The Journey...

To say the job market stinks right now would be an understatement.

Part of me, socially and globally, understands that it is a necessary evil. Production wise, we have old models of doing business and a very aging infrastructure that needs to be completely demolished and rebuilt. Patching and repairing will no longer do. A complete change must happen.

For a lot of folks, it is business as usual. In fact, for more than 90% of the US, nothing has really changed. The media and politicians would like to scare us into thinking the world is coming to an end, but, in reality, we are doing pretty good.

So my 2 cents are just exactly what they are worth...

I do believe that when one door closes in life a better one opens. I stand by many verses in the Bible but try to live Jeremiah 29:10-14...

29:10 “For the Lord says, ‘Only when the seventy years of Babylonian rule¹⁵ are over will I again take up consideration for you.¹⁶ Then I will fulfill my gracious promise to you and restore¹⁷ you to your homeland.¹⁸ 29:11 For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord.¹⁹ ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you²⁰ a future filled with hope.²¹ 29:12 When you call out to me and come to me in prayer,²² I will hear your prayers.²³ 29:13 When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul,²⁴ 29:14 I will make myself available to you,’²⁵ says the Lord.²⁶ ‘Then I will reverse your plight²⁷ and will regather you from all the nations and all the places where I have exiled you,’ says the Lord.²⁸ ‘I will bring you back to the place from which I exiled you.’

A very refreshing verse, but a very hard one to follow each and every day.

The world is a very cruel and unforgiving place. It is Satan's realm of deceit and lies. The closer you are to having a friendship and a true relationship with God, the more he will attack you and everything you love. For more on this, check out the book of Job.

So with that foundation and understanding, it is easier for me to understand and remain patient... most days...

There are times I have tremendous amounts of frustration and anger with my plight. I can get depressed over decisions I may have made that led me to this point of being laid off. Maybe if I would have done this or that I could have gotten past this. Maybe I should have taken that offer to leave and go with another company a few months before I got laid off. The mind can race.

Add the family aspect. A wife who is just as confused and frustrated as I am. The plot thickens.

The one constant is there is always something glorious in store of us in the time of our greatest doubt and fear. A devotion I read with my wife last night made the analogy of God and I on a tandem bike. For years I have steered because I didn't fully trust him to take the best way I thought possible from point A to point B. We should have the role reversed, though. He should be steering and guiding us through His plan. Sometimes you take some sharp curves and climb a mountain you think is impossible. But, as with the verse in Jeremiah, He knows where He is leading you and He knows what your purpose and outcome is for His calling.

That is where I stand now...

What is my calling...

What is my purpose...

What is it that He needs me to do...

And... why has 5 months passed without His plan yet being revealed to me.

Until next we meet...

Waiting...

This should be an easy question...

Have you ever been in a place in your life where you felt like you were in a line that wasn't moving? Ready to great someone at the door, but they never show?

That is where I've been for about 5 months now.

I was laid off after 4 1/2 good years in pharmaceutical sales. I never in a million years ever thought I would be selling drugs, ugh... legally, but it was a solid job that helped me provide for my family. All was well, or so it seemed. My company had gone through many restructures over that time, but they always held true to the statement, "no one will lose their jobs." Well, on Dec. 3, 2008, a great many of us in all levels of the company lost their job. The ride since has been roller coaster to say the least.

The one thing that has remained a constant for me each day is my faith in God and his plan for my life.

Okay, some of you out there who don't know me is probably going to run and hide from the religious nut, but I ask you to hang with me for a little bit longer.

There are many versus in the Bible promoting God's love and plan for all of his children. Again, for all of his children... those who believe and who do not believe. But there are also just as many versus explaining the hardships and trials a fallen world brings us all.

So this is where I've been for the past 5 months... trying to figure out why a door closed and faithfully follow God's calling and direction in walking through the right door that opens next.

I've had a couple of things that looked like God sends and sure shots fall short at the last minute. That can be crushing. Just as crushing as losing a job. But, faithfully, I know it is for some reason.

Join me over the next few days and weeks as I figure out what and where my faith and calling is leading me.

Until next we meet...