Sometimes God Skywrites by Steph Beth Nickel

Looking for Direction

Have you ever wanted unmistakably clear direction for your future?

This probably describes all of us, and sometimes God does, indeed, skywrite. This happened in my life shortly before COVID hit.

(These last four months—March-July 2020—have been challenging ones for all of us. Emotions all over the place. Uncertainty. Fear. Confusion. But none of it took God by surprise. I’m convinced that this is one reason He chose to give me such clear direction. He knew I’d need something to hold onto when the world turned upside down.)

Unexpected Direction

When I took on the office administrator job at our church (for the third time) approximately four years ago, I thought being done at 3:00 would give me lots of time to write and edit. But when I came home from the church, I had very little inclination to sit down at my keyboard and get to work. After all, I had put in a full day’s work—at least that’s what my brain thought.

Off and on, I would ask the Lord if He had something else in mind. Give up the writing and editing? Resign as administrator? Somehow figure out how to do both?

One day I was in the A/V room, where you could find me most Sundays. I was working alongside our Associate Pastor, which was unusual since he was typically in Kids Worship. He mentioned that a friend had told him that the administrator position was his wife’s dream job.

Because the pastor knew I was seeking God’s direction for my future, he suggested she speak with me. This was one of those Ah Ha! moments. I hadn’t been asking God to release me from the job. At that time, I wasn’t even thinking about the possibility. These were clear indicators to me that the Lord wanted me to pay attention to what was unfolding.

Surprisingly, Rita came to speak with me after the service. She had a lot of experience that would make her a great candidate for the job. Talk about skywriting!

I discussed it with my hubby and he was all in. (He’s the most supportive, encouraging person I know. So, this was no surprise.)

I left church that day certain of my next steps in a way that rarely happens. In fact, it had been over 35 years since God had skywritten in such a clear way—at least from my perspective.

This month’s topic is “Extraordinary Directions.” And I certainly think these events qualify.

When Direction isn't Clear

While I love it when things are this clear, I know that most of the time life is about doing “the next right thing.”

This saying has become almost cliché, but it’s so rich, so encouraging—especially in these uncertain days.

Often, we only have enough light for the next step, but that’s sufficient when we walk with the One who is the Light.

I’d love to hear about the times God has given you extraordinary directions, either by skywriting or showing you the next step on your journey.

In the Midst of Fear By Vickie Stam

I didn't hear God calling me that day back in 2016. My husband, Tony and I were attending our friend's 50th Anniversary celebration and were about to leave the church fellowship hall when Tony started talking to our friend's son, Dave. 

It's not surprising, Tony is quite the social butterfly and I sometimes think he doesn't like to leave any place until he has mingled with everyone in the room. I sat back down and continued talking with a girlfriend until I noticed that Tony and Dave had finished chatting.

We weren't even out of the parking lot when Tony announced, "Vickie.... we are going on a missions trip to Cuba!" The word, 'we' mortified me. "You are, but I'm not." I said without hesitating. Tony went on to describe what the trip would involve as if he hadn't heard me tell him that I was NOT going. 

Being a farmer, Tony was especially excited about the agriculture in Cuba and the farmers who were looking for help to purchase more land, grow crops and support themselves. The program was designed to help people expand or set up a new business and suddenly Tony had developed a strong desire to support the people in Cuba. I felt blindsided by all of his enthusiasm. 

"God called you to go, not me!" I exclaimed with a different sort of passion. You see, we had been to Cuba on a vacation just a few years before that and the entire time that we were there, I suffered from a painful heat rash and other traveling ailments that come when you travel to a foreign country. I just remember wanting to go home. I remember the afternoons I spent in our rented condo crying for God to make me feel better. How could Tony ask me to go back there? 

Our thirty minute car ride home felt much longer than normal. There was an uncomfortable silence that filled the air between us. Every time I looked over at Tony behind the wheel, I could see the disappointment on his face. I looked away and struggled to hold back the tears. Out of the blue, our once happy day turned bad. We were at an impasse, one that I feared was going to cause us a great deal of pain before it got better. 

