In the Midst

Yesterday I had lunch with someone who wanted to know my story of how I got to my current place of employment. I'm sure I've blogged about this before, but if so, it's been a while. And rehashing the story just reminded me how God is so present even when he doesn't seem to be.

I was at my previous employer for a little over three years. My role was primarily curriculum development, and I also led the teen helper ministry, which was a huge passion of mine. I also was in charge of conferences—not something I enjoyed.

So in March of 2008 when I learned that I would be in charge of the nursery (I can't stand babies) and losing the teen helper ministry, as well as reducing the amount of time I had to spend on curriculum development...I was crushed. Even though I also lost the conferences, which was a bright spot of the change, I was devastated to lose the teen helpers and gain a bunch of babies.

This began a very dark time in my life. I started my new position that May, and I was miserable. I quickly began to feel depressed. I couldn't sleep at night. I would regularly have to leave my desk, go to my secret hideaway at work, and curl up in a ball to cry. And I was very, very angry at God for doing this to me.

But here's the thing. I'd applied for other jobs, including one where I currently work, during my time at my old job. And while I hadn't even gotten as far as an interview in any of them, applying at those jobs made me think, "Could I really do that? Could I really leave the teen helper ministry?" I loved those teens, and letting go of that would've been really hard to justify.

So God just took it away from me. I didn't have to decide to let go, it was gone. Although that made me really angry, I can see now that he was loosening me up to prepare me for the next stage of my life. And because I had months to transition the ministry to new leadership, rather than a couple weeks, I was able to do so much more thoroughly.

As for the nursery? I'm so glad I didn't have to be there any longer than a couple months. (I put in my notice to go part time and only do curriculum about a month and a half into the nursery job.) But I did learn some things in my short time there that have applied to my current role. Even in a job that was a total square-peg-in-round-hole fit for me, God was teaching me, shaping me.

I said to my lunch buddy yesterday, "It was one of those things where I couldn't see God in the midst of it, but looking back he had such a great plan." And it's true. Everything that happened in 2008 was necessary for me to transition well to a new place in life.

When life seems dark and we don't know what on earth God is up to, he's still in the midst of it. He's probably doing something absolutely amazing, if you can just hold on.

Do You Want To Get Well?

Jesus heals a lot of people in the Bible. Some of the passages don't even describe the details, they just tell of people coming to see him in droves. Most of the healings Jesus performs are for people who sought his help.

And then there's the lame man in John 5. He's been an invalid for 38 years. Jesus sees him sitting by this mystical pool that is rumored to heal the first person to get in after an angel stirs it up. This man isn't begging.  He didn't have friends bring him to Jesus. He doesn't see Jesus and cry out for help. He's just lying there. And Jesus comes up to him with a simple question, "Do you want to get well?"

He actually doesn't respond to the question. He just starts making excuses. "Well, everybody else gets there first when the water is stirred up." Unlike so many who come to Jesus desperate with hope, this man plays the victim. "Woe is me." After 38 years, he's so used to playing this victim card that he doesn't even think to answer Jesus' question with a yes. We're left to wonder...does he want to get well? If he's heard the rumors of this mystical pool, hasn't he also heard rumors of the great healer traveling around Israel? Why hasn't he sought Jesus' help?

Well, want it or not, Jesus heals him. But he reminds me of too many people I've seen. Wallowing in self pity and misery so long they end up stuck there. And really, when it comes right down to it, even though it's painful, there's a comfort to it. Because at least then they can keep blaming other people and circumstances. At least then they don't have to take responsibility.

There's no mystical pool to heal our sorrows. There is only Jesus. But he rarely healed those who didn't seek it out. Do you really want his healing? Then get up! Pick up your mat and walk!