Chasing Numbers

 by Macy Johnson

“But everything should be done

in a fitting and orderly way.”

(1 Corinthians 14:40 NIV)

 

The monthly church payroll journal entry frustrated me. I was not comfortable with the process. A more direct method, in an effort to skip a step, seemed more effective. Yet, I could not get a grasp on where the numbers came from for certain accounts. This struggle kept me up at night.

 

One cold, stormy Saturday I decided to tackle that running back, put my analyzer cap on, and get the new method of entry resolved once and for all. The maze between the numbers changed direction and sent me off on a wild goose chase. “Lord, what are you teaching me?” I asked. My auditor hat pulled down tight over my ears, I waited in silence for God to reveal the answer.

 

And He did. The Holy Spirit called me to take a step back and look at the big picture. I was too distracted by the trees to see the forest. What was the purpose of the process? I returned to the basics.

 

Chasing numbers seems to be my calling. I know God works to make order out of chaos and I am happy to join in the pursuit. Yet, I must learn to wait on His guidance and not try to fix things without Him. He knows the proper order of all processes and will reveal it to me at just the right time, in just the right way.

 

“So I saw that there is nothing better for a man

than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot.

For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?”

(Ecclesiastes 3:22 NIV)

 

I will trust my Lord to lead me on His orderly path with Him today. I hope you will, too!