TAKING RISKS

Four months ago (that was February 3, 2014), I was offered a job in Saudi Arabia after being interviewed through skype. It was something I never really expected I would get. After which they’ve promised to process the working visa for me to get to Saudi the soonest possible time. The visa came by the third week of May and slowly I started to get less and less interested for the job. I had a hard time considering the pros and cons of working abroad. Will it be worth it?

Although I’ve already processed some papers like my preliminary medical examinations, I was still in doubt that when Erwin told me something like, “The pay is not that good, bro!. It’s not worth it”, I finally informed the agency processing my papers last Monday that I won’t be pushing through with the application.

Realizing however that the opportunity could be somehow an opportunity given to me by God for me to learn more of my profession, to improve myself or something only God knows, I started questioning my decision. After all, the only thing that hold me back from going abroad is actually my debt to my manager who offered 50k during the typhoon Yolanda, of which I know I still could not afford to pay as of the moment.

Just yesterday, my sister gave me back the money I’ve lent her a couple of months ago. This led me into thinking that God is somehow taking control over this decision and I know I have to consider it again. I’ve asked for some signs last night and He answered me this morning. It was in the form a status message from a friend in Facebook (Joy Abigail Cañas). It was the very first status I have read for the day. Unintentionally, I have read it and it says:

Never start to say, “Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him.
You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all.

I guess this is the clearest message He gave me in my 27 years of existence on earth. I have to take the job offer. How stupid I was and childish for asking signs when all I have to do is follow His lead and entrust it all to Him. Erwin often says “When you’re in doubt, don’t”. But why do we have to doubt in the first place.

"We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “. . . why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him. If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you." (utmost.org/keep-recognizing-jesus/)

Thank you Lord for helping me out with this decision. Please be with me always.