Confusion or obedience?

It's hard to tell lately.
I feel like I have taken up residence atop the Tower of Babel, my ears for hearing His voice have gotten so mixed-up so many times.

Had I not gone to church this morning and heard God speak through a man whom I love to call my pastor about obedience and following the Holy Spirit, letting the Holy Spirit work in me, for me, through me - I might be more confused about what happened this evening.

A way out in left field experience for sure.

I got offered a job tonight. A real job offer. For a full-time teaching position. I would have turned back flips to get that same offer in September. Heavens! Last week! The only catch? I know that it's not for me. And as enticing as it was/is on some fronts, it's equally as not-for-me on others. So I will let it go quietly - without the weeping and gnashing of teeth you have come to expect from me... :)

Why? Because God has been working with me - very patiently, I might add. A recurring theme in my days and nights when I seek Him. He gently reminds me (repeatedly) about a thing that would be easiest to forget.

There is another opportunity that has been consistently on the horizon, which will require some real sacrifice on my part - but has the potential to reap eternal benefits for many. I don't have this one in the bag. I could very likely be knocked out in the first round of applicants - but still, when I pray, when I really, really lay it out before God, I have come to believe that this is the direction I am to go.

So the proverbial bird in hand versus two in the bush comes to mind.

The bird in hand looks very nice. But when I hold it with an open hand, it becomes clear that it's merely a ploy to distract me from the things God is trying to show me.

So I will chase after the two in the bush, knowing that this story has already been written and God is waiting for me to read it with Him, in His timing, and on the same page He reads.