Peace with a Massive Wingspan
I’m experiencing a little déjà vu these days.
Just over five years ago I was in the hunt for a job. The claims operation I was a part of was closing, leaving many folks like myself without work. Knowing my tenure with that company was winding down, I had an ambitious three-part goal: secure another job, reach my vesting date, and work until the end. This would have allowed me to collect my sixteen weeks of severance pay, take along my portable retirement benefits and walk straight into a new job.
I decided that two out of three wasn’t bad.
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By way of some historical oddity, my little town of 3,500 in northeast South Dakota has been home to one or two insurance companies for decades. Another company offered me a job months before my office closed, and I simply packed my belongings and took the elevator down a few floors in the same building.
They agreed to push out my start date so I could finish with four years, six months and one day of service — exactly what I needed to be vested in my retirement plan. Four months of severance pay didn’t stack up to a steady ongoing income so we let that go without a blink.
We marveled then at God’s perfect timing and provision.
If you’ve been along with me for the ride, you know that for the past several months,I have found myself there again. I’ve known October 30 was on the horizon perhaps before it even began to loom. I pursue that three-part objective all over again: leave with my retirement, my severance pay and another job.
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Honestly? The market is bleak. Companies are downsizing, and last I checked, none had plans to move to my little town.
But last Friday, opportunity knocked. Or called.
I had a job offer.
I’d be staying in my industry, with adequate pay and potential for growth.
And the job would meet all three prongs of my objective.
When I tucked books and diplomas under one arm, I’d have retirement and severance under the other and walk straight from one job into the next.
I wouldn’t miss a single day of work as a result of this layoff.
God provides. And has perfect timing. I marvel again.
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Confident of God’s provision, I called the employer on Tuesday morning to cancel our 9:00 meeting and turn down the job.
You read that right.
I turned down the job.
In a troubled economy with unemployment up, the market broken, and no solid prospects, I turned down the only offer I’ve had that didn’t involve a move out of state.
Some folks will look at that and think I’m out of my mind.
Irresponsible.
Testing God.
We don’t.
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God knows what He’s doing. And He had His ways over the weekend of showing us that this particular job, though there’s nothing wrong with it, isn’t what He’s doing.
Remember, there has been another three-pronged goal all along.
Those three things will always trump severance, retirement and a paycheck. And they require that, at least in this case, we stick our necks out a ways. But a funny little thing happens when what we chase after are things like deeper love, tighter trust, better obedience. A certain peace soars in, one that is far beyond what I can begin to fathom.
Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel. (Philippians 4:7, CEV)
I think of it as peace with a massive wingspan.
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A funny thing happened out on the blogs today. With this post essentially written, I stopped by some of my friend’s places. Now, maybe you’ll say it’s just me filtering what I read through what my heart wanted to hear. But I like to think God chose to stretch the wingspan of that peace just a little wider for me today. Check this out . . .
Julie at Random Thoughts posted on what happened when Sarai, instead of being patient and letting God fulfill His promise in His time, took matters into her own hands.
Elizabeth at Made for Something Greater and Jennifer at More than Adam’s Rib both have posts up on the changing seasons and how there is a “time for everything.”
Jennifer at Getting Down with Jesus writes today on the times we must say No.
And Nancy at Treasures of Darkness reminds us we need to slow, put on the brakes and remember “this pay is not worth your life.”
Friends, thank you for listening to what God had to say to you this week. You’ve helped me to hear today.
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Related posts:
A Certain Uncertainty
The Making of a Detour
I‘m Glad We Didn’t Build a Storehouse
Oh … wow.
I think you’ve just answered the question in the email I sent you a few minutes ago. You’re soaring on wings of eagles — wide wingspans of peace. Strength will rise as you wait upon the Lord.
You inspire me.
2009/10/21 at 10:22 PM
Oh Lyla. My heart is with you tonight. Our miracle-working God who formed creation and keeps it in motion each moment—this same God is speaking comfort to your heart. Goodness knows I’ve been here before. I’ve had a few family members’ eyebrows touch their receding hairlines when I told them my then law-student husband had turned down his one and only job offer. He went in for one day of work, came home, and said it wasn’t right. With just my teacher’s salary, we really needed the money. But I didn’t even take a breath before telling him to not return. God would provide. And He did in His time. The waiting and not knowing is always the hardest. Keep flying high on the wings of Scripture. His Word will carry you through the toughest of storms.
2009/10/21 at 11:06 PM
Uncharacteristically I am at a loss for words. I have nothing profound (from my perspective) nor do I have a smart aleck wise crack.
You had sort of forewarned us of your decision. I have every confidence that you have made the right decision. I also have every confidence that God will put the right opportunity in front of you, on his timetable.
Although I have all this confidence, I will still pray about it, specifically praying that you will recognize what God is putting before you.
The hymn writer William Cushing wrote:
Under His wings, I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and the tempests are wild;
Still, I can trust Him,
I know he will keep m,
He has redeemed me and I am his child.
We await with anticipation the news.
Dad
2009/10/21 at 11:08 PM
Dad, for whatever reason, I hear Grandma’s voice when we sing either of two hymns in church: This is My Father’s World and this that you quote here, Under His Wings. Must have stood next to her in church when they were being sung once upon a time.
2009/10/22 at 10:05 AM
Thanks all, the work He does in us during the waiting and watching is priceless — and you just can’t get it any other way!
2009/10/22 at 7:08 AM
Lyla,
You made my heart soar when I read this. To see God at work in you is a wonderful thing.
I know God has some wonderful things in store for you….just be patient..
Praying like crazy for you!
2009/10/22 at 9:38 AM
Thanks Julie! I appreciate the prayers. Patience…
2009/10/22 at 5:05 PM
You are a very brave lady, one of exceptional faith. It’s not always easy to hear that still small voice telling us “no”. You will be in my prayers in the coming days.
2009/10/23 at 1:55 PM
“Love Him more.
Trust Him more.
Obey Him more.
Those three things will always trump severance, retirement and a paycheck.”
I just copied these words onto an index card.
I think that they’re meant for me.
Praying for you, Lyla.
Sweet dreams.
2009/10/24 at 4:23 PM
Laura, the small voice, that’s the one that’s hardest for us to hear . And Deb, make me an extra copy of that index card. As much as I say it, I seem to keep forgetting.
2009/10/24 at 4:29 PM