A month ago God answered our prayers and dropped a job in Justin's lap. A job that was everything we were looking for, and more. We were excited and so thankful to the Lord for His provision. We prayed a lot about the position and proceeded.
We met with our team leaders and each team member to discuss the job, its pros and cons, and how it effected our status on the team. Through the process, the Lord really refined our calling and assured us that this country is exactly where He wants us. However, a different work/identity situation would be better for Justin. Since our team also runs a business, we felt called to leave our team.
To be honest, it was gut-wrenching, but kind of exciting because this new job was so attractive. We worked together as a team to ensure a departure that was unified and God-honoring.
However, just this week, Justin learned that he did not get the job. The CEO- a lovely believer- was totally shocked and disappointed, as were we, to learn that the board of directors had decided to expand the search. The suspicion is that the board knows of the CEO's desire to use this particular position to help "workers" like ourselves and is trying to thwart that effort. So the board wants to open the search to local candidates and at a minimum it will take 6 months. So the CEO advised Justin to look elsewhere.
We are disappointed. SO disappointed. It felt like this is what God had for us, and we were excited. Now, we are without a job, without an identity (i.e. reason to be in the country), and without a team. But we are choosing to trust God.
He doesn't promise to protect us from disappointments and hardships, but He does promise to walk with us and even carry us through them. We MUST choose to rely on Him now. He was good when an awesome job was at our fingertips, and He is good now that its gone!
God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, he orchestrates the rising and setting of the sun, He numbers the hairs on our heads. Surely He has this covered!
I know that God is far more interested in processes than positions. It is obvious to us that through this process God is going to work. He is taking us on a journey. The funny thing about decisions is that God doesn't force them He uses circumstances and process to mold and shape us. We feel like He is calling out to something new and different and using this process to refine us and grow us.
I will be honest. It hurts! But again, I am choosing to trust Him. He has never left me and has always, ALWAYS, provided faithfully for me. Usually with things better than I had even imagined.
So, if the God of the universe wants to take us on a journey, then we will go. Once again, we will step off the cliff with our eyes fixed on Him.
We know that He can drop the right job in our laps at any second, and there's a reason that this job was not it. He knows us, He created us, and His best is what we will wait for. Even when it is so very hard!
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
Matthew 6:34
