Be on the Lookout

When we want to know God's will for our lives or the next thing God has in store for us, a lot of times we just have to take a step back and allow God to show us what it is that He has planned. Pastors typically tell us to "pray, and then listen for God," but I think the use of the word "listen" confuses a lot of Christians. What most pastors are getting at when they want us to "listen" for God is that we should be patiently watching for any indicator of what God wants to do with us. If we're not listening but jumping to a conclusion without prayerfully considering it, it can mislead us.

Since I started working, I have rarely ever received Sundays entirely off. This has prevented me from going to church every week, or committing to teaching/helping with Children's ministries. I eventually figured there was not much I could do about this. If I wanted to pay my bills, I would have to suck it up and work when I am scheduled. But then the September '08 schedule came..

I had every Sunday and every Thursday of the month off. It seems like such a clear-cut sign now (College bible studies are on Thursdays, and service on Sundays), but at the time, I didn't realize it until that same week Pastor Rudy handed me a Children's ministry application. God opened up the opportunity for me, and I almost missed it because I wasn't on the lookout for what He wanted to do in my life.

1. God opened the window for me to serve by giving me Sundays off.
2. God placed the desire on my heart.
3. God had Pastor Rudy hand me an application, and gave me the desire of my heart.

I believe that God will use situations and our hearts to provide the answers that we're looking for. We just have to be on the lookout.

"Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4