Hewlett-Packard,where I work, is undergoing workforce reduction, and since I'm a part of the workforce, I am being reduced. Now I don't mind reducing a little around the middle, but I kind of like a rotund paycheck. It might not be quite so bad if they were just reducing my paycheck, but this is more like a starvation diet. I've been saving up for a long time, just for such an event, but I put most of it in the stock market where it would give a nice return. The stock market had a nice return alright, it returned to the 1960 level.
I'm getting close to retirement age, but it is just a few years earlier than I planned. So what do I do? Do I go find another job where I can work for a few more years? Is there a job locally that I can get? With so many people getting laid-off, the competition for jobs is intense. Is it worth uprooting the family to work in a far off land where the people speak a different language, like Alabama or New York? Decisions, decisions.
I believe that God is actively involved in my life, In fact he is the one who got me the HP job in the first place. The most important thing for me to do right now is to discern where God is directing my life. If he is directing me to move to another city, then by all means that is what I want to do. But I don't want to run away from this situation if God wants me to stay here and trust him to take care of me and my family. For some of you, this may all sound weird, but for those of us who have have been redeemed by Jesus Christ, that is the way it is or, at least, should be. Jesus has promised to be with us through everything, and, even better, to direct us in ways that honor him. Of course, the trick is to know the ways of God so I will know what will please him. I find it much easier to know my own ways and to do what is easy and safe for numero uno. That is almost assuredly not God's way. God's ways are more challenging and more rewarding, and, usually, scarier. The Bible says, "without faith it is impossible to please God", and "the just will live by faith." So that is my plan, to trust in the power of God and to live by faith so as to please him. If I can do that, then God will take care of everything else.
I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. It will be an interesting time for the Bremers in the next few months.
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This seems like an excruciatingly difficult decision to make, but I believe you are well-equipped to make it. It isn't like discovering God's will rests on your ability to divine meaning from esoteric signs and symbols. God's will is discovered in scripture with very practical instruction - like not worrying about tomorrow and placing the welfare of others before your own comfort. As in all of life, sin is the detractor. But you know scripture well and probably have a pretty good idea when your own reasoning is specious (warped by sin) and when it is based in godly wisdom.
As I write this I pray that God will give you wisdom. I pray that you will not regard sin in your own heart, but in full repentance will make your decisions based in love and faith.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Decisions like these highlight the importance of being steeped in the word. The alternative is to let popular culture dictate your decisions, which is a grim alternative to the wisdom of the Creator of heaven and earth.
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