When "No" is Best

Without saying anything more, let me just say that when God says, "no", it is always best! It's easy to say that, but when we get into situations where we really want something, it is very easy to start thinking that God doesn't know what we need. We would never say that out loud, but we live that way sometimes in the pursuit of the things that we think would fulfill our wants or needs.

God reminded me of His "no" always being best when I was at work yesterday. In February 2010, I was laid-off from my previous job as a software developer due to financial issues. When this happened, I knew it was a blessing because it kind of forced my hand at moving forward... and it was time to do so. I put out my resume to many companies even out to a company in TN. I found a company that does a lot of government contracts with an office only about 10 miles away... they had the foosball table and everything. It was the model of "fun and enjoyable place to work". I sent in my resume to them and had a phone interview. They called me back to set up an in-person interview then had to reschedule... then they never called back. I called them back a couple times (tip for job hunters out there... don't be annoying, but take the initiative and call them if you are interested)... and they basically said that they no longer needed someone for the position. I was disappointed. This process... phone interview, in-person interview, sometimes a second in-person interview only to get a "no"... happened over and over and over again. I really thought this one was the perfect job, but God said, "no".

Yesterday, I was part of an interview process for a new programmer at work. I downloaded her resume and started reading. Her last job was none other than THAT JOB in April 2010! Management changed shortly after she got the job... the foosball table went away... anything "fun" or "enjoyable" went away... the company struggled financially and closed down the close office and the commute changed from 10 miles to 80 miles... etc. So let me just say that when God says, "no", why do we not just believe Him? If He wouldn't have revealed that to me yesterday, would His "no" be any less wise? He doesn't need to tell us why. He knows all things and does not withhold any good thing from those that walk uprightly. Let's live uprightly and trust that anything that seems "good" that He withholds from us is not actually "good".

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth!

In Light of the End

I have been really challenged the last several days by 2 Peter.  Tonight, I was reading in chapter 3 and verses 10-15 really caught my attention.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.

My eyes must be turned toward the things that are eternal. The things of this earth will be burned up someday. One of the guys at church who has some really nice guitars often reminds me that it is just "firewood". What a great reminder that is. The stuff of this world is all going to be burned up... so in light of the end, what is at the center of my attention? Praying that I would grow in Christ-likeness and that my heart would be turned continually toward eternal things.