Christoff told his story – a lesson in trust for me. A story of how God’s power is made visible through people. I must confess it doesn’t always work like that for me.

Just listen to his wonderful story:

On a Thursday in December, two weeks before Christmas, two years ago, we were all called in at work and each given an envelope. The message: “As company management, we have to advise you that each and every one of you who can get another job should do so. From mid-January, we will have to decrease staff by 80%.”

Panic! I grabbed the phone and called up every placement agency I knew. All said the same: Do not contact us; most businesses have closed for the holidays. We’ll see what we can do for you early in the new year, but as you know the economy is leveled out, blah, blah, blah…

I sat down at my desk, knocked out cold. The order book was full last week?  What had changed? Why me?

Just before I slipped under, an unprecedented calm washed over me. Time for taking stock. Things had become too good. Too much money for too little work with too many luxuries being taken for granted. I swallowed hard but closed my eyes right there where I was sitting, becoming quiet. I was deaf to the confusion and panicky phone calls around me. I realised how much I had compared to the old woman at the traffic lights that I passed each morning on my way to the office. I became even quieter.

Then a tune started running through my head. The old song, You are the Potter, I am the clay with the chorus: ”Have Your way, have Your way in me.”

And I started talking to God. I thanked Him for all that up to then I have regarded as my right, but which was purely privilege. I asked Him to do with my life as He wanted and to give me a job if it was in his will, and that I would be at peace with his decision.

I called one recruiting agent who worked in our industry. I gave my details to the young woman without really expecting an answer in the current economic climate and especially this time of year.

She phoned back with a job offer within half an hour, much closer to my home, but with a drastic cut in salary. I asked her whether I could phone her back so that I could first pray about it. Without hesitating, she offered to throw in half her monthly recruitment fee.

I accepted the offer, thinking that I would look for something better in the new year and that Friday I started my new job.

Two years later and I’m still working there, totally convinced that this is where God wants to use me.

Trust in God and an open hand towards others bring about miracles.

God is good and great. Trust in Him and stop trying to stand on your own two feet. Accept what He wants to give you. Maybe you’re too important in your own eyes.

¹¹We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable …

Christoff understands something of God’s power and I can see it in his way of life. He understands something about faith and not becoming discouraged. He knows about sticking it out and trusting that his God will provide.

May this be true in our lives as well.

Scripture

Colossians 1:9-11

Reflection

Do you trust?

Do you believe?

How strong is God’s power working through you?

Prayer

Lord, sometimes I realise that we do not let go very easily to simply trust in You. Looking back on my life, I can see that You have provided for me every single time. No reason why You won’t do it now? You’ll never drop me. I trust in You and I will not be discouraged. Amen.