Do Not Worry

     One of my life verses has always been Philippians 4:6-7.

 "Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, with prayer and petition and thanksgiving present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus."

 There are a   few things on my heart that I have turned over to God through prayer, that have been on my mind.  As you may know I have been working on my ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) Endorsement, and have applied for an ESOL position in my school district that opened up.  After waiting two weeks from the date the position closed, I e-mailed one of the secretaries and asked if they were going to be interviewing.  Let me quote the response I received back:

"No! The position will be posted again as we did 
not receive enough to meet the criteria the first 
go around. Not sure when it will be posted.
 I will let you know."

     I really do not like e-mail, because you are not speaking with a person really.  You can't see expression, or tone, or measure intent.   My mind has reeled for the last few weeks at the implications of this response.  As far as I know, I am the only person in the county who applied.   To say Lynne, my wife, is tired of me talking about it is an understatement.  
     Over the last week or so, my heart has changed concerning this possible job change.    I have had many fellow Christians tell me that God is saying flat out you don't need the position and this is a sign of that.  As I have prayed and presented my requests to God on this topic and other things, my heart and perspective have changed.  I didn't realize how until last night.
     I live off of Callaway Church Road, and there is an affiliate of Kia about 3 minutes away.  The building and property are elevated and provide an unobstructed view of the sunset over the forest.  Last night as I walked out to feed the dogs I noticed the bright orange sun through the trees to the west, and a still small voice told me, "don't miss this sunset!"  I rushed in the house to grab my keys and camera and headed off to my vantage point.

      As soon as I got out of the car my shutter was snapping furiously.  I caught movement out of the corner of my left eye, and saw that I had cotton-tailed company for the sunset.  Normally I just snap some photos and leave.  However, every time I have done that, I have noticed the sunset became more beautiful as I drove home.  So I determined to sit this one out.  I moved farther up the hill and sat down with my camera across my lap.  After a few cleansing breaths, two things happened simultaneously.  First, a mockingbird perched over my head and began singing, and then my my heart began praying to God as I watched Him paint the sky for me.  What I prayed surprised me.  Looking back it brought to mind the passage in Romans:

24  For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
25  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 
27  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 
28  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

My heart and spirit prayed, "God you know I am not worried about the situations I have turned over to you.  I am waiting with excited expectation to see you work and show me where you want me to be.   I know that whatever happens God you love me, and you have a place for me to serve you no matter where I work."   The words of Steven Curtis Chapman's song Great Expectations ran through my mind.  The bunny ran away, and the mockingbird flew away also. It was almost as if they were holding their breath waiting for God to speak to me before they moved.    A cooling wind blew up across the trees, and I exalted in God's glory as He painted a beautiful sunset.  I got the message!!
      That is not to say I am worry free.  If you know me, you know I believe that worry is praying to yourself.  Like Paul, it is not as if I have mastered all that know and believe.   Satan loves to see us worry, because he knows if we are worrying we are doubting God.  Please don't tell me concern and worry are two different things.   If I believe that God is who He tells us He is, worry is praying to ourselves, and it is sin.  I struggle sometimes with worry.  However, sometimes I am so overwhelmed with anticipation of what God is going to do that my mind turns over the possibilities and that is not worry.  I am relying on Him, and am excited to see God work in my life and those around me.  I have Great Expectations.









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