Have you ever experienced God showing you the way? Has he given you an answer to a long-asked question? Was the answer an obvious answer or one you did not expect? Did God lead you down a path you didn’t know you needed to pursue? Were you willing to follow God?
We can ask God for direction for a long time (by our standards) before we get an answer. The answer may be unexpected. Perhaps we have been looking for a new home, and the answer shocks us. Maybe we are looking for a new job, and answer may have us changing careers.
The prophet Jeremiah had an unexpected answer to a question he didn’t know he should ask. God directs him to buy a field from his cousin. Jeremiah wasn’t looking to purchase a field. But he was willing to do what God told him to do. So, when his cousin came to offer him the field, Jeremiah purchased it. It was a sign from God and a message for the people of Israel.
As a pastor, I am on my third career. The switch from the first to the second was logical. I retired from the Marine Corps and became a defense contractor. It continued to work in IT to support the Navy, Marine Corps, and Aerospace customers. But switching from an IT career to become a pastor was not logical by human standards. Yet, God called me, and I knew I had to answer. Honestly, God didn’t give me a choice.
We all can hear guidance coming from God. Sometimes, it comes in the advice a friend gives us. Sometimes, it comes as a voice in our head when we are quiet. Sometimes, it comes from a complete stranger who hears some part of our story or situation and gives us the advice we need to hear. But make no mistake about it, God is in the midst of it. If you are unsure, ask God to make it abundantly clear. Just be ready for him to do so and be ready to do as he tells you to do.
I pray we all ask God for his guidance in our lives. I pray we listen for him to give us his guidance. I pray each one of us are ready to answer God in the affirmative when he tells what he wants us to do. Ask for God’s guidance. Listen for God’s guidance. Be ready to say yes to God.
Jeremiah 32:6-78 Jeremiah said, “The word of the Lord came to me: Hanamel son of your uncle Shallum is going to come to you and say, ‘Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours.’ ”
Marty Pressey 