In my last article, I discussed a pivotal moment in my life when I was unexpectedly released from a youth ministry position, and how this led to a transformative career journey that only God could have orchestrated.
There is more to the story. First, I will share the details of how God led me into a different calling, and how this ultimately benefited my family, helped others, and glorified him.
Romans 8
Skipping to the New Testament, I think most Christians are familiar with a verse that reveals God’s ability to do what he did in the life of Joseph: to take what was bad and turn it into something good.
The Apostle Paul, in one of the most theologically dense chapters in his epistles, declares this truth about the God whom Jesus points to. He wrote, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28, NIV).
By his grace and mercy, only because God had already called me according to his purpose, he worked in this tiny, yet significant event in my life for my good, blessing others along the way.
God’s Plans
Let’s back up to July 1985 to describe what happened next.
I worked a couple of jobs after that, but none of them met our needs long-term. So, I dropped out of seminary in December 1985 in order to take care of my family and joined the Army in March 1986.
One of the people God used to encourage us during this time was the pastor from our new church. I remember clearly what he told me: “When your dream dies, find a new dream.” Not too long after, I found that new dream. Let me continue the rest of the story from the article I quoted above:
However, God had a greater purpose in mind. This providential detour in my career set in motion an unexpected vocational journey that God eventually worked out for my good and for His glory. God redirected my life’s work by nudging me to consider joining the military . . . I spent twenty years on active duty. Thirty-three years later, I still work for the U.S. Army as a Department of the Army civilian. I was able to serve God in a greater capacity than I would have experienced in full-time vocational Christian ministry.
God needed to take me out of my comfort zone by force and put me somewhere else I needed to be to better glorify him.
Recently, I completed thirty-eight years of active federal service. I never would have imagined forty years ago how God would have worked this out for good, as Paul wrote. Or, as Joseph indicated, to accomplish what God intended to do in the hundreds of lives my family and I have touched and continue to bless in the military communities around the world where we have lived and served.
Closing Thoughts
So, does this story from a long time ago have any value for Christians today?
My deepest hope is that it does. It would be so sad for me to have gone through this experience and not see the purpose in it. I am sure that Joseph would also have looked back and been glad that God brought him through every trial and tribulation that his brothers and Potiphar’s wife brought upon him so that in the end, he could be used to be an instrument of God’s blessing to his chosen people.
What are you going through now that you can thank God by faith you are enduring for the sake of his greater purposes? Can you envision how God might have a greater intention in mind for you?
In addition to encouraging my brothers and sisters in Christ to trust God in difficult circumstances, I specifically want those who are in the midst of an abrupt career change to know that God has good plans for you. You may not see it right away, but believe me, God’s purposes will prevail. The same God who put Joseph exactly where he needed him to be is the same God who redirected my path in 1985. He is the same God who will lead you, guide you, and bless others along the way.
I trust that in the midst of your plans that are falling apart, you can praise God in these storms because you know his divine purposes will stand. You can rest in his promise that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Editor’s note: This article was adapted from the author’s personal blog. Republished with permission.
