“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬

This verse is very near to my heart and one of the few I have had success memorizing. Many years ago I was the technical director of a small software company that I helped found. The job was my whole life which is not healthy. After years of devoting everything, all my time and energy and “brain space”, to this job I was really struggling. I was lonely and tired and sick, physically and emotionally. I felt trapped. Quitting was out of the question. I was single and had rent to pay. Plus this career was my identity. Who would I be, what would I do, how would I live if I quit?

I remember praying during lunch one day and this verse came to me. And it came back to me again and again over the next few days. Through this verse God was telling me to quit my job. To trust Him with what’s next.

You may read this verse and wonder how I came to that conclusion. It doesn’t say, “Quit your job.” But at that time in my life, it was as clear as that to me. My job represented “this age” or the “pattern of this world” as some translations put it. In our society, working hard and moving up “the ladder” in your career is the pattern. Earning more money, having power and status, having a cool answer to the “what do you do?” question…. Why would I throw all that away?

Because my job took all my time, I had little time for church or Bible study or prayer. I knew that was a problem, but I was in denial until this verse got stuck in my head. God kept bringing it back to me saying “My will is good, pleasing, and perfect. Trust me.”

I was miserable, but I still couldn’t quit. Then one day I decided I should just kill myself. That would solve everything. God rammed this verse back into my head. So I agreed to quit. If I was still miserable, I could always revisit my plan B.

Well, I still couldn’t quit, but I took a leave of absence. Ha! As soon as I was free of the office though I knew I was never going back. My misery was lifted, and I began to piece a life together. I spent time with God, and I discovered joy and peace. And through a series of astonishing miracles, I even ended up living in a beautiful house rent-free by house-sitting for a couple in my church who had moved overseas.

God has proven Himself faithful to me again and again when I have agreed to take the tiniest reluctant step towards trusting Him. God is worth the risk. His will is good, pleasing, and perfect.

Dear God,

Thank you for reminding me of your faithfulness to me. I know that I can trust you. I don’t know why I forget that and spend time worrying. Forgive me for that. Help me to seek and discern your will in all things.