When we arrived home, Tony continued to plead with me to go to Cuba. Now I was wondering why God would allow this to happen to me. My fear was turning to anger. I just wanted to go in the other room and hide. By the end of the day, I felt the weight of our conversation still bearing down on me. I sensed the only relief would be to give in, please my husband and God - even though I did not want to. 

A few weeks later, with Tony standing at my side I reluctantly signed all the paperwork and committed to going. It didn't relieve the pressure I felt. I still didn't want to go. In-fact, I felt a higher level of fear come to live with me. 

But once I was there, there was no turning back. I know that God used me in ways that I never would have imagined. The weather was actually cool for Cuba. There were a dozen of us on this trip and everyone else complained about the lack of heat. All the while I was feeling elated inside by God's goodness. "Just ask Vickie to pray for that. She seems to have a direct line to God," the others teased. I laughed because I knew they were all just kidding even if they really were hoping for warmer weather. In that moment, I thanked God and asked for the continued blessing of the cooler temperatures.

And I wasn't alone in my fear. Another woman on the trip had been battling with depression and anxiety for a few years already and also went because her husband wanted her to go - not because she felt God calling her. We immediately gravitated to each other. We became fast allies with more than one purpose in mind. "We can do God's work and support each other on the journey," we whispered to each other so no one would hear us. It didn't take us long to realize that God had put us together.  

I took all of my travel medication, I prayed for good health, for the people traveling with us, for the projects we were going to see and for the government to not witness us being the hands and feet of Jesus because they would be opposed to our mission.

It really was a 'vision trip.' Tony and I were thankful to have the financial means to go on the trip and to contribute to a couple of the micro-finance projects that we visited while we were there. Yes, God me gave the strength and support I needed to go on this trip. 

He opened my eyes to a world I would have otherwise never seen, a world outside of a vacation resort - the real world. A witness to the raw poverty of people with so very little, to a horse collapsing in the middle of the street from pure exhaustion because the owner needed the horse to work, to the injustice of their government against its people when they refused the farmers the feed they needed for their hog operation. And yet - I remember the smiles hugs and love we shared with those people. I truly felt that even in the midst of my fear God used me to do his work.   

A little salt goes a long way by Pamela Mytroen

I don’t see God’s supernatural hand when I’m in the midst of a storm; I see it after the calm. After that wounded day of 9/11 in September of 2001, I had responded by writing an article, which I had taken to our local newspaper. It was rejected. However, I was offered a job as a correspondent, which softened the “blow”. I began writing feature pieces for the paper but I was restless. I desired to share Christ with my community, to point the way to Truth.   

The world’s thinking had shifted as the smoke from 9/11 dissipated into the clouds. Christ was embraced at first as people grieved, but the thunder of suspicion and skepticism towards Christianity began to rock our world. I felt that if I didn’t quickly share truth with people, that our chances might crumble like the twin towers. The editor had assigned me to write human interest pieces and I was not allowed to venture out of that role. How could I write for Jesus in our paper now? 

Previously, the Pastors of our community had written a weekly column in the paper, but over time, as the Pastors moved on and a new editor was hired, that column disappeared. I longed to see God’s Word in print, taking on advertisements and news. I began to pray about it and God began to nudge me to take action.  

God whispers, seldom shouts, but it’s a whisper made of fire that burns deeply. I don’t like to be the one to give feet and action to my dreams, but God believes in us; isn’t that amazing? So He wouldn’t let go. I was and still am fearful about leading. A storm of doubt always rages inside me when I need to talk to people and make something happen, but God’s whisper had shot through me and I needed to obey.  

I could send an email to the newspaper office with my desire to see this column start up again. No, too impersonal. Or I could call. Again, too easy for the editor to say, “no.” I knew I had to go in person, which unsettled my stomach. I approached one pastor and shared my idea. He liked the idea of writing for the paper, but said he was too busy to help me. So I approached another pastor, who was very young, and new in his position. “Yes, of course, I’d be happy to come with you.” I suspected that our inexperience and youth wouldn’t stand a chance against this seasoned, curmudgeonly editor. I’d been told that the new editor was very secular and wanted nothing to do with Christianity in her paper. “She will run you out of her office,” one said. Another said, “She won’t publish anything Christian. I’ve been trying for 3 years.” I really hoped the editor wouldn't be there when we went to see her or that the office would burn down before we arrived. Anything to avoid being chased from her presence. Just before we went to the Times, this young pastor and I bowed our heads and prayed that God would open the hard heart of this editor. 

