Back To Work

“The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.58.11.NLT

I cannot believe the festive season just went by so quickly. I am sure a lot of you will get back to work this week. I know that dread feeling, I also resumed this week, but we have to get up and move!

So, this got me thinking about how a lot of people start the year writing down goals and prayer lists we want God to answer. However, reflecting on this I realized how so concentrated we are on our goals and prayer lists without actually putting God first or hearing God's voice, as Christians we are to follow God's will and let his will be before ours but a lot of the time we like to go ahead with our own goals, wants and desires but never ask God what he wants from us this year or what he wants us to do this year?

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭32‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.32.8.KJV

In your career ask God to direct your steps this year. Let him lead you. Some people God is speaking to you to change your job, for some he is telling you to stay in that position. For some he is going to direct you to the job you will apply to. For some he might just tell you to be kind to that boss or colleague who is not nice to you. Let God's voice be louder than other voices or noise in our heads.

“I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭85‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.85.8.NLT

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14‬:‭33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.14.33.KJV

Also, when he speaks, we need to identify when God is speaking, an example of this is Samuel who could not recognize Gods voice at first, but Eli recognized this and told Samuel in 1 Sam 3:7-9-

“Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. Therefore, Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he calls thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So, Samuel went and lay down in his place.”

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.3.7-9.KJV

What struck me in this verse is the first line which says now Samuel did not yet know the lord. Someone might ask how can I hear God's voice well the line answers your question try to KNOW GOD then you will know his voice.

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭105‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.119.105.NLT

Knowing God means having an intimate connection with him and to do this we need to read and understand his word. Everything you want to know about God is written in his word. Trust me getting to know God is not an easy journey, even knowing yourself or another human being takes a lot of work, understanding, patience and time not to talk of the Almighty God. I am also trying to learn about Him every day. Have you ever wondered why when you decide to read the bible that is when sleep comes knocking or you get distracted by Instagram or what's app messages, the devil will try all possible best to stop you from reading his word because he knows the more you read the more you will know. There is a popular saying the more that you read the more things you will know and the more that you learn the more places you go, and this is very true with the Word of God. Try to understand yourself and create a system that works for you, some people use the YOU version bible app which I recommend for all Christians and use the plans to help, some use devotionals, some pick a time or place that will enable them to read, and some don't even like reading with their phones and rather read the physical book itself because that works for them. What works for you?

“In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/116/jer.29.13.NLT

If you need help you can always call on him and ask him to help you. Just like the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, he can also teach you how to know him.

Fasting is also really helpful in hearing Gods voice why you ask? Let's take a look at Moses- God was able to speak to Moses while he was fasting and because of that he was able to tell the Israelites the Ten Commandments.

“Moses remained there on the mountain with the Lord forty days and forty nights. In all that time he ate no bread and drank no water. And the Lord wrote the terms of the covenant—the Ten Commandments—on the stone tablets.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭34‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/116/exo.34.28.NLT

Don't just fast to get something from God, fast to know him, to get answers and direction examples like Esther and Daniel and so many other examples in the bible who fasted, and God directed their path. Currently a lot of churches are going on a fast be it 21 days, 40 days you can use this opportunity and join too. Some people find it difficult to fast but joining your church can help. If this is new to you, you can start small and as time goes by you will start fasting for longer hours.

In summary, this time is crucial it's the beginning of a new season in your life and career meaning God wants to do something new in your life, but you can only know this by being more intimate with him. Especially at work places I am sure a lot of people need Gods direction in their jobs and even business. Trust me it will get easier when you trust God and let him lead the way. It is not easy but it is worth it. What always helps me is God created us so he is the only one that knows what's best for us no other person will know or see you like he does. Just like we use a manual guide to help assemble an object that's how it is with God, he is the only one that has our manual guide.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.3.5-6.NLT

I love this song so much and you can listen to it, it explains how we should be as Christians with God, he is our only heart fixer. Just like you go to the shoemaker to fix your shoes go to God to help you and direct you. Be blessed as you listen.

Shalom!