I had lunch with an old friend today. It was truly great to see him. We talked about many things, including our current career situations. I have known Joe since my days at Xerox. We worked on the same team in the latter part of my tenure there.
I told him I was still unemployed. I lamented the lack of interviews I have had. I mentioned my desire to really try out contracting instead of permanent employment. Ultimately, the conversation turned to my current writing streak.
I expressed to him how much I would love to make my writing the central part of my career, but I wasn't really sure what to write about. He told me I was a really good writer.
Then he said something that really hit me. He told me my writing reminded him of the verse studies he read on the Bible app. He pulled one up, and he had me read it. I couldn't help but think, "I could do this." Joe then said I should write Bible studies.
I immediately doubted myself, but I continued the conversation. I mentioned that doing a Bible study for a book is a fairly large undertaking. In his confident and supportive tone, he said, "Why don't you start with just one verse?"
That one question hit me like a cold gust of wind. It's so simple. Yet, it had never even entered my mind. I don't need to write a study for an entire book; I can start with a single verse.
The verse he showed me during this conversation is 2 Thessalonians 3:3
“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” (2Th 3:3, ESV)
The Lord is faithful. In other words, God keeps His promises. He is trustworthy and will never fail to be faithful to those who love Him and follow Him.
God will also establish you. The Greek word establish means "to turn resolutely in a certain direction." The Lord will be with you, guiding you. That word can also mean "strengthen." God will strengthen those who love Him.
Finally, the Lord will guard you against evil. He will be on guard for you and help you avoid evil. In Greek, this evil refers to keeping one from wickedness. This does not necessarily mean nothing evil will happen to you, but it could refer to keeping you from being wicked or evil.
God is our faithful protector. When we submit to Him and His will, He promises to be with us through all our trials. He promises to protect us from evil and strengthen us to act according to His will and His commandments.
If we love God with all we are, God has our back. Today, God had my back by reminding me, through my friend, that as long as I keep my focus on God, He will show up when He needs to, to guide my path and keep me from evil.
Thank you, Lord, for reminding me who You are.
—Daniel