it was offered to me. I had not seriously job hunted since 1996. A lot had changed. Everything was now done online. I would spend hours at a time sorting through open positions and filling out lengthy applications only send it into the internet abyss. Follow up calls were rarely possible. Even rejection letters had become a thing of the past. I was left to wait, and wait, and wait.
As the process lingered on I was left feeling useless, unnecessary, unwanted, unskilled, and virtually unemployable. This was my opportunity to be what I always wanted to be and pursue my professional career. Instead, I felt lost. I had no calling. I didn’t sense God nudging me in any specific direction. My prayers around this were rather pathetic. A year after the search had begun, my prayers were simply, “God I need a job, now. I will take whatever job you put in front of me. It doesn’t have to be the perfect job, just something to bring in an income.” The wait continued. Dozens of jobs applied for with no calls or interviews.
It was about that time that a friend suggested that I check out the Bethel University website. She had seen a posting that she thought would fit me. I never found the posting, but a seed had been planted. Bethel became a regular part of the my job search. My prayers started shifting as well. I started praying this verse from Jeremiah.
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. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV.
I also started praying for a job at Bethel. I had this growing deep inner sense that I needed to work there. I decided to appreciate the good pieces of the situation and know that it was temporary. I focused in on praying for the job God had for me. His plan for me. I did my best to get out-of-the-way. Every time I applied for a job, I prayed God’s will not mine. Two more years went by.
Yep, I had been job hunting for over three years when there was an opening at Bethel that seemed like a good fit. I spent six hours on the application. In less than 24 hours, I was called for an interview. Two weeks later, I had the job. I can honestly say, the way God worked this out, is much better than if I had been in control. If my timing were at work, I would have had a job 6 months into my search. If my timing were at work, I wouldn’t feel challenged and appreciated. His timing, not my timing, is always far better for me, my family and His kingdom. I just needed to trust His promise.
God has a plan for your future too. The promise in Jeremiah is for all of us. We just need to trust that His timing is everything. How have you seen God’s timing in your life? Share and we can learn from each other.