Jul 7, 2011

God's will


Growing up at Fairhaven, I have heard one point pounded by my Preacher - "Find God's will and do it."  So much so that the college alumni had a rock engraved with those exact words.

Doing God's will has never been something difficult for me.  I grew up at Fairhaven and it was only natural that I attended the college on campus, which I believe to be the best Christian college in the nation.  As a girl growing up at Fairhaven the chronological events are usually, go to college, graduate college, get married and ride off into the sunset.  (maybe that is exaggerated a little;) 


And that is exactly how my life was going up until the end of my sophomore year.
Suddenly I knew nothing of what my future held and it was something I struggled with for the next two years through college.


Here is where I would like to insert that were it not for  godly Christian parents I would still be struggling with this concept.  I am so very thankful that I have parents who encourage me to study God's Word and find His will myself.  I am so thankful for my mother's notes to me that say,
God has a divine will for your life~isn't it wonderful to KNOW that you are in His will and He is going to bless you?  It is like opening a gift from God!
It is notes like this that I keep in my Bible and refer to often for encouragement. 


This past May, it had been two years since my college graduation.
The majority of my classmates have married, or are teaching in Christian schools, or are serving in some other church.  It is only through God's strength that I do not question Him or doubt His will.
I have been offered a few teaching jobs but none of them even required prayer.
I visited or would speak to my Preacher and I knew that God would not have me go there.


However, recently a teaching position opened up at a great Christian school in California.
I began to pray if God would have that position be offered to me and if so that I would know very clearly that that was where I should be.  Nothing scares me more than not being in the center of God's will, and this was not a small matter.


My visit to see Liz was already planned and as God would have it I was interviewed at the school where my best friend teaches.  The school was great, the church was wonderful, and the people there were so friendly.  PLUS, my best friend lives there!!!!  How much better could it get??


If I was not a Christian, I would have taken the job then and there!
After all, it sounded like a dream come true!
However I knew this was a very serious matter and that making a decision based on what I wanted would end up in disaster.  So, I came home and talked it over with my family and we began to pray.


Three weeks passed and not only was my family praying that God would give me peace in the decision I should make but also my church family.  In that time countless people would come tell me they were praying for me, something I will be eternally grateful for.


About two weeks ago, I knew my answer.  Or should I say God's answer...
It was not the easy route.
I would love to teach,
to have my own class,
to live on my own,
to experience a new place,
to teach to the class room next to my best friend...
But it was not God's will.
That I was certain.

And so God's will for me is to stay at my home church.
I don't know why and I don't know what the future holds.
Does God want me to teach?
Will I stay in the same town my whole life?
Will God bring my soul-mate here?
All these questions have run through my head, but this I know - that God's place for me now is to continue at Fairhaven, serving on the bus route, helping in a 5-6 grade girls Sunday School, singing in the choir...I have found God's will and I will do it.
 

God has led me to an Insurance Agency where I have been working for one month now. 
I love learning new things and going outside my comfort zone.
I still do not know what tomorrow holds, but I will take it one day at a time
after all the future is God's gift to me...

10 comments:

  1. Thanks for posting...
    Great encouragement!...
    Keep it up!

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  2. When you want something to be God's will, but find that it is not--that's pretty hard, even when we Know it's the right road to take. So, your attitude and willingness to keep waiting on God is a huge encouragement to me as I do the same. Keep trusting God--I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store for both of our lives.
    Elsa

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  3. Stay close to Him at all times. . . He will guide you at all times and in all ways. Although we can't always understand His ways, we can trust that He has a much better viewpoint of our lives and will guide us in the best way possible. It's all about our walk with Him . . . and those moments are opportunities to prove your faith and trust in God!
    Blessings!
    Cherie

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  4. Wow. Thank you for the post, Nicole. I've kind of felt a little bit like that ever since I started my senior year in highschool. It doesn't seem God's will for me to go to college, and everyone keeps asking me what I'm going to do. Well, right now I'm just going to keep serving our Savior and doing everything else I do right now. Yes, I'm going to still look for God's will for my life. But He will show me that in his time.

    Have you ever heard the song "Wherever You Are"? Your post made me think of it.
    I know that this is going to make my comment really long, but here are the lyrics:

    1st verse:
    Are you standing At a crossroad
    Wondering which road you should take
    And you're dreading The decision
    And a possible mistake
    But the will of God won't lead you
    Where the grace of God can't keep you
    You will never be out of His care
    Remember that the Lord's already there

    Chorus:
    Wherever you are Wherever you're going
    God is right there beside you Seeing and knowing
    Wherever you go He already knows
    What lies ahead and what's behind
    You'll always find He's never too far
    From wherever you are

    2nd verse:
    You are waiting To hear thunder
    And see lightening in the sky
    Oh, but God can Work His wonders
    Through a still small voice inside
    Just keep listening and learning
    And continue on your journey
    Just following the One who is the way
    Oh He's the only road you need to take
    (chorus)
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Also, if you would like to hear it, just go to this link, (http://www.fbcbourbonnais.com/audio/2009%2003%2015%20Sun%20am.mp3) and go 2 minutes into the audio clip. This is our teen group from church.

    Again, Thank you for posting.
    -Emily

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  5. Hi Nicole . . . I will work on getting my books ready for the Nook! You've inspired me to!
    Blessings,
    Cherie

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  6. I loved this post! :) Made me a little teary (in a good way)! I'm so excited for you, I can't wait to see what God's going to do in your life as you continue doing what His will is! I'm so happy to have you as a best friend...you are so special to me! :)
    Love you!!
    p.s. I love you new look on the blog! :)

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  7. Nicole, Thank you for this post...you are such a good example to me and I truly look up to more than you will ever know.

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  8. This post is huge(in so many different ways), Nicole! I love that you will look back and read this post on this date and you will see God's hand holding you and guiding you the whole time...how exciting! I want God's will for you-but I am so happy you are going to be around for a least a while-you are in the best place you could be! (I love your Mom-tell her I want a note:)

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  9. Thank you everyone for you encouraging comments, I am so very blessed.
    Emmy, the song was beautiful, I have already listened to it 3 times. :)
    Mrs. M, I will pass your request off to my mom ;)

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  10. I just wanted to tell you how encouraging this post was. In what seems like an ideal situation, you still chose to seek the Lord's will and follow it despite what your own personal desires may have been. I know it's a decision you'll never regret!

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