We all have a dream job in our minds. What would that look like for you? I have a degree in accounting and I love to travel so my dream job would combine those two items. I keep looking for it but I never what that job would look like in the real world. I enjoyed most of my jobs through the years but none fit my ideal of the dream job. I prayed to find the perfect job and then my life would be complete.
Proverbs 16:9 “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.”
A number of years ago, my husband’s job required us to move cross-country. As we prepared and packed, I started looking for my next job before we got to the new city. I prayed and prayed but nothing happened and I became disillusioned. The moving van arrived and loaded up all our possessions and we drove off to a new life. On the second day of driving, my cell phone rang and showed an unknown caller. I answered to find a call from a not-for-profit organization that had seen my resume and wanted to talk with me about an opportunity. It intrigued me as I thought, “This might be it, the perfect job.” I set up the interview and prayed for God to provide me with this perfect opportunity. Always be careful what you pray to get.
I learned the position was in their international accounting department. My heart jumped with joy at the possibilities. I would get to travel to some of the international locations each year to perform audits. I desperately wanted this job. It had everything I ever wanted in a job. This had all the markings of my perfect job. God answered my prayers and I began my new-found career.
I worked for the organization for almost two years. Then one fateful day, I heard the announcement about some pending layoffs and the list contained my name. I felt devastated by this news. This was my very first layoff in a career that spanned almost 20 years. I questioned why God allowed me to lose my perfect job. It took me almost 6 months to find another job. So many unanswered questions swirled in my mind during that time. I was angry. Why would a God allow this to happen to me? I turned to my bible in search of help in understanding why and in this case, God directed me to Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” It reassured me but I still felt like I knew my future better than God did.
Fast-forward a number of years to my next job. I became a program manager for a government contractor. Nothing I ever planned to do as a career. The best part of this job was my bosses. Both wonderful men, who taught me so much about business and about life in general. One of them is also a wonderful Christian example in my life. He opens meetings with prayer and talks openly about his religion. He has been such a blessing to me. I get to travel about once a year to the corporate headquarters but that is okay because God provided me with the travel for my mission work. Oh, and the company that I thought held my dream job, well they finally had to close the doors for lack of funds. I guess God knew what He was doing after all.
Proverbs 16:3-4 “3 Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established. 4 The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.
When God seems to be closing one door, He is probably preparing something better for you. Trust Him and wait patiently for Him. Just because something or someone seems like the perfect option for you, God may have something greater planned for you. Cover all your decisions in prayer and trust in God to lead you to the best decisions in your life. My life verse is Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Sometimes, God has to remind of these words but I find them to always ring true; God will work it all out for my good. I just have to trust and obey.
Yvonne
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
