In Fact, in Faith and in Fellowship

My journeys have brought me here, to Rogers City Michigan, home of my beloved mother-in-law and the shrinking town where my beloved spent her years learning and growing into the glorious young woman of God back then, before I knew her. Our footprints have been and are being pressed forward by the fingerprints of our Lord, for those of us who choose to use the dust of the journey to strategically brush and reveal His fingerprints upon us. This blog is my attempt to 'lift' His fingerprints and expose them to anyone who would choose to read and then discover His fingerprints upon their own life.

Joining the millions of unemployed in our nation, for the past months I find that employment would only get in the way of the current opportunities and places to be Jesus where He leads. My days are filled with things to do, people to engage, listening, really learning to listen, and finding the balance between waiting and doing. A pastor (and accountability partner in faith) here has stated to me, some look at unemployment as a loss while others see it as an opportunity. I am in the second lot.

There has been a call upon my life to be intimate, nimble, authentic and effective for Jesus long before this time of worldly unemployment. I choose to look at this time not as being unemployed, but being redeployed fully for Christ. Did not God promise to care for us (Matthew 6 and a host of other places)? Do I really believe that I am His in my job and while I am at work? Then should it not be that as I continue to seek Him in this time that He would continue to 'employ me' in His work at His will, with His continued call?

You see, I am still employed by Christ as long as He gives me breath. I do not get my fulfillment from my 'job' or 'career path', but rather from Christ alone. If I truly trust Him, do I truly trust Him in this time of 'need'? Does my life fully and realistically reflect this trust? Are others, including strangers hearing my complaints, struggles and bad attitude? Or are they hearing and seeing that in fact, in faith and in fellowship that my life continues on as it has, being as Paul put it, content in abundance, and in want?

Phil 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

Many have told me that my 'comfort' comes from having a wife gainfully employed, and yes, that is partly true. I do not take His hand of blessing lightly, but it is my hope and belief that even should He take her and all I 'own' away, my faith would still remain undaunted. No one would wish such a thing upon anyone, nor do I wish to actually face such challenge, but if called to do so, should not He be sufficient? Only time will tell what He will ask of me or my loving partner in life, but many times I have been required and found God to be faithful!

This long separation from my wife (I came here to work on my mother-in-law's home to help her maneuver in and out without having to negotiate steps to the living level of her home as she is relegated to using a walker) has been set apart by the leading of my God, and I can see and feel His hand of pleasure upon me as I do so. While many praise me for such an endeavor, my response and full belief is that I am only doing what God has asked of me in this time. He will care for me, lead me and continue to guide my work as I live in each day as His servant for His glory, for His kingdom. Sure, it isn't without struggle. It isn't without the unknown. It isn't without heartache. But it is with Him. It is with His leading. It is in response to His call.

His fingerprints continue to press upon my life today and will do so for eternity! How freeing it will fully be, when one day, I will be relieved of this earthly struggle and angst, to revel in the fullness of His presence, His glory rising as easily as I take each breath here, for to live and breathe, is to serve at the table of our Master, Jesus, here, and in His completed, holy, heavenly dwelling.