Directions: Hearing God's Wisdom

Life has certainly taken a big turn or shift since December when I left the hospital for life of part time work…on my terms.  It was a big risk for me or I should say for us.  I left a dependable salary where I had invested myself into the culture of the hospital, working hard with my colleagues and medical staff to meet the needs of so many patients.  I left, not because I had a hefty retirement awaiting me (because I had no retirement) but because Darrell and I agreed it was the right time to do so.
 
So how did Darrell and I get to the decision of me walking away from a great salary and worthy work of helping people in their deepest, darkest time?  Hospitalization in a person’s life is usually related to health perilous conditions. It almost sounds selfish, self-serving for me to leave but I can assure you it has not been.
 
I only share this process because it is a common pursuit of all people and I might add maybe more specifically for Christian people seeking direction for their life in following God’s path.  It would be so easy if we could be like King Belshazzar in Daniel 5, when during a banquet, a hand appeared and wrote on the wall.  He had to summon Daniel to interpret the message and foretold the King’s fate, which by the way did not end well.  Or even easy if God spoke to us like He spoke to Moses in Exodus 3 through a burning bush that was not consumed. Nope, I have not had that experience.
 
So for us, there was no handwriting on the wall or burning bush.  The process began last July during a bible study on Proverbs that I was co-teaching to women at church. I remember studying the scripture when it was like a light turned on in my mind.  I was working, with one intent, to pay off one small bill and our house.  That was it, no more.  I was about 30 months from getting it done.  I was dumping as much money on both of those bills.  I was actually counting months, which was so motivating. But that day, in bible study, began a different course and mindset.
 
As I was studying Proverbs, and I don’t even remember the specific passage, I had an overwhelming impression that came into my mind.  It was so clear, “stop working to pay off the house”.  Of course my mind raced in so many directions.  Is that from you God?  Do you mean keep working but don’t try to pay off of the house? Or more cynical, is something going to happen to me, or Darrell that we don’t need to pay off the house? Is the world going to end and we will all be raptured so who cares if the house is paid off (I actually have heard that line from people)? Was this my imagination or did I actually hear/had an impression from God.
 
I was very moved emotionally by this statement, ruminating over it for days.  Paying off the house had been my “only” motivation in getting up every day and living in the stress of ICU/Emergency Department.  Not wonderful to confess. While I cherished the interactions with the wonderful nurses and patients, I was so done and spent on the stress of my job. It was showing on my face, attitude and demeanor.  It took me a couple of days to tell Darrell about the thought.  Darrell has always been very supportive of me and his first comment was that we had always planned for me to quit at sometime.  So we set a different course from that discussion; first and foremost, praying. 
 
We declared the month of August a time of fasting and praying.  Of course we did not fast the entire month but we were intentional that we were praying for a clear answer, for me to leave the hospital. We prayed individually and jointly.  At the conclusion of the month, we both agreed that the time was coming to leave the hospital and that we would know the right time.  Our strategy changed immediately. I quit dumping extra money on the two bills and focused on moving it to savings.
 
As the days turned to weeks and then to months, a day finally came that we both agreed on me submitting my resignation.   I actually submitted but then extended for another month or so.  I won’t get in the “weeds” as to how we knew but we did and had peace. I have to say, I had my worries and doubts. I even negotiated part time work 3 days of week however, we got to the point; the right action was complete break away from the hospital which I did the first week of December.
 
Throughout scripture, God has used many ways of communicating His message and direction to people. In 1Kings 19:9-10, Elijah was hiding in a cave when God spoke to him.  In Luke 1:31, Gabriel the angel of God informed Mary that she would conceive Jesus.  Paul, on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:1-9 encountered a light that flashed around him. Jesus spoke, revealing Himself to Paul.  There are so many examples in the Bible that supports and demonstrates God’s involvement in the lives of people. God gives direction, correction, information, encouragement, guidelines and so much more to so many. 
 
In our lives, we have known God’s direction for us just like many of you through an endless list of scripture, prayer, counsel, sermons, invitations, etc.  However, the conversation of God speaking to us, and our ability to hear and respond, would be incomplete if we didn’t acknowledge times of frustration in hearing Him. We have wandered in dry desert times of not hearing God’s voice and the times where these have been void of knowing what we need to do. It’s during these barren times, we cry out, dig deeper and ask others to help us in our endeavor of hearing God.  Psalm 18:6 says “In my distress, I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help.  From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.   God has all the answers.  It is to Him we cry out to for help..for wisdom.
 
Are you currently in a time of need direction?  Do you feel frustrated and stressed about which way to go or what to do? In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus, while speaking to the disciples and the multitude, gave a command to “Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone, who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened”.  This command was given in the present tense so it is a continual action of every moment of every day.  Praying without ceasing                             (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
 
Please share how God has spoken to you.  If I can pray for you in anyway, please message me. 
 
Blessings,
Karen