God Gets First Place
The year was 2014. I had a great job, and everything was going well in my life. And because I was still getting to know God, I trusted most people who were good to me. I figured that if I didn’t have a reason to mistrust someone, then they were okay. Until the day I was demoted from my position. I couldn’t understand what had happened or why, especially when I had been “employee of the month” twice in a row.
But I remember the store manager calling me into his office and telling me I was being demoted because I was not doing my job. I was so upset that I told him he would be better off firing me and be done with it. To my surprise, his reply was, “You are too good of an employee for me to fire you.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Noticing that I was upset, he immediately told me I could take the day off, or even a couple of days, and not to worry about it, that I would be paid.
I was angry, hurt, and confused. But instead of following my emotions, I chose to follow a challenge my pastor had given us: to read the Bible and wait for God to speak. So, in the days following my demotion, I spent an hour or two reading, worshiping, and waiting to hear from God in the employees’ parking lot before work. Not too long after I started doing this, God told me to be quiet and wait on Him, to not be angry, and that soon those who had wronged me would no longer be there (Psalm 37:7-9). Shortly after all this took place, God moved me to a different job. And in the following years, He moved me again to two other jobs, and each one was always better than the last.
To make a long story short, that was the first time I listened and followed God’s instruction. This set the way I wanted to live my life thereafter—giving God first place in my life, listening to His direction, being obedient, and trusting that He would always take care of me.
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6 NIV)
Making God the center of our lives and being obedient to His will brings blessings, including protection from those who want to harm you.
The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe (1 Samuel 24:4).
He will supply all your needs:
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
Since that day, my relationship with God has grown immensely. I depend on Him for everything, and I listen for His direction. Even when I don’t understand what He is doing, I obey Him. Today, I can honestly say that I walk from glory to glory—and that many have been the blessings I’ve received from our Heavenly Father. He’s got me working for His kingdom and living the abundant life that He’s promised to all who receive Jesus Christ as their savior. I have peace, I feel loved, I am protected, and have no worries for the future—because I have God by my side.
So, today, I invite you to trust God with everything you have. Seek Him and listen for His direction. Obey Him even if you don’t understand. Because nobody knows you better than your Creator. And if you don’t know Jesus yet, ask Him to come into your life now. Then, experience the amazing love He has for you!
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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
