God's Timing

In the past couple years of my life, I've seen such incredible examples of how important it is to be synced up with God's timing and to go where He calls you. I was a complete mess when in the months leading up to my college graduation last year. I had NO idea where I was going next. It seemed like all my friends had things perfectly planned out: some were beginning grad school, some had great jobs, others were getting married. Me? Oh, I had no idea what was in store for me. 
I had applied to teach English in South Korea but was told that all the spots were filled. I was fine with that. I knew that another opportunity would present itself, but as graduation approached, I found myself only knowing that I was returning back to California with my family.  Three weeks before graduation I got an email asking me if I still wanted to come to Korea. Someone had backed out at the last minute and they wanted me to start teaching that fall.  I was so caught off guard but after prayer and seeking the opinions of friends and family, I had such a peace about accepting the position.
The summer of 2011 was a whirlwind summer. I had to gather documents and send them off to big government agencies where the return time averaged 3-5 months. I didn't have 3-5 months. It seemed as though every document required another document to be submitted and cleared before the next one could be sent off. I played the waiting game and at times was incredibly fearful that I wasn't going to end up going.  God had every single document of mine pull through at the right time. I was able to get every single document certified and submitted as well as get approved for my visa in a matter of three months. Maybe some would attribute that to luck, but I know that God wanted me in Korea and therefore God was going to make a way for me to get here.
When I hit my six month mark here in Korea, I once again got that sense of "What the hay am I going to do when I leave?"  I was contacted about two months ago about a job opening at my university in Idaho. For those of you that don't know me that well, I absolutely LOVED my university. I had such an incredible time there, I feel so incredibly blessed to have been a part of that student body and community.  A job where I'd get to be a part of that community once again was RIGHT up my alley.
The only catch?  I'd have to leave Korea early, meaning I wouldn't fulfill my entire one year contract. I needed to leave one month early in time to be back for the start of the school semester and leadership retreat that happen in late August.  My university offered me some great benefits to take this job, including educational benefits. I'm still paying off my undergraduate education (and will be for a while unless someone wants to give me ten grand...) so the ability to pursue my Master's on someone else's dime is just too perfect.  I had to make a decision quickly. Would I leave Korea early, breaking my contract, but having this great job waiting for me? Or would I stay in Korea, fulfill the contract, but miss out on having a perfect job when I got home? Everyone told me the choice was obvious. "TAKE THE JOB JESS!"
To me, the choice wasn't as obvious. Of course I wanted to take the job. It was perfect. I just felt such guilt about leaving the kids I work with before I was supposed to. But again, after prayer and seeking counsel, the decision was obvious. God had presented me with a great job, one that seems to be perfectly tailored to me, and that's something I just couldn't pass up. 
My employer here in Korea requests that if we are to leave before the end of our contract we provide 90 days notice.  The day I decided to take the job and wrote my letter of resignation happened to be EXACTLY 90 days before I would need to leave.  That was entirely unplanned.

God provided an opportunity for me to come here to Korea where I would learn and experience things far beyond anything I thought possible. He is also providing me a time to leave. It's not an easy way out, it's simply that sometimes (and by sometimes, I mean mostly all of the time) God's timing looks a lot different from ours. 

One thing that I have gleaned from the past couple years is that God will give me direction, not always when I want it or expect it, but it will come. When it does come, I need to go, whether or not it makes sense to me.