A gracEmail subscriber writes to say that he took a job which seemed to come in answer to prayer, but that he never felt assured that it was God’s will. He finds it fulfilling and lucrative, but it takes him away from his family and church far more than he wishes. How can he discern the Lord’s leading in this matter?
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You suggest that you never had firm assurance of God’s will in taking the job, although you sensed that it was the correct choice at the time. You do not say how your wife (who, I hope, is your spiritual partner) feels about this situation. And you are apparently having second thoughts — at least enough to cause you to ask questions. Each of those factors might be significant reason to take the matter back to the Lord, just as you are doing.
God knew all our days before we were even born (Psalm 139:16) and he will accomplish his purpose in our lives (Psalm 138:8). We must seek God with a pure heart (Psalm 27:4, 8-9; 139:23-24), obediently follow his will as we know it (Psalm 32:8-9), then wait patiently for him to work in our lives and to show us the next step we are to take (Psalm 27:13-14; 37:5, 7). This is not a reason for panic but rather an invitation to peace.
You obviously value time with your family and your church very highly. Those are godly priorities, and you are wise to have them. You also sense that your present job is keeping you from fulfilling those values as you might wish. Keep the matter before the Lord. God will reveal to you any changes you should make. Until he does, be faithful in the path he has brought you to this point. He will perfect his will in your life, which, as you know, has everything to do with transforming you into Christ’s likeness for eternity with him.
