Crunch time. God, I already told You this in prayer, but I'm gonna put it here, too, in case You're reading blogs today. 40 minutes. If I don't have a super-huge-major completely-obvious no-doubt-about-it sign that You need me here at this job at this church, then I'm moving up the timetable. I cannot believe that it's in Your plan for me to be here and miserable. I need some beyond-a-shadow-of-a-doubt-proof that you need me here, or it's time for me to move on. 36 minutes...
8 comments:
Your post explains the voicemail I found when I got home today, which I originally assumed to be a wrong number:
Dude, it's God. It doesn't work that way. I don't work that way. In fact, let me remind you of an oft' cited slogan about me... the Lord works in mysterious ways. How mysterious would I be if I just gave you a sign? You're supposed to pray, hope and have faith. That's how we connect these days. I don't light bushes on fire or part the Red Sea anymore... too flashy. Keep the faith, and remember I never give anybody more than they can handle... though with some I give the EXACT LIMIT of what they can handle. That's all for now. Peace out, home dog.
You know what? I'm not buying it. I don't think God woke up one day and thought "I'm tired of performing signs and doing miracles. I think I'll send my assistant down there to really figure out who My people are. Then, He can screen them for me when they call."
And if God called you to respond to my prayer, then it would indeed be a wrong number.
I don't believe that God just sits back and watches. He could have compelled one person to call or e-mail me to say, oh, I don't know. Here's some ideas... any one would have sufficed.
1. James we really appreciate your hard work.
2. You are important to the future direction of this institution.
3. Your two bosses both told me they're resigning.
4. I know the budget is tough, but we've already accounted for your salary because we need you.
5. Great job, James!
6. Mr. Lamb, you've won some money from publisher's clearning house.
etc.
etc.
I don't think I was asking for too much. That "not more than they can handle" thing is garbage people tell other people who are going through difficult times or who are struggling because they know of nothing better to say. In theory, I appreciate it. It explains why little is thrown my way, because I'm weak and God knows I couldn't handle it. Fine.
But I don't think I was asking for much. And if God works in mysterious ways, He's not paying attention to his audience. He didn't wire me to really get the whole mystery thing. He wired me for "Don't make me think."
I didn't ask for much. His silence on the subject was answer enough.
Your phone call example is a sign. But are you otherwise suggesting that the last thing God said to us humans was "Codify the Bible with the following books. And by the way, I hate the word 'codify'."? I don't buy it. I think God still communicates with us, and He uses any number of methods as his disposal.
I think you (and a lot of other people I know) hate the word "signs" or immediately think of a burning bush when you hear the word, but I think that God can use anything as a sign, or a means of attempting to communicate with us. I cannot believe that the only way God communicates with us is through meditation or introspective prayer or quiet time or whatever. I'm not good at that kind of stuff.
I know I've clearly heard God speak to me on two occasions, both of them here on campus. I was a volunteering here at the time and worried about what would happen when my contract ended. I was in the Prayer Garden on the National Day of Prayer quietly praying and heard him tell me not to worry. The second was one time in a worship service and my throat really hurt, but I really wanted to sing. I prayed a quiet prayer apologizing saying I wanted to sing and worship and that I was excited to be there and I clearly heard back "I know."
But I don't think this is the only way God communicates with us.
You'll understand why I had to delete that post. But, yeah, I understand your we are the body argument. But it doesn't disprove my original request. I pretty much was expecting a person to do something, I didn't think the Taco Bell dog on my computer was going to start talking to me or that the whiteboard was going to burst into flame as a voice came forth.
But I also think that sometimes God does attempt to speak directly to us, but we're not receptive to listen. We haven't quieted ourselves, or gotten into the right mindset. Mind you that this is exactly what I said is difficult for me, meditation or quiet time, either in the Word, or in prayer.
But no matter what, no one stopped by my desk, no one called. No one e-mailed. No one -- lost, looking for the reception desk -- noticed my three computer monitors and asked what I did that I needed so many monitors, and upon learning of it, told me how great I was and that I was doing great work for the church. No article on the homepage of MSNBC.com about those who work at churches lead healthier lives. No "jmzrox" as Blogger Word Verification.
No, God did not send a talking llama, but he also did not prompt a person to in any way confirm that I should be there.
Obviously, God as ruler of all time and space chose to remain silent. Thereby affirming that I am no longer needed in my current position, serving him directly through my employ at the church.
First, yeah, it was probably good that you deleted my erlier post. I was being an ass (al-be-it a well-meaning one) and I apologize. As for God's silence reaffirming your position, I think anyone who knows you (God included) knows you haven't been happy in your job for some time. If your 40 minute test gave you the strength/courage/whatever to face that reality and seek something new and potentially better, then maybe God did send a message through His silence.
Or maybe I'm just whistling Dixie.
You'll understand why I had to delete that post. But, yeah, I understand your we are the body argument. But it doesn't disprove my original request. I pretty much was expecting a person to do something, I didn't think the Taco Bell dog on my computer was going to start talking to me or that the whiteboard was going to burst into flame as a voice came forth.
But I also think that sometimes God does attempt to speak directly to us, but we're not receptive to listen. We haven't quieted ourselves, or gotten into the right mindset. Mind you that this is exactly what I said is difficult for me, meditation or quiet time, either in the Word, or in prayer.
But no matter what, no one stopped by my desk, no one called. No one e-mailed. No one -- lost, looking for the reception desk -- noticed my three computer monitors and asked what I did that I needed so many monitors, and upon learning of it, told me how great I was and that I was doing great work for the church. No article on the homepage of MSNBC.com about those who work at churches lead healthier lives. No "jmzrox" as Blogger Word Verification.
No, God did not send a talking llama, but he also did not prompt a person to in any way confirm that I should be there.
Obviously, God as ruler of all time and space chose to remain silent. Thereby affirming that I am no longer needed in my current position, serving him directly through my employ at the church.
Your phone call example is a sign. But are you otherwise suggesting that the last thing God said to us humans was "Codify the Bible with the following books. And by the way, I hate the word 'codify'."? I don't buy it. I think God still communicates with us, and He uses any number of methods as his disposal.
I think you (and a lot of other people I know) hate the word "signs" or immediately think of a burning bush when you hear the word, but I think that God can use anything as a sign, or a means of attempting to communicate with us. I cannot believe that the only way God communicates with us is through meditation or introspective prayer or quiet time or whatever. I'm not good at that kind of stuff.
I know I've clearly heard God speak to me on two occasions, both of them here on campus. I was a volunteering here at the time and worried about what would happen when my contract ended. I was in the Prayer Garden on the National Day of Prayer quietly praying and heard him tell me not to worry. The second was one time in a worship service and my throat really hurt, but I really wanted to sing. I prayed a quiet prayer apologizing saying I wanted to sing and worship and that I was excited to be there and I clearly heard back "I know."
But I don't think this is the only way God communicates with us.
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