Wednesday, February 19, 2014

How to Handle Job Hunting

This is such a huge thing for everyone at some point. As kids we're in school and our parents always asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. We got our training, sometimes we did well, other times we slacked off. We get that high school diploma, then go on to college and or university perhaps, or we go straight to a job of some kind. Our identity seems to be wrapped up at times with what we do - after all when you meet someone for the first time, you ask their name and then... what do you do?

Our answer may be the basis for a friendship, a business contact or whatever. As believers we can get caught up with this and then when we're downsized, laid off, or feel we need to leave a job, we go looking for our next "us," our next job. The thing people remember us by. Pastors can get caught up in "being the pastor" if they're not careful, business people can get caught up with their CEO title, but even the average joe can get caught up in being identified with their job - I'm a teacher, a policeman, a DJ, a secretary, etc...

When all that goes bye-bye, and we are in the searching mode, it can be tough - especially when work just doesn't seem to come no matter how many resumes you put out there. We pray and nothing. When that period of nothing happens, how do we handle it? Do we get bitter? Do we praise God for the opportunity to better ourselves? If we're honest, and I've done this too, we can fall into the trap of getting depressed, angry, bitter, and feeling like you have no identity. 


Think about Job. This guy had 10 kids, and was the most wealthy man in the region - then it was gone, so was his health. His wife told him to curse God and die - just get it over with! His friends accused him of sinning. What did he do? He humbled himself before God and praised Him. Not what we would do right? Yet this is the example God was proud of - the response He seeks when things get tough like losing our source of income. God wasn't surprised. He knows what's going on - this is a season, whether a few days, weeks or months (years?). We need to lift our hands still in the middle of it all which can be hard to do - I know, I've been there.

So when looking for the next meaningful job that will provide and you lose heart, just do what you need to do and let God handle the rest. 

Monday, February 10, 2014

To debate or not to debate... that is the question!

To debate or not to debate... that is the question!

The debate between Dr. Ken Ham of the Institute for Creation Research/Answers In Genesis and Bill Nye "The Science Guy" happened just the other day and there were heated discussions about whether to debate at all, debate about the debate and more. There have also been debates about certain topics from the Bible that even though they're clear - the interpretation of the issue by some is contested. Debate... debate... debate!

Should we debate at all? Let's look at what the apostle Paul said, 2 Timothy 2:23 - 24, 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. and Titus 3:9, But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

So I guess the thing to keep in mind is if we really feel we need to debate at all, be careful. Really decide is it worth debating about, and if so - be civil about it, be loving. Remember, whatever level of judgment we use against someone else, Jesus said it would be used against us in return. So think before we debate I guess is what we should all aim for.