Have You Ever Wondered WHY?
By Dwight Hanger
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
1 Peter 5:6
“Do not be like them, for your father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Matthew 6:8
“Dwight, you should apply!”
My girlfriend, Vicki, prodded me to apply to an MBA program at UCLA. At the time, I was working as an aerospace rocket engineer at McDonnell Douglas. I’d need to earn my graduate degree at night while continuing to work full-time during the day. I was also concerned that I didn’t have the grades required for acceptance.
“Dwight, you should apply!”
Thank goodness for Vicki’s prodding. I got in and completed my MBA with the added benefit of McDonnell Douglas paying my tuition for two and a half years. This led to an offer of a position on the president’s staff, which would be the perfect launch pad for using my newly earned MBA in a project management position.
But wait. My section chief said, “No. You can’t take the job.”
I went to his boss. He said, “No. You can’t take the job.”
I went back to my section chief. “Will you release me to take the promotion in one year?”
“No.”
“Will you release me to take the promotion in two years?”
“No.”
It became clear that the company wasn’t good for me in the long term, and that I should leave the aerospace industry, but what should I do?
I was saved during college at a Campus Crusade Bible Study with Hal Lindsey. Although my church attendance was infrequent at that time, I felt comfortable with my salvation. Vicki, who was now my wife, and I prayed about our future.
I was offered a consulting job with a Big 8 CPA firm in Dayton, Ohio. In hindsight, I believe God led us to the job, but before I said, “Yes,” I turned down the job offer not once, but twice! God was patient with us! In the end, we thought Ohio couldn’t be that bad since that’s where my grandparents were from originally. Even though we’d be leaving all of our So Cal family, I made promises to Vicki. “We will only be in Ohio for a maximum of five years.”
Unbeknownst to me, my grandmother called a relative in Ohio, who called a church in Dayton to tell them about these Californians who moved to Dayton. A nice couple knocked on our door and invited us to their church. After several visits and multiple invitations, we accepted. Vicki and I attended and began our journey to becoming “real Christians.” We went forward to profess our commitment to Jesus, were baptized by immersion, and began serious bible study.
Our sanctification really began in this small church in Dayton. Praise God for taking us to Ohio.
Does your father not know what is best for you?
My girlfriend, Vicki, prodded me to apply to an MBA program at UCLA. At the time, I was working as an aerospace rocket engineer at McDonnell Douglas. I’d need to earn my graduate degree at night while continuing to work full-time during the day. I was also concerned that I didn’t have the grades required for acceptance.
“Dwight, you should apply!”
Thank goodness for Vicki’s prodding. I got in and completed my MBA with the added benefit of McDonnell Douglas paying my tuition for two and a half years. This led to an offer of a position on the president’s staff, which would be the perfect launch pad for using my newly earned MBA in a project management position.
But wait. My section chief said, “No. You can’t take the job.”
I went to his boss. He said, “No. You can’t take the job.”
I went back to my section chief. “Will you release me to take the promotion in one year?”
“No.”
“Will you release me to take the promotion in two years?”
“No.”
It became clear that the company wasn’t good for me in the long term, and that I should leave the aerospace industry, but what should I do?
I was saved during college at a Campus Crusade Bible Study with Hal Lindsey. Although my church attendance was infrequent at that time, I felt comfortable with my salvation. Vicki, who was now my wife, and I prayed about our future.
I was offered a consulting job with a Big 8 CPA firm in Dayton, Ohio. In hindsight, I believe God led us to the job, but before I said, “Yes,” I turned down the job offer not once, but twice! God was patient with us! In the end, we thought Ohio couldn’t be that bad since that’s where my grandparents were from originally. Even though we’d be leaving all of our So Cal family, I made promises to Vicki. “We will only be in Ohio for a maximum of five years.”
Unbeknownst to me, my grandmother called a relative in Ohio, who called a church in Dayton to tell them about these Californians who moved to Dayton. A nice couple knocked on our door and invited us to their church. After several visits and multiple invitations, we accepted. Vicki and I attended and began our journey to becoming “real Christians.” We went forward to profess our commitment to Jesus, were baptized by immersion, and began serious bible study.
Our sanctification really began in this small church in Dayton. Praise God for taking us to Ohio.
Does your father not know what is best for you?
“Do not be like them, for your father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8)
After five years in Dayton, I tried to return to So Cal several times, and for good reasons. My parents had health issues, and I remembered my promise to Vicki. However, God knew that I was not professionally experienced enough to move yet. He had other plans for us.
After three more years, God answered our prayers with a perfect job with my company in Los Angeles, which led to becoming a partner with Ernst & Ernst one year earlier than normal.
Everything in God’s perfect time.
After three more years, God answered our prayers with a perfect job with my company in Los Angeles, which led to becoming a partner with Ernst & Ernst one year earlier than normal.
Everything in God’s perfect time.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6)
Looking back, even though I am a planner and self-motivated to execute, I know God took us to Ohio to learn how to live as Christians, not for the job. I have learned to listen to God’s answers. No. Yes. Not now. I’ve learned to be patient because he knows what is best for me.
Reflective Question for the Day
Are you waiting for God to answer your prayer or to give you direction?
Is he giving you the answer, but for some reason, you're resisting His direction?
Dwight Hanger enjoys Christmas morning at his son's family home. His daughter-in-law, Jeannine, prepares a wonderful breakfast, and then the family opens gifts. His most memorable Christmas gift was his first used bike, painted by his father. He loves to ski, scuba dive, fish, attend sporting events, and invest in stocks.