Working Girl Again (Praise Report!)

For the past year, I have not been working. But God has (in so many ways)! After a year of being out of work (and many discouragements about finding a job due to the nature of life right now), I am employed! Well, technically, I am self-employed. And this is how I know God was behind it all...

In September I was contacted by someone on LinkedIn asking if I was a toxicologist and whether or not I was interested in a position as a contractor. (Yes and yes!) That led to a couple of interviews and a few days later, a signed 1-year contract and a scheduled flight to Ann Arbor for a public training course at my old employer. As a bonus, I got a wonderful, but short and packed time of visiting family and friends while I was in town -- although I didn't get to see everyone, unfortunately! Most exciting of all, the job is  work-from-home (e.g., the Bay Area, Detroit area, or anywhere!) -- how ideal! All from a random message on LinkedIn. Coincidence? Not if you believe in a sovereign, powerful, GOOD God!

Following training, I had an orientation with the company I'm working with, who are based out of Southern California. It's beginning to feel real and the next step is simply to start! (I just got my first assignment today!) There's quite a bit of uncertainty, but I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to what God has in store. (Knowing that He has orchestrated this has been a great reassurance through the unknowns and self-doubting.)

As you all know, the past year has brought many changes to my life. (Most have been wonderful!) But when I felt overwhelmed by the prospect of it all a couple of summers ago, God ministered me through a song based on Isaiah 43 (emphasis mine):

But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.
³ For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
⁴ Because you are precious in my eyes,
    and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
    peoples in exchange for your life.
⁵ Fear not, for I am with you;
    I will bring your offspring from the east,
    and from the west I will gather you.
⁶ I will say to the north, Give up,
    and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the end of the earth,
⁷ everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

[Check out a sample of the song here. I just love songs that sing scripture -- I'd much rather hear and memorize lyrics based on scripture than someone's opinion!]

In context, God is using Isaiah to reassure the nation of Israel that although they were going to go into exile (as punishment for their disobedience), they would not be abandoned by God; in fact, He would still be with them and would eventually deliver them. God used these verses (in song format) to remind me that He who saved my soul by sending his own Son to die on the cross as payment for my sins (the most important and loving thing He could do for me!) would surely not abandon me now or ever. He is on my side. That does not mean everything will go my way, it just means that I will never be alone to face anything that comes my way. It doesn't mean that I can handle everything He'll allow to happen to me by myself, it means He can handle everything He'll allow to happen to me.

He is worthy of praise! I hope that reminder is an encouragement to you where you are today!