In need of Godly counsel, please.

I have a situation that I would like some Godly counsel on. I'm going to admit upfront that I feel foolish and embarrassed to even bring this up. I'm wincing at even creating this thread. Why? Because there are bigger and more important things going on in the world than to even create this thread. There are people whose lives are in turmoil and they're struggling to get through one hour, much less a whole day. In this light, I'm embarrassed and feel foolish to bring this up. But, it's on my heart and I don't seem to be getting anywhere with it in prayer.

I have three "major life changes" going on in my life right now and it's slightly overwhelming. That's ok, I don't mind that. I mention it because sometimes when we're overwhelmed, it helps to get counsel from people who are outside the situation and can see more clearly.

Change #1 - Becoming a true Christian after 24 years of American Christianity that didn't wrought a regenerated work in my heart. This change you all know about and have seen me walk out. I'm loving it, naturally, but it's been overwhelming at times. That's okay, too. I have patience and I truly do trust God. But, this change affects every other area of my life. The changes in me have been so drastic over the last almost two months that even I don't recognize myself anymore. I know this is a very good thing, but it's a lot to absorb. As I said, it's affecting every area of my life, including...

Change #2 - I'm working hard to become debt free and then I want to leave my job in Corporate America. I'm not cut-out for the 9 to 5 world. AT ALL! I truly hate Corporate America! My plan, before becoming a true Christian, was to become debt free and move to a small town in the mountains of Montana, build a small log home and settle down permanently. I want to make a living from my writing (freelance and novelist).

Change #3 would bore you and it doesn't have any bearing on this post, so I won't waste space with it. It's still a major life change, though.

So, what I would like counsel on is this: I'm willing to do [i]anything[/i] the Lord wants me to do. I'll be a missionary, a janitor, a homeless wanderer, etc., I'll even continue living in the big city and stay in Corporate America, if this is His will. He can have my dreams. I trust Him with them.

So far I haven't received any direction from Him. I have no clue what He wants of me. I'm fine with that, too, because I trust His timing and His plan for me. But, in the meantime, until I hear differently from Him, is it okay for me to move forward and take steps towards my dream? Am I being selfish in doing/wanting this?

I realize that our time left on this earth is shorter than we think, but aren't we supposed to continue living our lives as if we have the whole of it to live on the earth? Is it wrong for me to have a dream like this? I feel so selfish about it but I can't keep it inside me anymore. If people want to laugh or rebuke me, so be it, but I really need to ask this and get it off my chest.

Part of me feels guilty and ashamed to even bring it up. I mean, what kind of a "problem" is this that it should take up time and space here when others have real hurts and storms they're trying to endure? If this is the biggest problem in my life, then I certainly don't have any problems at all, do I? What I'm asking seems so foolish compared to what others are going through. As much as I share in the pain of others, I know that God gave me a life to live too, and this is where I'm at in it.

I'm sure I'm just not seeing this as I should because of all the overwhelming changes going on in me. I don't have [i]any[/i] family and my friends are dwindling because I'm not the same person anymore and they're shying away from me. They say they feel condemned just being around me and aren't at "my level" of Christianity. [i]I don't even know what that means![/i] I don't rebuke anyone or preach at them. I've just been loving them and sharing what God has been doing in my life. If I don't even recognize me, how can I expect them to? It's just a lot of change happening at one time, so I'm hoping for a little counsel from my brothers and sisters here.

Again, I'm sorry to take up space with such foolishness. And, to those who are hurting and going through real battles, I hope this thread isn't insulting to your pain. No matter what's going on in my life, the only thing I really care about is pleasing God. I just feel like I went through a spiritual boot camp and now have to walk out the door into the "real world" now. And I'm standing there, in the door frame, looking out into the world, then back at the drill instructor and asking, "Now what?"

Hi,
I don't think anyone can really give you direction in your life, as direction really only comes from God. Yet, from experience I can tell you one thing that my husband has based our lives on: "Man's heart plans his steps but the Lord directs his steps."

Many times we make plans and they don't work out; but then again just when we think nothing is going in that direction a major door is opened and we simply walk through it.

There will always be change, and as long as we live and walk in a way that is changed more into His likeness, it's a good thing.

I may not be anyone who should say anything, but planning a direction is not a "waste of space". Sure there is a lot of hurt in this world, but if there weren't people that walked in the will and direction in the Lord many of those people would never be ministered to.

I can not tell you the many times in our lives that at the most unique times, often with great struggle in our own hearts, God has brought people into our lives that needed just what we had at the time, at just the right place, at just the right moment.

Some words from a couple of songs, if you don't mind: "If just a cup of water, I place within your hands, then just a cup of water is all that I demand. No greater love has mortal man than for a friend to die; just take your cross and follow close to me...."

"Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side, bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide, in every change He faithful will remain. Be still my soul when change and tears are past, all now mysterious shall be bright at last."

(while you may not be going through "grief or pain" at this moment the message of God being faithful to bring us through every change remains. He sees the whole picture, and as one missionary said, "God is a genius!". Our job is just to simply pray, be patient, make a plan and ask for God to direct our steps.)

Grace and peace,
a sister in Christ

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. KJV
Eddie

Keith:
Are you certain that God wants you OUT of
Corporate America?

Many people speak about going into Missions. They cry out for the Nations.

Corporate America is the heartcry that God has placed on me, over the past decade.

It shocked me to receive such a cry...I had always been a Pastors Wife, and a Mother. I did not work outside of the home, until the last decade.
Then many changes of events took place as God was transforming my life, thru His Word. And I have been introduced to "Corporate America" ...

The Holy Spirit has been "Training" me, and working in my heart. He has been leading me to study about business and leadership within the secular market etc.
God has His eye on and plenty to say about Corporate America.

It seems to be the one place I do not hear a whole lot of pleas for, and yet it is a "nation" that is in desperate need of God's intervention.

Bonnie

[b]Lor E wrote:[/b]

Our job is just to simply pray, be patient, make a plan and ask for God to direct our steps.

Thank you for responding, Lor E. Your post makes perfect sense to me. It really does. It's just this sentence, your last sentence, that is the causing my dilemma. [i]My plan[/i] is to quit Corporate America and move the country to make a living from my writing. I just have no idea if it's "okay" to take steps in that direction. It feels so selfish. If I take steps in that direction and God calls me away from it, I can handle that. It's more the not knowing!

[b] rowdy2 wrote:[/b]

I appreciate the scripture, Eddie. After all, scripture is never a wrong answer! It could just be that the answer is, "Wait on Me." Then again, I do feel as if I'm in the doorway, being escorted out of boot camp. I don't know how I know that or why I feel that way, but I do.

[b] Talkn2u wrote:[/b],

Are you certain that God wants you OUT of
Corporate America?

I can't honestly say I do, Bonnie, but I don't feel a burden/calling for it either. I definitely have no desire to be in management or move up in the company. This may be wretched of me to say, but I truly, [i]truly[/i] loathe it!

If you asked everyone who knows me this question: "What do you think of when you think of Keith?" 14 out of 10 people will tell you [i]exactly[/i] this - "He loves Jesus and he hates onions!" And it's true! But verily I say unto you: I would rather eat a very large, raw onion than stay in Corporate America.

May I suggest you break yourself in slowly,
by first trying a cup of French Onion Soup? It is really good especially with the melted cheese on top. :-)

I am not one who "loves" Corporate America. I have and continue to live the nightmares of it. It has so affected and intertwined in my life.
That is why it is utterly amazing to me that God would put such a "creature" upon my heart.

May God's Strength uphold you, Keith, as you await your "release."
Bonnie

Praise God Brother,
It is always refreshing to see other brothers and sisters WILLING to forsake all for the gospel. First, scripture says that "THE STEPS OF A GOOD MAN ARE ORDERED BY THE LORD". So if we are walking in holiness and righteousness then we can trust the our footsteps are being ordered by God. Regaurdless of where they may lead us. Secondly, I have also found out that when God is not leading me that I do not have a clearing in my own heart. This has came in many different ways. So, this "selfish" feeling could be just that. If you feel clear to leave "CORPORATE AMERICA" (Praise God) then leave, and trust God to lead you to the next step. Don't try to figure out every little detail before making the first move, but don't be lazy either.(you know, sit back and do nothing). One question, Do you have a body you are moving too? This should be your motive for moving not house's, land's, job's, and etc. God will provide those things. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all his righteous-ness and all these things shall be added unto you. So brother, act on what God has showed you today, and trust him for tommorrow. (take no thought for tomorrow Matthew 6:34). AND FIND A LIKE MINDED BODY. We all need this. God Speed. ;-)

SimpleLiving said;

But, it's on my heart and I don't seem to be getting anywhere with it in prayer.

Please before you do anything listen to David Wilkerson message

The making of a Man of God

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=15232

Thanks for the counsel, brothers and sisters. After more prayer I've decided not to take any action at this time, based on the fact that there's some confusion involved. If nothing else, I know God is not the Author of confusion, so I will let that be my guide in this case.

Thank you again.

i. Make sure that your so called "change" is not part of a subtile "escape mechanism". Also make sure that your motives are not a projected dissatisfaction of a career life gone wrong from a earthly point of view. Often the withdrawal-like-lifstyle has the connotation of a person feeling maladjusted or misunderstood. Remember that Jesus is our Way and Life(style) he did only momentarily (for prayer) withdraw (for a night or so or 40 days in the wilderness). Jesus was extravert and liked being among people (even with those who didnt understand him).

ii. Also make sure that your so called "change" is not of a pharisaic/legalistic (and bitter) root.

If the the above is not the case (when you had a true soul-searching) God will surely show you his will. Just wait, trust and pray and you will discover just that.

Sincerely Magnus
:-D

by Mangan on 2008/2/26 13:54:25

i. Make sure that your so called "change" is not part of a subtile "escape mechanism". Also make sure that your motives are not a projected dissatisfaction of a career life gone wrong from a earthly point of view. Often the withdrawal-like-lifstyle has the connotation of a person feeling maladjusted or misunderstood. Remember that Jesus is our Way and Life(style) he did only momentarily (for prayer) withdraw (for a night or so or 40 days in the wilderness). Jesus was extravert and liked being among people (even with those who didnt understand him).

ii. Also make sure that your so called "change" is not of a pharisaic/legalistic (and bitter) root.

If the the above is not the case (when you had a true soul-searching) God will surely show you his will. Just wait, trust and pray and you will discover just that.

Sincerely Magnus

That's sheer wisdom, brother, and very much appreciated. I'm content with my decision.

Jeannette wrote:

But it would have been good if I'd been obedient the first time.

Be patient. The Lord can move very fast when the right time comes

This is my goal, sister. To learn to obey the first time. I just want to be sure I don't get so caught up in waiting and hearing from the Lord that I don't take any action at all out of fear of missing Him. Sensitivity to His voice and discernment are two wonderful qualities, aren't they?