Bill scooted his chair a little closer to the fire. “Thanks for having us over this weekend. It’s so nice to get away.” He glanced back toward the cabin. “I guess the ladies got sidetracked.”

John smiled. “Not surprised. I expect they’re sitting in the living room chatting. Mindy would rather sit on the sofa talking with Sarah than come out here where it’s cold.”

“It’s nice with the fire.”

“I know, right? They don’t know what they’re missing. But I don’t mind. This way I have a chance to catch up with you. How are you doing? I know losing your job was a tough blow.”

Bill blew out a breath. “I’ll be honest. It’s pretty hard. I’ve been searching night and day for the last two weeks and I haven’t found any promising leads. I’m getting worried about our finances.”

“Of course, you are. How’s your state of mind?”

“Not great. You know how it is. I’m used to being the provider. I’m afraid Sarah doesn’t look at me the same way. I’m not sure who I am without work, you know?”

John’s brow wrinkled. “At the risk of sounding preachy, can I give you a little advice?”

Bill set his drink on the ground and turned in his chair to face John. “I can use all the advice I can get. What I’m doing certainly isn’t working. It’s tough at my age to find a new job. I guess I feel pretty washed up. If you have some advice to help me find a job, I’m all ears. It’s all I think about these days.”

“That might be your problem,” John said.

Bill raised his eyebrows. “I need a job. I can’t afford to retire yet. I don’t know what I would do all the time even if I could retire now. Sarah is five years younger and she certainly won’t retire anytime soon.”

John nodded. “I understand that. I’m not saying you shouldn’t get a job. I’m saying that you have an opportunity right now you didn’t have before.” He tilted his face up to the sky. The inky blackness was dotted with millions of tiny pinpricks of light. “I love coming out here at night. This is one of the reasons why I love this cabin. We’re far enough away from the city that you can actually see the stars. It’s the same way with your life. Having a job is good. Yes, you need one to make money, but it gives you a sense of accomplishment and connection with others as well. But right now, without the job taking up all your time and focus, it’s kind of like coming up to the cabin and looking at the stars.”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“You’re not spending 40, 50, or 60 hours at the office right now. You have the ability to focus on the stars. God may be giving you an opportunity to focus on other things. First of all, you have time. Time to spend with Him. When is the last time you picked up your Bible? You’re not too busy now. Read what He wants you to hear from Him. You have time for your family, for your friends, to take care of your health, to exercise, to volunteer. Don’t spend all your time thinking about getting a job, or you will have wasted this gift of time.”

Bill sighed. “OK, I get it. Don’t make me feel even more worthless. Not only do I not have a job, I’m also doing unemployment all wrong.”

John raised his hands. “Whoa, that’s not my intention. Maybe I should have addressed the other issue first. You, my friend, are not worthless. Even if you never work another day in your life. God designed you exactly as you are and has a plan for you. He knows the future. He knows what He wants you to do. You just have to be willing to listen and be open to His leading. It doesn’t matter if you’re 72 or 22, the basics are still the same. Trust God with your future. Can I share with you one of my favorite verses?”

Bill shrugged. “I suppose so.”

“In Philippians 4, it tells us not to worry, but to give our requests to God. If we do that, He’ll give us His peace. If you trust God with your situation, He’ll give you a peace about it. He’ll tell you how you should be spending this time and He’ll take care of you, one day at a time.”

Bill straightened in his seat. “I certainly don’t feel peace right now. I can’t think of anything I’d rather have. Well, other than a secure, high paying job.” He chuckled.

“I’d rather have no job and God’s peace than the best job in the world without it. Another verse in the Bible lays it out pretty clear. What good is it if we gain the whole world but lose our soul? If you have everything on earth but don’t end up in heaven, it’s all worthless. Make sure you have your heavenly priorities straight before worrying about the earthly ones.”

“Seek first the kingdom of God, right?”

“Exactly.”

Bill rubbed his chin. “You’ve given me a lot to think about. I’m still going to keep looking for a job, but I’ll also try to listen to God first.”

John grinned. “Great. He knows you better than you know yourself. I’m sure His plan for you will be better than you could ever have imagined. Now, let’s go in and see if the ladies are ready for dessert.”

Philippians 4: 6-7

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 16: 26

What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?                                                                                                

Matthew 6: 25-34 

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

 

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.    

God, Thank You for giving us Your word. Your word applies to every situation. Thank You for the comfort we can find in Your promises. No matter what happens to us, You are not surprised. You see the path in front of us. Please help us to follow the path You have chosen for us and to rest in Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen