The way God works......

God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform........

- William Cowper

Had an interesting talk with a colleague of mine this week about the way God works.

Now, I was given a word from God almost two years ago concerning 'the hope of my calling'. That basically just means he spoke to me about what he wanted me to do in the future and 'in my interpretation' what I believed he didn't want me to do. Immediately I set off to fulfill that word and I've been riding the rollercoaster ever since.

Since that day in August/September 2010 I've

• Moved to London and back with a suitcase and not a penny to my name
• Been homeless (Go figure)
• At times lived on less than £7 a week
• Signed on and off JSA at least 5 times
• Changed church
• Been a salesman, an events organiser, a barber, a drop in volunteer, a personnel scanner (only one of which was a paying job)
• Jumped on a train to Oxford with a one way ticket, and got back safely (but with a fine)
• Lived with my parents, room surfed, in my own paid accommodation, in non paid accommodation, and in a Christian Community. 

Having just received a clearer understanding on what was meant by 'that word', with exception of me moving to London at the time when I did, I realise not one of the things I listed above needed to happen! I probably even could of moved to London in a better way.

One of the first questions I wondered was 'If God knew I was following the word which he'd given me in a mistaken way, and causing affliction for myself, why didn't he stop me? Why did he just allow me to carry on?

My colleague at work answered me before I'd even asked.
'Maybe God didn't make the word more clear at first because he knew there was something you had to learn through this process'. Maybe she was right.

It's hard to imagine how it is to be homeless unless you've been there, as it is also hard to relate with someone who's been on JSA, been unstable or gone through a variety of jobs unless you've been there too. God humbled me in many ways through this chapter of my life. Maybe I should have more compassion because of the things he's taken me through. Actually I know I should. After all, to identify with us was the reason why Jesus decided to live as he lived.

I was also caused to reach out to others for help because of my predicament. In this time I made major mistakes, had a spiritual breakdown, disobeyed God, got into deeper debt, all of which had recurring effects.

However, I probably would have never got involved with the Jesus Army had all this not happened, I probably would not have been able to chill with a homeless man and listen to what he's going through and relate. I probably would not have known the powerful effects of grace, nor would I have proved God and realised no matter what situation I find myself in, he doesn't leave me without a life line. He looks after his children, though he also lets them go through hardships so they can learn from them.