This past weekend I attended a Young Adult Retreat in Southwest Washington at Lewis River Campgrounds sponsored by the MAYAs group in the
Community of Christ. At the retreat we had some wonderful classes that focused on Discernment. During one of the classes we went through the process of doing some personal discerning. There were two questions posed to us and we were to pick one of them. I chose the question that asked “How can I share my testimony effectively?”. As I started to reflect the following came to me: God will always be there. You will never be alone. Trust. Don’t get bogged down by the word “effectively”. Upon further reflection more came to me: Being “effective” is not important but being true, honest, and compassionate is. You may not have an impact now but they may realize the impact your testimony had on them later on down the road.
During our closing worship on Sunday I shared a shorter version of the following. I don’t believe in coincidences but the the term “God-incidences” is used frequently used on the CyberCongregation. I do believe in God-incidences. This past couple of weeks I have been focusing on the God-incidences in my life this past year. A year ago I quit my job in the payday loan field because I could no longer work for a company that saw the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I then went on a road trip to my church’s World Conference and back. Once back home I thought it would be easy to find a job. Though, it wasn’t as 
easy as I thought. I was trying to find a job that would still allow me to be as active in my church as I was. Then in early June of last year while directing a 3rd and 4th grade camp one of the caretakers at Samish Island Campgrounds asked me if I could cook for a family reunion (i.e. for my readers that do not know, family reunions are these week-long camps in my church where families of a particular jurisdiction get together for a week of worship, fellowship, and fun). The family reunion was only a few weeks away and they desperately needed a cook. I agreed and actually ended up spending 8 weeks last summer volunteering at church camps in various capacities. I realized this was the reason I had not found a job yet. God-incidence #1.
While at these camps a Communications Coordinators position for my mission center (local church jurisdiction. mine includes congregations in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska) became available. I immediately felt like this was another reason I had not found a job yet and considered applying. Several people I know told me that I should apply. When I told one of them that I wasn’t sure they told me, “Sean, don’t you think this is the reason you have not found a job yet. It is as if God made this job available at this time for a reason”. I then had some that didn’t even know I was unemployed tell me that they immediately thought of me when they saw that the position was open. Thus, I decided to apply.
God-incidence #2.
I finished volunteering for the camps and waited for the interviewing process to begin for this position. Though, it kept being put off and still has been put off as of today. Though, these last several months I have realized that despite the financial hardships that being unemployed can bring to you and your family that there was a reason that I have not been working. Though, I have been actively trying to find employment and have applied for so many jobs. I have realized so much about myself throughout all of this. I have spent time discerning, praying, studying, etc. I have spent time serving. I have realized my passions. More importantly I realized that the reason I felt that I was perfect for the Communications Coordinator position was not necessarily because of my computer skills, dedication to the church, etc. but because of my passion for witnessing. I realized that I viewed this as an opportunity to creatively think of ways to communicate the ministries of the Mission Center. Thus, as an opportunity to witness to others through communications. God-incidence #3.
Not long after this realization another job opening in my Mission Center became available. This position was for the Missionary Coordinator position. I had already 
considered applying for it when I found out late last summer that it would become available. A lot of the time I spent in discernment these past several months was actually spent considering whether or not to apply when it became officially available. As soon as it became available I immediately had several people confirm to me that I should apply. In fact, at the end of the retreat a friend told me that because of my comments in the classes throughout the weekend that she realized that I was right for the job. I have applied (already blogged about it here) and the opening closed yesterday. God-incidence #4. The interview process is suppose to take place this month and the position begin on May 1. I feel that I am called to this position. The thought of possibly getting the job truly excites me! We shall see what happens with it. I will keep y’all posted!
Some other God-incidences occurred within a few weeks before the retreat this past weekend. I came to the realization two weeks ago on Sunday morning that I would not be able to go. That I just couldn’t afford it. Then that afternoon while at a meeting planning for a church camp one of the committee members asked me if I could house sit and do yard work for her for 10 days while she went on vacation. I didn’t agree right away but once I did I requested that she pay me some of the money up front so I could afford to go to the retreat. She obliged. God-incidence #5. Then a week ago Saturday my car started giving me problems. Another result of having no job is not having the money to keep my car in good shape. Again, I
made the decision not to go to the retreat as I didn’t feel comfortable driving my car the 3 and half hours down to the retreat and back. Then just two days later a friend asked if I wanted to carpool with her. God-incidence #6. I appreciatively accepted the offer.
The retreat ended up being just the break I needed. I am so used to being on staff at camps that I was looking forward to just being a camper and it was great. We worshiped, took classes, played games, etc. Even had an afternoon jam session and sang songs from the hymnals. I loved that! It was a smaller group but I actually liked that as it helped us connect more. I was able to rekindle old friendships as well as make new ones.
I urge you to praise God for the God-incidences in your life!
The pictures that were throughout this post were taken at the retreat.
