Today is day 16 of my 40 days - 40 carbs - 40 prayers.
Today I am writing about fear...again. Right now the economy isn't that great, and people are losing their jobs. For the most part, Oklahoma education hasn't been that affected. Programs are getting cut, but the jobs are still there.
Now in California it is a different story. Their education bill was voted down, and the lay-offs are overwhelming. Now we all know that come fall all those kids are going to walk back through the doors of their schools, and teachers are going to be needed in those classrooms. They already allow 30 kids per classroom per teacher, but they still need a highly qualified individual in that room.
Now I am leaving Oklahoma and moving to California. All of my secular friends tell me I am making a mistake. I am a teacher with an out-of-state certification competing with local teachers all scrambling for the same job. One of the positions I applied for had over 300 applicants. All I've heard back from the many jobs I have applied to in the last four months, is one nibble.
Last week I called and talked to my veterans adviser, and even he recommended that I wait a year for the education job market to turn around. I listened to all the things he said, and then I asked him if he was a Christian. I told him that although this is a scary time to move, it is God's will for my family. He immediately said that I would be fine, and that I was covered. The same holds true for every believer I have spoken to.
The power of God is an amazing thing. All I did was mention God and a complete stranger told me I could do it. All through the Bible, 253 different verses, we are told how to handle fear. We should fear nothing in this life. The only thing we should be afraid of is the Lord. His power is absolute in all things. If he wants me in a classroom, it doesn't matter what the economy looks like. I just need to be patient and let him do his will in his time.
Proverbs 9:10 NIV
The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
However, there is nothing saying that a little prayer wouldn't help. I applied for the perfect job this morning before this post. It is in a great neighborhood, the pay is in the right range, and the academic program is one of the highest in the state. I would love to have this job, so send a couple prayers up to our Father. If it's his will, I would love to have this job. If not, I will keep applying to all of them, until I find the one that He wants me to have.
Matthew 17:20 NIV
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. "
