The unknown..the unseen...the God of the Universe

Good morning all-

Several weeks ago I was laid off from a job I absolutely loved.  My journey to that opportunity started with me leaving my current employer to embrace whatever God had for me.  I had never left a job without a job.  I also have never been laid off.  In my career, I have been through at least a dozen layoffs and in each one I kept my job, so you can imagine how surprised I was when I had just completed back to back shows for this company, only to find myself jobless.

I am human so the questions started coming one after one.  What was God up to?  How did this happen? Why didn't I see it coming?  Why? Why? Why?  If you have ever been in this position you know exactly what I'm talking about. Vulnerability hits you like a hammer and your mind goes to self-defeating shame, fear and a myriad of questions. All that and more came upon me and I embraced each one with the tenacity I take on a challenge and before I knew it I was trying to turn those feelings into opportunity.  But the vulnerability made me feel weak, emotional and completely sad.  I loved this job. I loved the technology, the vision and the idea that I would be selling something that would protect people and the environment. That excited me. The other thing that excited me is that I might be a millionaire. Most people on the ground floor of a start up with a good product will become millionaires and believed that I was on a journey toward security.

Well security is not in my cards obviously, at least not worldly security.  I once again lost sight of the fact that God was in control of my life and my life is a canvas to encourage others away from the world and toward the only security we have, eternal life through Jesus Christ. Wow! Did it take a loss for me to see this once again? I would say that it did and the only good news I can report is I didn't see it as a punishment from God, I am looking at it as a faith journey.  I never felt angry at God or questioned his authority. I never felt shame because I knew that I had created opportunity and a sales plan that was working. I knew that I had given my all to this company and I was making an impact.  I just didn't see this train coming to a stop and moving this opportunity out of my life. I have to believe that He knows what's best and the only way I really even know He's in it-- is the peace I feel, the Scripture I've read and the odd chess game going on in my head.

My future is unknown. I'm navigating a land I have no experience in. I can't see ahead and my heart feels like I'm in a desert or a row of trees that are so dense, I'm unable to see beyond to the opening I know is there.  I have been praying three things: that I wouldn't have unbelief in my heart; that I wouldn't build a golden calf; and that I would trust like I've never trusted before. I can't hear Him, I can't see Him and in this fog I just have to trust in a God I have never seen. I have to trust in my Father because He tells me to.  I have to believe Jeremiah 29:11, my life verse in the same passionate way I did last year. I need to embrace the challenge to move from the world into the supernatural.  As I write this, I know my prayers are correct and I know that I have been questioning my purpose and why I believe everything is on me.  What am I supposed to learn from this trial?  I have decided to do what God asks of us and take it one day at a time.  I will live in Him by washing my heart with Scripture, asking for my mind to calm and rest in Him. I will trust in the unseen and give everything to Him and like last year, He will deliver me and I will grow in Him.

I know how scary the unknown is. I know how disheartening the storm is but I refuse to not hope for a future that is propelled by the God of the Universe. And as you read this, I pray that you too will release your fears, your insecurities and your future to Jesus Christ.  He never put His security in the world, He put it into His Father's will and that's where I must put mine too. Life is short and I have a purpose.

So if you were just blown away with bad news, you feel unbelievable shame, you wonder why your life is not going the way you planned it, my hope is you will read this and know that I am just like you but I believe that God loves me and that He will use all of this for His good.  I hope you can trust Him and believe it. Obviously, this doesn't feel good but neither did dying on a cross. He didn't do that for a selfish purpose, He did it to save us and we are blessed because of His sacrifice. He trusted that by giving His cup into the hands of His Father--His life would bless many and it has. In the dark, we must move toward the light, the hope of a new day and Jesus who will guide us through the unknown and into the promise land.

If you don't know who I'm talking about, please ask Him in prayer to reveal Himself.  He is the exact answer you've been waiting for and His people all over the world are going through tremendous trials to show you that He lives, He loves and He forgives. We must believe and we must trust Him.

Here's a few Scriptures that have ministered to me this week. They are:

Proverbs 16: 1-4 NIV

1 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.

2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

4 The LORD works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

¹¹For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


May Jesus minister to you the way He has to me.  Thank you Lord for I believe you will show me my way in the dark and you will reveal the unknown for your purpose.