Daily Verse: Psalm 81:13-14

"If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!”

Recently I was debating a new employment opportunity that a friend brought my way. It was an opportunity with no clear cut answer as it was filled with both positive and negative aspects. The risk was high but so was the potential reward. Naturally the internal wrestling began between taking the new path versus staying in the comfortable place God had already provided. As prayers were raised and nights were sleepless, patience was the order of the day. Two days later, the answer was provided: The job opening was closed. God had spoken. It didn’t come in the form of a booming voice from heaven, an angel floating in the sky, or a deep dream at night. It came subtly through the closing of a job posting…God’s way of saying “this is not for you”. Through genuine prayer for direction, God responded. One could argue the old adage of “snooze you lose” and that I missed an grand opportunity to “pad the coffers” a bit more. But I am confident it was an answered prayer…I am confident that God decided that this risky opportunity was not where I needed to go…that the “cons” simply outweighed the “pros”. As Christians, we have professed to be followers of Christ…we have claimed to live close to God, welcoming his direction for our lives. But far too often, we fail to listen to his reply…we get so distracted in the world and so consumed with our own independence and personal abilities, that we fail to include the Creator in our lives…we fail to acknowledge His hand at work. But when we do, we find that God works magnificently in our lives…that God calms the waters and quells the storms…that God shines bright a path that was once dark and unknown. His response may come like a brick to the forehead or a subtle tap on the shoulder, but it will come. All we must do is remain faithful to Him…patiently trusting that God is active in our lives…and that He cares deeply about the direction for each and every one of us. May we seek His involvement in our lives today and listen for his response. To God be the glory!