When God Closes Doors...

So it has been QUITE some time since last I wrote on this blog...

I am now at my home in Colorado with my parents. I'm appreciating it a lot this time now that I don't have the security of school to return to after the summer. I've been playing piano with my church praise band which has been good because it's keeping me in the practice of playing with a group and for a service. I'm actually leading solo this week because our regular music director will be out of town. EXCITING! I've also been going on quite a few bike rides which has been really nice. I've been re-falling in love with Colorado and all it has to offer. I rode for two hours today with my friend Daniel. It was awesome, but I have a wicked sunburn as a result of such a long time exposed to the sun...

Now for the title of this entry...

I have been waiting.... and waiting.... and still waiting for a job in a church somewhere...ANYWHERE. I ended up turning down my first offer to a church because I felt that I was not being called to the church by the Lord. Needless to say, further actions of the church thereafter proved that it was not the place to be.

I then interviewed with a church in Redondo Beach, CA. The interview went quite well, and I thought for sure that the job would be secured. Proverbs 19:21 comes to mind at this point, "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." The problem with this position was that it was contracted, as opposed to a call. The church decided that a call was more important and the people with whom I interviewed said that they would take it to the next voter's meeting...which took two weeks. Then, they gave me a ring and said that the position was voted a call, but that I'd have to re-interview with them because they were now forming a call committee and so on and so forth.... They were respecting the system, but basically asking me to begin the ENTIRE process with them again after I had more than adequately represented myself. I understand why they were doing this, but I find it frustrating nonetheless.

I recently learned that one job I was gunning for in Costa Mesa, CA was filled. This blew out all hopes that I had of being close to Concordia and a lot of the people that I hold near and dear. To be honest, I was upset at this news. I had my heart set on remaining in southern California for at least a little while. I think I wanted this for several reasons, and most of them selfish. Costa Mesa, or even Redondo Beach would keep me relatively close to my friends at Concordia. I'd also be close to many of the mentors that have helped me in decision making and such for the past four years. I'd be able to sing with the Master Chorale, I'd be close to my "family away from family," the list goes on...

Echoing are the words from Proverbs 19...

I realized that these motives were selfish in a lot of ways, and only really realized this when the job at Costa Mesa was filled by NOT me. Looking at all circumstances, God is truly active in this part of my life. God is closing doors in CA for a reason.

Needless to say, "when God closes doors He usually opens windows."

OUT OF THE BLUE I received a phone call from a pastor at a church in Colorado of all places. The music minister at my church referred me to this guy after RANDOMLY talking to him at a wedding she played at. She told me she had NO REASON to talk to this pastor other than to say, "Hey, how are ya," but he asked her if she knew anyone looking for a full-time music position and she dropped my name almost immediately... He called me two days later and wanted to interview with me. I told him he needed to speak with the placement office at Concordia. Less than ten minutes later he had called and gotten my papers.... So then I interviewed. The interview went VERY well in mind. I represented myself pretty well. I hadn't gotten to see the job description before I went in, and receiving it on my departure realized that almost EVERY WORD I SAID was on the piece of paper they gave me... WEIRD. In the words of an old friend, "Coincedence or God's handiwork; you decide..."

God is faithful, and He is working. He's keeping me waiting for a reason. Thanks for all the prayers and support through this time of limbo... :)