If you know me, you will know that I have been job-hunting since February this year. Some doors never opened, and some that opened, shut tight. As long as I was in school, I still had my Graduate Student Assistant position so I wasn’t worried or frustrated about not finding a job. And then, I graduated! I was happy, ecstatic, and jobless! Surely I would find something. Right? Evidently not!

I tend to be a planner. I like to know when and where my paycheck is coming from. I like to know where I am going, what I am doing. I like to be in the know of things. Apparently, that’s not how God works. After I graduated, the pressure of finding a job obviously went up and being an international student, I had only 90 days to find one. With that understanding, came the revelation that the lease on my apartment was up and I had to move. Without a job, a place to stay, or any income whatsoever, I was in a helpless state of affairs. I moved to Miami, Florida to stay at a cousin’s place while he and his family were out of town. 

My friends and family would agree that I am a rather patient person. I don’t get agitated very easily. So I felt I was justified in getting frustrated over my lack of employment, despite seeking after it for 7 months (February through August). I felt I did everything right. I began applying early. I prayed over every application I sent. I was faithful in applying. I did everything right. Then why was the Lord making me wait?

I was getting tired of people’s words of wisdom. “All in God’s time.” “God blesses those who wait.” “Good things happen to those who wait.” “They that wait on the Lord will renew their strength.” “God has a plan for you.” I know they meant well and were only trying to encourage me but it didn’t help my frustration. Rather, added to it. Why was God making me wait? Where did I go wrong?

So I decided to take it up with the Lord. My friends were finding jobs that they really wanted and would thrive in. They all seemed to have a plan. They knew where they were going. Me, not so much. It seemed unfair. I opened the Bible and I read. I spent time every day seeking after the Lord trying my hardest to see what He was trying to teach me. Evidently there was a lesson that I hadn’t learned. I had no doubt that my future was secure in the Lord. I had no doubt that He knew what He was doing. What frustrated me, was that I did not know what He was doing! 

One day as I opened my devotional, I read, “An idol is anything that takes God’s rightful place.” And everything began to make sense. The lesson that I was being taught over these past several months was just that. I had made my job seeking, my idol. Every waking moment I thought about my future. Every spare moment I was hunting for jobs. I even sought after the Lord ONLY to see where my life was headed. That was my mistake! How was I so blind to see that? I focused all of my energy on seeking after my future, and what’s next, instead of keeping my eyes on the One who holds that future. I had made my future, my idol. I let it consume me, so much so I was getting anxious and couldn’t sleep at night constantly thinking about where I was headed. 

If you are like me, waiting to see which door God is going to open for you, don’t fret. He’s got your back! Spend some time on the lessons that I learned and am still learning, that God might be teaching you as well.

1. Is God #1 in your life? That’s His rightful place. Don’t give it to anyone, or anything else (Exodus 20:3).
2. God is interested in your heart and what your heart seeks after (Jeremiah 17:10). 
3. The Lord knows your need and if you look closely, you will see His providence. Do you have food, shade, and clothing? (Matthew 6:26-34).
4. Your actions speak louder than your words. If you say you trust God and are still fretting over what will be, you probably have a little more trusting to do (Proverbs 3:5).
5. God does have a plan for your future. It is for your good. It is for you to prosper. He will fulfill His plans (Isaiah 46:10).
6. Seek the Lord. Seek Him not to find out what your future holds. Seek Him, to know Him. He’s worth seeking after (Matthew 6:33).
7. Lay out your cards on the table. The Lord is concerned about you. He won’t dismiss your worries (Psalm 55:22).
8. The waiting itself isn’t as important as the process of waiting. You are being refined. Embrace it. God never leaves His work incomplete (Philippians 1:6). 
9. God sees the bigger picture (1 Corinthians 2:9).
10. God has the best in store for you. Does anyone love you more than Him? (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; John 15:13; John 10:10).

While I do have a job now, once January gets here, I will have less than 20 days before I will need to leave America to go back to my country if I am not employed. Yes, I am still waiting. But now as I wait, my eyes are on Jesus, knowing full well that He is Lord (Psalm 46:10). 

So as you wait on the Lord, remember to “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6, NASB).

In closing I have to say – I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!