We were ushered into The Editor's office. She jabbed at her keyboard as we stood before her. She asked what we wanted while she scrolled through her screen, harrumphing and sighing. We sat down. She looked at us over her glasses and I shared how I would like to see this type of column start up again. The young pastor enthusiastically talked about his ideas of writing for the Times. 

I will always remember what happened next. The editor crossed her arms over her chest and stared at us. She said nothing. The silence condemned me – why did I think this had been a good idea? Then, she leaned back in her chair. It was one of those reclining office chairs. She kept her arms folded and continued to stare at me. My perspiring hands slipped on the plastic arms of the chair. Not only would she reject this crazy idea, but she would probably not trust me to write any more feature pieces. Her chair creaked as she leaned forward, preparing to announce her judgment. I uncrossed my legs, and planted my feet, ready to flee from her presence. 

The words she said burned their way into my imagination and seared my doubts to a crisp. “Yes,” she said, picking up her pen. “That is exactly what our paper has been missing.” 

The young pastor, who had believed all along, chatted with her and they began to put plans in place. It would be called, “Pass the Salt” The word count would be 300 and pastors from a variety of denominations in town would take their turn writing every week. About that time I began to breathe again and we left the office together. That was almost 20 years ago.

The salt is still being "passed" every single week. Storms continue to happen since 9/11, but during every one that our nation, province, or community endures, the Word of God is shared by our pastors. Like a rainbow, it arches over the fear and devastation and gives hope and light to our community. 

As I look back I see that although God’s whisper is so gentle, and can be snuffed out, that is how He guides me. He is so wise. He fought the battle in the heart of an editor. He paved the way to transform lives, and all He asked of me was that I take His hand, go along with Him that day, and watch Him do something amazing. We serve an extraordinary God who whispers calm into a storm. 

Extraordinary Direction at a Crossroads by Bob Jones

We were at a crossroads. Our lead pastor informed me, and the rest of our staff that he would be announcing his resignation on the coming Sunday.  He had battled with diminishing health for three years. As his Associate pastor and friend, I prayed he would return to his strong leadership capacity. Suddenly, the horizon looked cloudy.

Early the next morning I settled into my habitual meeting place with God – kneeling, face down in the cushion of a chair in the corner of our living room.  “What should I be doing, Lord?” Immediately, which is unusual timing in my encounters with God, I heard the words, “You will be the next lead pastor.” Though not audible, they were as clear as they were extraordinary.  And surprising.

Our church was considered a “flagship” among the 1,000 plus congregations in our fellowship.   Stellar leadership and high expectations were hallmarks, with four previous lead pastors advancing on to lead the entire Fellowship. When I was invited to join the staff, my role was as an assistant pastor responsible for Children and Missions.  Three years later, I filled those roles as well as being the Associate Pastor.  When the Pastoral Search Team created a list of candidates for the Lead role, my name was not among them. Having no lead pastor experience was not in my favour.

If not for the words God spoke to me, I would have been crushed. But I felt only assurance.  Where there is no faith in the future there is no power in the present.  The clarity of the direction, “You will be the next lead pastor,” gave me peace as the Search Team processed 32 candidates. During the search process, I happily gave interim leadership to the congregation and Board.  When all 32 candidates were either not amenable to the role or not suitable to the Search Team, I wasn’t surprised. 

A few weeks later, the congregation voted me in as their Lead pastor.  That was bold and trusting of them, as I became one of the youngest leaders in the 100-year history of the church.  Reflecting on the experience inspires me with gratitude for the opportunity, and humility for God’s extraordinary direction.

Over the course of the next quarter century of leadership, remembering the corner chair and the still small voice was a source strength and reassurance during challenging days.  I was the right person, in the right place, at the right time.

Extraordinary direction is available for the writing life. God cares personally about you, and invites you to glorify Him through no better way than sharing stories of His guidance. 

“Commit everything you do to the Lord, trust Him and he will help you.” (Psalm 37:5)