In this special edition, I would like to share with you an amazing and valuable lesson I learned recently.  I can tell you right off the bat, most people who read this won’t understand.  However, for those of you who really want to follow Christ; will completely understand the test I was about to embark upon.

To give you a quick back drop…God continuously has shown me that he wanted me to help others understand how to overcome emotions.  I never dreamed of being a writer nor have I ever thought of having my very own website.  But, God’s ways are higher than our own; that’s for sure.  The book and website was all God.  I had never used the software programs that were needed to complete these things nor did I have the experience or training within these programs.  Yet, God provided for me every step of the way.  And, I certainly haven’t had to struggle through all of the steps in order to accomplish His tasks.  So, I’m obviously walking in His true path for my life because it has been a very easy and peaceful path to take.

With that being said, my difficult test began…

Recently, I was contacted about a great job opportunity.  It was a 3 month contractual job with great pay.  Now in the past, I would have jumped on a chance like this.  However, this situation became a major dilemma for me.  It tied my stomach in knots for days.  Here’s why…

This particular position would be considered a gold-mine for most people.  Great pay, short-term position…it would have set my finances up for quite a few months after the job was long gone.  Yet, deep inside, I was conflicted.  With this position, came long hours and a huge commute, downtown each day.  No big deal, I’m used to that…So, what’s the problem?

Unfortunately, there would have been absolutely no way I would have the strength or time to continue God’s path that I’m currently on.  Oh, let me tell you, I was making every debate in my mind:

1. God provided me with this opportunity.
2. God would give me the strength.
3. God would give me the time I needed to keep writing.
4. God would make rush hour easier.
5. And the list went on and on.

But the whole time I was trying to make sense of it all, I knew that the decision was an either/or situation.  I simply don’t know how I knew, I just knew.  What made it worse was that my family really could use the funds that this position offered.  What in the world was I supposed to do?

I immediately discussed the situation with my mom to get her feedback; since she would be affected by the decision as well.  We weighed the pros and cons together.  We tried to review every aspect, yet in the end, my mom said to me, “Why don’t you go get quiet, pray for guidance and ask God for the answer”.  There was no mistaking her wisdom…God has given her great insight through all these major changes lately and He was helping me to look higher than my current circumstances.

So, I took her advice.  I knelt on my knees, got quiet and asked God for guidance.  I discussed everything with Him; the pros, the cons, the money.  With tears flowing, I’m telling God that my family needed the funds and I know that I could put everything on the backburner for 3 months and that He would understand.  I also promised Him that when the job was done, I would get back to His writing.

But the whole time, in my heart, I knew that wasn’t true.  I knew that it would stop the amazing flow of grace He has placed on my family during all these changes.  God has been slowly changing all of us, laughter has been raining in my family and it has become such a wonderful place to be.  So, how could I let that go?  We have come so far in such a short period of time, God was with us.

What I came to realize was that the bottom-line question was simple …follow God or follow the money.  When I put it that way…there was absolutely no choice.  God will provide the funds we need so that we can keep moving in His chosen path.  God has helped me every step of the way.  He has changed my thinking, my heart, my life…all for the good.  How could I possibly stop His amazing flow of ideas and creativity; just for the money?  In all reality, it wasn’t a difficult choice…I CHOSE GOD!

I can tell you, as soon as the choice was made; God filled both mom and I with such an incredible peace.  It was like he was giving us instant confirmation that the right choice was made.  It was an absolutely amazing experience.

A particular scripture has been mulling in my head ever since: “…faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.”  As children of God, we are to trust and believe in Him whether we understand His purpose or not.  And one thing is for certain, the devil will do anything he can to hinder God’s purpose for our lives.  He makes the wrong way feel so inviting to our minds and senses.  Yet, deep inside,  you will know the right way to go as God will make it perfectly clear.

So when this happens to you, just keep in mind the simple question:  Does it take you away from God’s purpose or does it place you closer to His calling?  The choice will be yours.  What will you choose when the time comes?