The news is in: I'm moving to Chicago--well, to its southwestern suburbs, to be precise. After nearly three seemingly futile months of seeking employment up here, I have been offered a job teaching high school chemistry and physical science in Plainfield, Illinois, only twenty minutes from Olivia. She and I are so excited!
Though I'm reluctant to write anything about this right now because I hate to write hastily composed babble, I think one thing is in order: a word of thanks. It's easy for me to want to write about more "profound" things such as determining God's will, but really one thing is needful: giving thanks. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). There isn't really anything more "spiritual" than simply doing these things.*
It goes without saying that it is God who has opened and shut doors and whose Spirit has provided direction and persistence for Olivia and me. It is he who has continued to give us the faith needed to see fullness beyond convenience and to trust in our Rock more than our own feelings. It is he who continues to allow Olivia and I to communicate with one another (however effectively or not). And above all it is only the shed blood of his beloved Son Jesus which allows us free access to the Holy One's throne in prayer (Hebrews 10:19-22).
But Jesus has brought us to God in this matter and intercedes for us more than just at the heavenly throne; he has been doing so through the members of his body on Earth. I owe just as much gratitude to everyone who has said a prayer for us and asked that a job would be opened up for me. Thank you!
Of course, this new job means I have a lot on my plate in the next month, thereby necessitating that I "pray continually." In only four weeks' time I will need to spend a week at home in Michigan, say my goodbyes to friends in Richmond, find a place to live near Plainfield/Bolingbrook, move all my stuff, and prepare for school! My first day "on the job" is August 14, and the first day with students is August 21. But I did nearly as much last year in the same amount of time, so I know it's doable in the Lord.
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*I think it's instructive that the (Reformed) Heidelberg Catechism organizes its teaching around the three themes of guilt, grace, and gratitude. The whole of the Christian life is to be one of gratitude for our reconciliation to God and all aspects of his faithfulness and love.
5 comments:
It helps, too, Andrew, that you're so young, though even so you need prayers during this time, as well.
Good words here, and glad to hear of God's opening of doors for you. Nothing in this life is unspiritual or meant to be, in God's design in Jesus.
Try to get enough sleep through it all. You'll soon be settled down into your new area.
I speak out of experience about the sleep problem. I used to fall asleep at the wheel- several times- two accidents out of that, and a third time damaging my car some more. So I had to say that.
Thought you'd be interested in this, Andrew.
I guess it wouldn't hurt for me to add, be sure to check the comments as well, particularly the one from Jack Brooks.
This is interesting, too, on this subject.
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