I used to work for a company called Ensoniq. We made synthesizers, audio samplers, electric pianos and computer sound cards (Sound-Scape). I worked for them for six years, at the end of which I found myself out of a job. The company was “reorganizing”. During my time there I worked mainly in customer service but did some beta testing on the side for extra money. Beta testing is making sure the prototype of a product does what it’s designed to do.
So after finding out I was no longer gainfully employed I went to the head of the beta testing team and asked if I could test the new product they were working on as a freelancer. When he said yes I was overjoyed and it was understood I would start the following day. Morning came and as I had done for the last six years I got in my car and went to “work”. Nothing seemed out of place until I entered the building.
I went to the area where I was to begin testing and started the routine. I thought that once I started the job, I would settle in and feel right at home. But this was different, it wasn’t the same. People that were still there, people I had worked with for the last six years treated me differently. It’s like I was a stranger!
It seemed as though the relationships I enjoyed for almost a decade, no longer existed! One of the guys I had worked with for most of my time there casually greeted me as he walked through the room, “Hey Steve, what are you doing here?” His question startled me. It reminded me of this movie I saw where this guy went back in time, I don’t remember the title of the movie or the characters name so I’ll call him Charlie.
All his friends were glad to see him, but one of them said “Charlie it’s really good to see you! But what are you doing here?” Charlie was confused by the question. “I’m hang-en out with you guys!, You know, hang-en out together, like we’ve always done! Was Charlie’s reply. “No Charlie”, said his friend, “you don’t belong here any more. Your time here is over, you have to move on”.
As the movie scene in my head faded, I sat there alone in the test room, and realized that Charlie and I had a lot in common. I got the feeling that if you could really travel back in time, this is how it would be. Everything would have a familiarity about it, but it would be empty because that situation or time had fulfilled it’s purpose in your life.
God really spoke to me through this “science fiction” encounter. I wasn’t supposed to be there any more! And my efforts to stay in a situation where God’s provision had dried up would only cause me confusion, financial agony and delay what God wanted to do next in my life.
What happened next?
My unemployment check was very sufficient to live on, I started a band (Mercy Street) and recorded an album, made CD’s and sold most of them.
A local chain of bookstores stocked them and several local radio stations played our music. And the icing on the cake, I met my wife at one of the concerts we did! Mercy Street played together for three years and was a blessing to the members as well as those who bought our CDs and came to our concerts.
When I lost my job God was blessing me! It just didn’t look like it at first.
Let God move your life on. When He shows you that He is closing a door don’t try to keep it open.
Behold, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19 (Niv)
© 2008 Steven Adams
