Where God Leads, He Provides

I've been facing difficult times recently, not because of sickness or poverty, but because I felt I was lacking in direction.

I ended up quitting my high-paying job for another one. I was quite confused at first because I was praying to hard to the Lord to "take me out of the dark" so to speak. My job and my employer were becoming more and more difficult it was so stressful just to go to work and even more difficult to get the job done. I usually felt to exhausted when I get home even if I had only worked 8 hours or so.

I started working there for only 9,000 pesos a month, and eventually rose the ranks to make more than 100,000 pesos per month. Not bad if I do say so myself, but this was not because of anything I have done but because God has provided me with this growth opportunity at every step. I never dreamed I'd become a manager, I'd never really dreamed of earning that much money anywhere.

However as I continued on, very grateful. It became so difficult to be a good person in the high-paying position I was in, day-in and day-out I felt I had to be part bitch just to get things done in the way that I thought was effective and efficient.

And so I began rethinking if this was still the place I wanted to be in. I did make a conscious effort at being nice and being as Christ-like as I could possibly muster. It would drain me everyday to make that effort. Becoming frustrated and stressed out seemed like it was part of the daily routine. I didn't want that

I prayed for a different opportunity from the Lord and He was so kind, so full of kindness that He gave me 2 of them. Two great companies and 2 great offers. Both offered relatively less in terms of monetary compensation but enough growth opportunities to make me think I was getting a better deal if I moved.

But then I was left at the fork on the road last week because here they were 2 offers that were pretty good. And then I thought, Lord which one do you want me to take? I prayed a lot. Asked advice from many friends and family members. I even went to church when it was deserted thinking I could probably hear God more clearer in church than I would at home or at work.

I asked over and over again, and this was what the Lord answered me

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. -- Romans 8:28

I felt at that point that God was leading me so it was fine. In the end with God's leading, I chose the job offer with an even lesser monetary compensation, under the premise that God will provide. Although the better-paying offer had me traveling, it also meant I would work on Saturdays which would eat up my family time.

This job would give me an opportunity to be with my daughter more while still being able to go to church on a routine basis. And in this way of putting my God and my family first, I hope that God will guide me in each and every step. And that His purpose will be fulfilled in me.

The 3 Trees and God's purpose

I didn't get to see the complete video in Sunday School today, but I did get the low-down on this nice children's show they were able to watch about 3 trees.

Here's what I remember:

Once there were 3 trees in the forest, each of whom had their own ambition. The first tree wanted to become part of a mansion of some sort - a castle, something big and magnificent. As he was cut down though, he was disappointed to find out he was only to become part of a manger.

This manger though was where Jesus was born.

The second tree wanted to part of a great big ship that would sail the world. However, he was cut down to become part of a fishing boat.

This fishing boat carried Jesus. On this fishing boat, the Lord told the storm to be still.

The third tree didn't want to be cut down at all. The 3rd tree wanted to become the tallest tree in the forest, the tallest tree in the world. But to his dismay, he was cut down and made into a cross.

This cross was the very same one where Jesus was crucified.

The story is very simple but also very true. It took most of the kindergarten kids a long time to get it though, but the story is a reflection of what God will do with us. We are just like those trees. We will be pruned by the Lord, we will be guided by the Lord and eventually we will be used by the Lord.

We have a lot of plans but in the end, it is the Lord's will that will prevail.

Image care of SeedlingsRUs.com