17. Does God want me to stay or go?

Posted by Conrad on 03.20.12 in Devotionals.

Sometimes we get stuck in a situation where we don’t know if God is pushing us out or just wants to grow our patience.

For example, let’s say you have this totally annoying boss.  Should you interpret that as God wanting you to quit that job, or is God simply growing your patience?

What if you get into a fight with your girlfriend?  Is that God showing you you aren’t compatible or is it just because girls don’t understand that a salad does not constitute a meal?

Wisdom will have to come into play.

With that wisdom you’ll have to look at the situation from a higher vantage point.  You’ll have to see it in context.  You’ll have to see how it fits into the larger whole.

Now there are times where it will be black and white.  Let’s say that instead of your boss or girlfriend, it’s your wife that’s really mean, annoying and listens to the insufferable James Taylor.  Some people will interpret that as God telling them to move on – but obviously that’s against Scripture and therefore not God’s will.

But what if it’s not totally black and white and you’re talking about a job that’s not quite working out, or a boy/girlfriend, or your church, or ministry or band?

You have to ask yourself, certain things.

What has God called me to do?  He’s given you a bunch of different callings to juggle at the same time.

Let’s say you have these callings – Parent, spouse, Sunday School teacher, and your job.

Does one calling start to interfere with the other callings?  If you totally know that you’re supposed to be a Sunday School teacher, but your job requires you to be gone for three months straight – then there is a great chance that the time has run its course for one of those callings.

That’s what I mean by looking at the larger picture.

This assumes that you know what your callings are.

Does being with your current boy/girlfriend help or hurt your other callings?  Does your current position at the church hurt or help your other callings?  Does being at your current job help or hurt your other callings?

You might need a job to support your family but is that particular job destroying your relationship with them?

That is also what I mean when I say that it takes wisdom.

So what do we do?

You not only have to figure out what your callings are but how they interact with each other – and on top of that if the problems you’re facing with one of those callings are things you’re supposed to overcome or things that are pointing out that that calling is coming to an end.

Wisdom starts with submission to God.  Submission to God requires prayer and a devotion to His Word.  It also seeks out Godly counsel.

So when you find yourself at a crossroads – seek wisdom.  See where God has you and where He’s taking you.  Only then can you follow Him through the crossroad.

James 1[5] If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

PR 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

PR 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

PR 3:6 in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.

Take Time To Pray: Ask God for wisdom to understand your callings and how they interact with each other.

Today’s Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness.