God is Constant Regardless of the Change Around Us

It seems timely, (all be it a few days late) that at the start of 2012, I should be talking about change, new hope, and opportunities that will avail themselves in the New Year. Instead, I want to reflect upon how constant and stable God is. Contrary to some popular thought, God is constant, God never changes; God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. God is the one thing you can count on that won’t change. In fact, Malachi 3:6 begins with, “I the Lord do not change.”

When you think about it, people, in general are very difficult to change even though we are surrounded by change. Eventually people can change their thoughts, behavior, look, lifestyle, career, perspectives…but by instinct, many people resist change. I think it comes from an aspect of being comfortable, and until things start getting uncomfortable we don’t see a need to change. You’ve heard the phrase, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Typically it’s stated when people are considering making changes to something, either a system, process, policy, or something else.

There’s a comfort and a peace in knowing that God can by our rock (our mountain if you will). Psalm 18:2, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”  It’s nice to know that in the midst of a career change, life change, economic change, health status change, climate change, global change, political change, etc. that God remains constant. God is the one absolute that truly doesn’t change and the fact that I can rely on a stability of that magnitude completely blows my mind. Everything around us can appear to be in turmoil, changing, and even spinning out of control. Yet, God is stable, constant, and never changing. He’s that rock to which I constantly cling. Even when I feel like I’m standing on the edge of a tiny cliff, God is my never changing fortress to which I cling.

The beauty of it all is that throughout all of this, God is constantly changing us, molding us, shaping us, like clay in the hands of the potter. “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Is. 64:8) The irony here is that the One who never changes is constantly changing us; not on a whim or of fickle mindedness, but out of a desire to bring us closer to Him. Picture a potter creating a bowl or vase at his wheel. He is deliberate, slow; precise. There’s a simplistic beauty in the process as you watch a simple piece of clay take shape. (Here’s a you tube video that you can watch http://tinyurl.com/7w9g9kr ) The potter is deliberate, nothing here really happens by accident, he knows exactly how he must use his hands to change the clay and form it into a vase.

We know the clay doesn’t have emotional feelings or nerve endings, so it can’t feel pain, but imagine the cries you would hear if it could. I’m sure that clay was perfectly happy just laying around as sediment somewhere. It didn’t ask to be made into a pot. It wasn’t broken and didn’t need fixing, but someone had the mindset that this sediment contained the perfect properties for turning it into a vase, and dug it up. No doubt, the clay would be screaming out in agony, saying, “No, this can’t be. I don’t want to be made into a pot. It hurts!” as it is pulled out of the ground. However, we all know that without the act of pulling the clay out of the ground, no beautiful piece of pottery, including some of the most magnificent in the world, could have been produced.

Change can be painful; there’s a learning process, a molding process, a refining process, and sometimes yes, even a trial by fire. But in the end, when we know God is in control, and the One who never changes, is the One affecting change in us, it’s ultimately a good thing.

So what is in God’s plan for you this year, or maybe I should ask, How is God in your plans for this year? Rather than resisting the change this year, embrace it and look upon the Lord to see how He will shape the events that take place. Change, doesn’t come easy, and at times, such as a job loss or even personal loss, the change is forced upon us and we may even resent it. So here’s to whatever change comes to you in 2012. Embrace it, laugh at it, cry at it if you must, and enjoy watching God turn a little lump of clay into a masterpiece.

If you’re seeking a career change in your life this year, feel free to reach out to me. After all, I’ve seen God to amazing things in peoples’ lives as a result of career change. We can start with some career exploration and coaching, and then move into the résumé development when ready. Contact me at resume@chesres.com 

 

COINCIDENCE VS. PROVIDENCE

I’ve noticed that people view daily events and their career paths in two different ways. Some people think that when things happen and everything adds up right, it’s just a coincidence. Other people think and believe that there’s an ultimate Power that directs things to happen and the things that occur in life are willed by providence. Both Christians and non-Christians believe this and it’s a discussion, which on deep theological terms, has even divided the church. I’m going to try to keep this relatively simple because I’ll never win any theological debate, nor do I even care to try.

 So I’m going to start with as generic of a resource I can possibly think of for analyzing these two words, dictionary.com. 

 Coincidence is defined as, “a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time, apparently by mere chance.”

 Providence is defined as,

1.  “The foreseeing care and guidance of God or nature over the creatures of the earth.
2. God, especially when conceived as omnisciently directing the universe and the affairs of humankind with wise benevolence.

 By these definitions, COINCIDENCE just sounds like another word for LUCK; a mere chance happening, where we refer to these chance happenings as both good luck and bad luck.

The definition of PROVIDENCE definitely rings more true that there’s a hand of God concept guiding, directing, and aligning all of the events that take place in the universe. Regardless of your belief system or religion, if you believe in a Higher Being, Ultimate Creator, or God, there is an aspect of providence indicating that there are planned events that will occur in our lives.

 My point in relating this word analysis in terms of your career from a faith point of view is that there are no chance encounters, lucky or unlucky draws, or accidents. I hope that you find comfort in the thought and belief that there is a loving God looking over you and making things line up in a way that will ultimately make things work out for good in the long run. I want you to realize that God is in total control of what is happening in your career and things will happen in His time. 

 Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This verse appears in a letter to the surviving nation of Israel who had been exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon. Jeremiah wrote this letter in a very dark time and to a people who were in a dark and hopeless place. The nation of Israel had been exiled and disbursed and it would be 70 years before any of the remaining exiles would return to Jerusalem. I don’t think this is a case where the Israelites were just “unlucky” nor did this happen by coincidence. As unfortunate as it was, these events were “omnisciently directed” through God’s guidance.

 My goal isn’t to dwell on the negative here, but to help put this into perspective in terms of your career circumstances. When thinking of this whole story and the entire 29^th chapter of Jeremiah, this passage represents more than just job loss and career change; this passage is about life change and world view change. It’s about everything that a nation and culture had known and suddenly being gone. Your job loss doesn’t begin to compare to the misery that the Exiles felt. The comfort felt in verse 11 is that even in the midst of the horrible events that a nation had experienced, God is providing a sense of hope and a promise of restoration, in a place where He is in total control.

 I realize that the book of Jeremiah and the story of the prophet’s life, doesn’t offer much hope, but this one verse does. Knowing that the people of Jerusalem were living in dark and lonely days, God sent a message of hope and comfort to His people through Jeremiah. Jeremiah had been sharing words of doom and destruction, but here, he offers hope to God’s people.

What I hope that you can gain from this is that it’s not just by some stroke of luck or un-luck that you find yourself looking for a new job or considering a career change at this point in your life and in a sluggish economy. It’s not just by some random event that you stumbled upon this blog about job search and dealing with its challenges from a Christian perspective. It’s about God putting His plan in place and “omnisciently directing the universe and the affairs of humankind.”

 You see, my idea and goal is to help people move from a place of inactivity in their career or job search to a place of satisfaction and reward in their career. In order for that to happen, events have to happen, people have to meet, information must be shared between the right people, action must take place, and decisions have to be made. The most amazing part of this whole Providential idea is that the same God who stands above over creation, and who spoke the universe into existence, is looking down on you and me, and carefully, strategically ordering such small events to take place so that He can give you hope and a future.

 “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”  Proverbs 16:9

 

 

 

 

Be Strong and Courageous

“Be strong and courageous.” It’s interesting to me that these words were spoken to Joshua four times as he encountered a time of great transition. The Israelites had been wandering for 40 years and they were standing at the edge of the Promised Land. Moses had just died and it was now Joshua’s turn to lead. It’s obvious that Joshua wasn’t exactly quite sure what to expect (short of bloodshed) and he undoubtedly was terrified. He had now been essentially “promoted” and all eyes were upon him.

Transition can be scary, exhilarating, and empowering all at the same time. None the less, it’s typically the fear of the unknown that will stop us dead in our tracks and it’s easy to start thinking about all kinds of “what if” scenarios. I can only imagine some of the “what if’s” Joshua was thinking. What if…my people won’t follow me; we are defeated; my people rebel; we aren’t strong enough, etc…? All of these what if’s are voices of self-defeat.

God must have anticipated Joshua thinking these self-defeating thoughts because the message is overwhelmingly repetitive. The overwhelming redundancy in chapter 1 of Joshua is “to be strong and courageous” and “The Lord your God will be with you.” Four times, Joshua hears, “be strong and courageous,” and three times he hears, “The Lord your God will be with you.” God emphatically states in verse 9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” NIV

How many times has that voice of self-defeat, fear, or doubt stopped you from really grasping God’s plan for your life? It seems logical that in terms of a career path that one should choose to follow the path of least resistance, right? But what if you really feel the need to transition into a place of the unknown out of a sense of calling, duty, or a desire to be fulfilled in your work? How many times have you walked to the edge of the Promised Land and said, “No thanks, Lord, I’d rather go back into the desert,” simply because it’s easier, feels safer, or appears to be more logical?

Very few people are really willing to lay it all on the line and take that bold step. I’ve seen so many people miss the promise and retreat simply because it was too scary. It truly is a step of faith. It sounds so easy, but it is so hard. Even when God is saying to us, “I, the Lord your God will be with you” that voice of sabotage is whispering to us, “what if…” God says to us, “Be strong and courageous” because He knows he is asking us to do something that may require something we’ve never had to do.  We may have to chart a new course, blaze a new trail, clear a new path, (insert cliché here); or perhaps we just may have to trust.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul reminds us how God can turn our weaknesses into strength, by the power of His grace. An example of this happening in my own life was when I left full-time church ministry and found myself working in a non-profit career center, in January of 2000. I knew nothing about the careers industry, very little about writing résumés, and really was in no position to advise anyone of their career path. As irony would have it, I was still trying to figure out my own.  None of the success I’ve seen at this point in my career, eleven and a half years later, would have evolved without God standing beside me and strengthening me in the field of résumé writing and career coaching. It is truly only because of His grace and His leading me into the careers industry that I have been so richly blessed. I literally left the only career which I had known; the only field in which I had been educated, and said, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.”  (Apologies to the original song writer, I’ve heard the phrase in multiple songs) My weakness has become my strength only because of God’s grace and blessing.

I know that having to step forward in faith is very scary. I’ve been there, a few times. I’m the kind of person who likes to make plans, have an agenda, and then also have a backup plan. On the occasions when God has called me to step forward in faith and totally trust Him, I’ve literally had to cast all of my own plans aside, forget about making any backup plans, and just say, “Ok Lord, I guess I’ll let you have the driver’s seat.”  What followed has been God taking me down roads I never would have thought to explore on my own. God’s detours are actually pretty cool because He knows how to get to all of the little unusual places where you encounter the most interesting people, places, and blessings. It’s kind of like taking a road trip and actually stopping at all of those little out of the way places where you’ve always wanted to stop, but never do because it’s too far out of the way from your scheduled destination. God will take you to those places and beyond if you just let Him; and more importantly He’ll do it on His schedule.

As you’re contemplating a career change or perhaps business transition, remember God’s words to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV)

Blessings to you, and thank you for reading. If you’d like more information please feel free to send me an e-mail at resume@chesres.com, subscribe to this blog, and check out the services and information page on this site. If you’ve been blessed by this, please share it with a friend.

 

Perfection is over rated

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that perfection is over rated. It’s one thing to consistently strive to be the best at something and to stretch ourselves professionally, but perfection; it’s just not possible. If you’re a mom, you probably realized a long time ago, perfection is not possible because you’re always going to have a child (no matter how young or old) reminding you of how imperfect you truly are. So moms, embrace your lack of perfection and do what we tell our kids every day, “Just do your best.”

Lately, I’ve been dealing with the reality of my own imperfections as a person, a Christian, a business owner, a professional, a musician, a friend, a wife, etc. I can certainly resolve to strive to be better, put plans in place to overcome obstacles, and improve upon my faults; but the reality is that at some point, it’s not going to be perfect. Therefore, it truly amazes me as to how and why employers are always putting together the perfect job description. Employers create these job announcements that basically say, we want everything plus the kitchen sink. But you know what’s attached to that kitchen sink? There’s a garbage disposal (mine’s currently broken) full of leftover scraps and there’s most likely gunk and hair stuck in the pipes. As Christians in the marketplace, we’ve got to realize that the kitchen sink (and what’s attached to it) may not always include our best. It could include a bunch of leftover scraps too.

So how do we deal with the reality of our imperfection? I’ve already failed the command Jesus gives in Matthew 5:48, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Talk about a verse that really kicks me when I’m down…that would be one. God knows we’re not perfect, yet He places such a high standard for his children that failure really seems like the indescribable polar opposite of perfect. Perfect to me is, clean, crisp, precise, polished, and without any flaw. Anything less just isn’t good enough and comes up short.

So what does this have to do with work, careers, job search, or career management? Basically, I’m just trying to say that you’re not going to find that perfect job, and in many cases your best on a project may never be perfect. I think it’s in these situations, when we’re constantly faced with our imperfections, that we really have to look to others and say, “well, I’m a work in progress.” At the same time we have to turn to God and say, “Thank You for your grace and patience” without whispering “Can you hurry this process up a bit?”

What we have to consider in the marketplace, is that just as God rewards our pursuit of perfection, good employers will reward our pursuit to be the best. Have you ever received a bonus for good performance, a day off as “comp” time, a trip, an award, etc? Usually that’s the immediate and earthly feedback we get. Our Heavenly feedback may have to wait awhile, and we can only rest in the comfort of God’s grace that we will receive His promised reward. We don’t deserve it one bit, but we have to believe it will come. In the mean time, what God DOES require of us to rely on Him. Psalm 18:30-34 states, “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” (NIV)

That passage is full of a promise of empowerment! Verse 32, “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect,” I love that. I can’t be perfect, but God can make my way perfect. So if you’re in a job search, or trying to improve your career path, remember to make God part of that plan. He can’t make you perfect, but it’s possible, that he can create the path that leads you to that job that is a near perfect fit. He could surround you with colleagues and/or a supervisor that helps to create that near perfect team. The way I see it, our earthly best is about as darn near close to perfect as I’m going to get. I can just hear God saying, “Do your best…and I’ll take care of the rest.” And as God takes care of the rest; you should rest in his perfect plan.

 

Yo-Yo Faith, part 2

My business coach asked me a while back, what would a bold move look like? Rarely am I ever speechless, but her question left me a little speechless, which for most people is speechless. (Joke, LOL) Ultimately what I came up with was to trust God completely with all my heart, soul, and mind. Not only is it bold; it’s hard. Trusting and placing your faith, life, career, and every decision you may make into the hands of a God which we don’t see seems hard. On the other hand, placing every aspect of my life into an omniscient, omnipresent, and omnificent God should be pretty easy. See, it’s the head vs. heart thing again; the yo-yo. Faith comes up, faith goes down.

So ultimately I ask, when it comes down to it, who are you going to trust more, you or God? Knowing that I’m the screw-up, the sinner, the human who is NOT omniscient, omnipresent, and omnificent, I think I’ll trust God and place my faith and confidence in Him. It’s easy when you think of it that way.

Who is bigger, you or God? Perhaps I can put it another way. If you’re about to cross a one lane bridge in a small economy car and you see a double tractor trailer approaching the bridge from the other side, which vehicle do you want to go first? Personally, I’m going to yield to the bigger vehicle.

Yielding…Wow, what a concept. It’s obvious today that most drivers don’t understand the concept and ignore the road signs that say yield. When I think of the word “yield” I think of giving way, literally, I let someone or something else go first. According to Webster’s Dictionary, the word yield means, “to give or render as fitting, rightfully owed, or required.” That’s just one of several meanings, but isn’t that what God calls us to do? He requires us to follow him and yield to Him. God has the right-of-way. There are several times throughout scripture where Jesus commands us to “follow” Him. But, before we can follow Him, we first have to yield. We have to yield and let HIM go ahead of us.

In reality what happens is that we’ll yield to God but we’re still trying to drive our own cars. Have you ever been driving in a caravan and at various points pass other cars in the caravan and wave at your friends? That’s kind of what happens here, we’re trying to drive our own cars and, initially, let God take the lead. Then when we need to change things up a bit, we’ll drive up alongside Him, wave, maybe even honk the horn to make sure He sees us, and then zoom in front.

Why do we feel the need to get in front of God? Maybe because faith is like that yo-yo…faith goes up, faith goes down. Why do we even feel the need to be sitting in the driver’s seat? Doesn’t God know where HE wants to take us? Doesn’t God know how to get us there? It may seem like God doesn’t always take us on the most direct route, but He knows exactly what He is doing. God doesn’t only command us to let Him take the driver’s seat, He tells us not to be back seat drivers either.

Can you imagine yourself, sitting in the back of your car with God driving and saying, “Ok, Lord, if you could just take a left up here, I’d appreciate it.” It’s funny, but it’s exactly what we do. Even when we’re letting God have control, typically we’re still trying to tell Him how to make it happen. Is it because we lack trust; lack faith? Faith goes up, faith goes down. Honestly, I think it’s just the reality of not knowing; not understanding.

In bible studies we often comment about how clueless the Disciples often seemed. I mean, they had Jesus, the Lord, standing right in front of them and they still didn’t get it. Let’s fast forward 2000+ years. We have Jesus standing right in front of us too. For crying out loud, we have The Book…and we still don’t get it. Faith is still what we all struggle with. Trusting God, even when He has proven time and time again, what He will do and can do. How much more do we need? What is there left for Him to do, raise the dead? Oh, right, He already did that…multiple times. In fact, He raised Himself from the dead!

What mountain is standing in the way of your faith? Matthew 17:20 states, “…if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

You know one thing about a yo-yo…it’s a toy that the person who is using it controls. We make the yo-yo go up and down and some even do tricks with it. God doesn’t do tricks with us. We’re not this sphere attached to a string that just goes up and down. We’re His children and HE loves us like no other. Have faith; say to that mountain, “move”…nothing will be impossible for you. God promises us that.

If you’re struggling with career decisions and are looking for someone who can help, please feel free to contact me through http://www.chesres.com/Chesapeake Resume Writing Service.

Yo-Yo Faith

Heb. 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Faith is one of those things I always wish I could have more of. It’s one of those head vs. heart things and typically has to do with something called trust. Today I thought of a new phrase, yo-yo faith; up and down. Many times, I really wish my actions of faith matched my words; but in reality, my faith is like a yo-yo.

So why is faith such a huge challenge for Christians? Why is faith and/or trust something with which we constantly struggle? When we’re facing a huge decision, especially related to a career path, why do we struggle so much? For me, maybe it’s not so much that I doubt God…I doubt myself. I doubt my instincts, I doubt what feels right, and ultimately, I end up doubting God. What’s interesting in that sentence is my use of the subject, “I”. I’m the one who doubts.

God has repeatedly shown his mercy, love, grace, kindness, forgiveness, provision, and faithfulness. The funny thing is he never doubts that I’m going to screw things up; He knows I’m going to screw things up! (That’s a bit of a joke by the way, LOL) Yet, He is ever patient and still says, “You are my child.” But, here comes the yo-yo. Faith comes up, faith goes down.

Now, I was never a huge tree climber as a child, but I do remember one gigantic Magnolia tree that I enjoyed climbing at my grandmother’s house. I could get very high very quickly and I was always ok until the branches started getting thinner. It didn’t really bother me too much until I started hearing little cracking noises and the branches just weren’t sturdy enough to support my entire weight. As I think back to those climbs, I realize, I was never scared until I looked down. I would typically look down and think, “Wow, this is really high.” Then I’d look around and realize I was even with or above the roof on her house. Once I took my eyes off of what was directly in front of me, fear would set in and I would doubt. Coming down wasn’t as much fun as going up. I remember there were some times that I was literally shaking coming down because the fear of falling was so strong.

What was the difference? What set in? Remember, it wasn’t scary until I got to a point that I didn’t think I could go any further and stopped. My focus suddenly changed from going up to coming down and suddenly it became harder. Sometimes, that’s what my faith seems like. As long as my focus is on God, things seem to go fairly smoothly, sometimes effortlessly. Once I change focus and start looking at how far I’ve gone or high I’ve climbed, and the branches appear thinner, I want to start thinking of ways to come back down. Sometimes going back to where I started just seems like a more logical decision. “You can’t keep climbing,” my brain says, “you’ll fall, those branches won’t support you.” Yo-yo…faith goes up, faith goes down. When climbing a tree, certainly that may be true, but God always provides a safe place to step off or jump to.

My point here is that we don’t realize how far God takes us until we take our eyes off of Him. When we’re trusting and placing our faith and confidence in Him, the climb seems easy and nearly effortless. Once we stop and look down from the perch we think, “oh no, look how high I climbed,” and we freeze. We want to go back down where it seems safer, and less challenging. Faith comes up, faith goes down. Instead of looking for a way to get down, look for a way to step out. Perhaps it’s a leap of faith, not a small step. A leap takes more energy; it’s a bigger risk than a little step.

Once we start thinking and believing that we made it happen, we separate ourselves from the One who made it happen. We cannot live separately from God, no matter how hard we try. When we take our eyes off of God it gets scary because doubt, fear, panic, and terror set in. “I’ve never been this high,” “I’ve never gone this far”, “I’ve never…” Nope, you have never…apart from God.

Verse six in that same chapter of Hebrews states, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” What a promise…He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. How can you please God in your career? Seek Him today, earnestly seek Him and He will reward you. That doesn’t necessarily mean He’ll give you the job/career path that you want; but it means He will bless you in the job/career path that He creates for you. Climb high, keep looking up, and have faith that God will reward you as you earnestly seek Him in the marketplace.

If you are seeking a professional who can help you make those big career decisions that you may be facing, please feel free to contact me through www.chesres.com Chesapeake Resume Writing Service.

Don’t Worry Matthew 6:25-34

Mat. 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Every emotion we deal with is addressed in the Bible; joy, love, anger, anxiety, fear…etc. They’re all there; and even in Matthew chapter 6, Jesus addresses our anxieties by telling us, “not to worry.”

When people are in career transition whether of their own choosing or not, anxiety sets in and worry takes over. This passage is one that I’ve often turned to in times of transition and it always brings me comfort. This passage is an assurance of God’s goodness and grace. It’s an assurance of His love and how over the top God really is. Vs. 28-30 “And why do you worry about your clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith.” I just have to laugh because it’s like Jesus is saying, “duh, look around. God made this with little effort. Give Him a little credit because He loves you way more than a bunch of wild flowers and He’ll take care of everything you need like food, water, clothing, and way more.”

I know from personal experience that even in very lean financial times, I’ve never been without the basics and have often had way more than just the basics. Somehow enough money was always there to buy food, clothing, pay the mortgage, put gas in the car, and more.

One job seeker I worked with was unemployed for over a year before she came to me. She did exactly what the passage says to do in verse 33, “but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The whole time she was unemployed she continued on in her faith, even tithing. One day when walking along the side of the road, she found a $10.00 bill. I knew a family growing up who didn’t have much money at all, but truly lived to serve the Lord. One day, a lady who barely knew her paid for her groceries. She didn’t ask for the lady to pay for her groceries and she could have paid for them, but God provided for her…because He is faithful and good. God is always faithful to those who seek Him. One thing to remember, He doesn’t promise us it will be easy, but He does say, no need to worry because I will provide.

So what does this have to do with the time and place you’re in now? Well, if it’s one of career transition I’m going to say what Jesus said, “don’t worry.” Statistics will show during good financial times and bad financial times, jobs are always available. It may not be the exact one you want to make a career of, but the jobs are there for one who is willing to work. I’ve worked with many career changers who found themselves on a completely different career track than where they intended, but found that they were blessed, and in many ways had more than they did before. When I left a full-time career in Christian ministry, I had no clue what I was going to do. A month later I found myself working in a non-profit career center making more money than I had made at any other point in my career and realized that I had a greater ministry opportunity outside of the church than I ever did inside the church. The one thing I did right was I just prayed, “Lord, you’ve got to do this for me.”

When I left that position nearly five years later and started Chesapeake Resume Writing Service, again I prayed, “Lord, you’ve got to do this for me.” There are two words that I think need to be added to verse 33 and the words are “And More.” Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you (AND More) as well.” The passage ends with, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” God isn’t saying, kick back and relax; he’s saying, guess what, there’s going to be more junk thrown your way tomorrow so don’t even trouble yourself with it because I’ve got it covered.

So are you feeling stuck, like you’re in irons…dead in the water and unable to go anywhere? Don’t worry because God is already turning the boat for you and will provide everything you need, And More.

Feeling stuck in your career? Contact me through my web site , Chesapeake Resume Writing Service.

The Master’s Hand

There was a song that I used to listen to from a Christian singer named Wayne Watson. I’m showing my age a bit by saying he was popular among certain circles in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. The song is “Touch of the Master’s Hand” and is about an old violin left at an auction house. The violin has seen better days and is old, battered, scarred, and dusty. The bidding starts at $1.00. An elderly man from the back of the room comes forward, takes the violin, and plays a beautiful melody. He hands the violin back to the auctioneer and he starts the bidding back up again, except this time, it starts at $1000. The crowd cries out, what made the change, and the auctioneer replies, “it was the touch of the Master’s hand.”

I know that job seekers experience multiple peaks, valleys and plateaus during a job search. At times, it may seem as though you’re just up on an auction block waiting to be snatched up by the lowest bidder, much like the battered and scared violin referred to in the song. At other times, it may feel as though you’re in control of the auction, calling out prices and being stuck in the middle of a bidding war. Regardless of the scenario, the feelings can be quite different; and yet the same. They’re the same in that either way, there’s an emotional and psychological conversation that you are having with yourself. They’re different in terms of the value that you may feel is placed upon your head and what you feel you can demand in terms of salary and benefits.

When you’re in the midst of a bidding war, you may feel good because you know that there are multiple companies that see your value. You may also feel like a commodity that can be bought or traded. In those situations, it’s important to look at the big picture and figure out where you will best fit. Determine your values and ask yourself several questions like:
Which company will allow you to live the lifestyle that you desire?
Which position will be the most exciting for you in the short-term and long term?
Which company will allow you to sleep the best at night?
Which company will you feel better about working for at the end of the day? Company “A” or Company “B”.

More importantly beyond where you as a career professional is where and who you are in life. What is it that you value most about yourself and what is it that others most value in you? The song “Touch of the Master’s Hand” isn’t about job search by any means. On a fairly deep philosophical level, it’s about what we can achieve in our lives when we allow the “Master” or God to be in control of it. God doesn’t see us as some commodity that can be auctioned off or bought. Nor does he see us as some busted up fiddle that he can play or ignore any time He chooses. God sees us as His children, and He values and loves His children beyond anything that we can comprehend. We have nothing on earth to compare to God’s love.

Today, you need to know that you have value. Christ bought you with the biggest price he could pay; His life. God is bigger than any job, any career, or anything on earth that you could possibly have or lose. God knows your value; He paid it…with His son’s life.

I’m here today to remind you, that you do have value, and the right employer will realize that. I had to remind a job seeker, just this morning, that job search is a marathon; not a sprint. In the song, once someone who knows how to play this violin, the “master” stands up, he makes this violin sing. He produced such a beautiful sound that the value of the violin jumped from just one to three dollars to one to three thousand dollars. When we allow the “Master” to be in control, we surprise others, even ourselves, and our value jumps exponentially. Stay encouraged in your job search.

If you’re seeing career coaching and/or resume writing assistance, please follow the link to Chesapeake Resume Writing Service

I desperately tried to post a video of the song, but failed even when using two different browsers. Apparently, I’m supposed to pay for a video upgrade; sorry, not today. It’s on You Tube and if you search “Touch of the Master’s Hand” look for the video of a guy with long hair playing the guitar and singing the song. It’s Wayne Watson singing an acoustic version and is very nice. Sorry that I couldn’t overcome the technical glitch.

Ask, Seek, Knock

My favorite line/scene from the movie the Sound of Music is when Maria leaves the Abby and says, “When God closes a door, he somehow opens a window.” Most everyone in any faith can relate to having a door slammed in one’s face either literally or figuratively. In job search, we have a phrase that the résumé is designed to get your foot in the door. Job seekers are accustomed to looking at closed doors; lots of them.

The Gospel of Luke 11:10 states, “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

In looking at this verse the individual must take 3 distinct actions:
1. Ask: What have you asked God for lately? How specific have your prayers been in communicating your desires for your next career move and/or job? One question you should first ask yourself is “how can I use my gifts, talents, and experience in a way that will help other professionals?” How can you glorify God in the marketplace? That doesn’t mean you need to be out there preaching to people, and I recommend you don’t in most professional settings, but I think it’s important to assess your strengths and ask for direction and guidance. Keep your mind open to seeing possibilities, not just closed doors.

2. Seek: It’s important to seek out new career opportunities. Most Americans are unhappy in their chosen career paths, in fact, according to most polls, 80% of Americans are dissatisfied in their job. So if you’re unhappy in your job or career path, seek out what will make you happy. Seek God’s direction and be open to opportunities that you may not have previously considered. As the verse states, “the one who seeks finds.”

This doesn’t mean that just because you pray, you’ll find a job quickly. Initially, the opposite will seem true. Seek with a direction, seek with a passion, seek out something. If you seek a complete career change, seek it out strategically and with purpose. The Bible doesn’t say wander aimlessly in hopes that you’ll find something, it says, “the one who seeks finds.”

3. Knock: The action of knocking is a polite announcement. It’s a way of saying “I’m here, open up.” Of course, it would be pretty obnoxious if we stood outside of a door yelling, so God says, Knock…and the door will be opened. You may have to knock on a few different doors, but knock none-the-less. You’ll never know what’s on the other side of the door unless you knock to announce your presence.

In job search, your knock can be your résumé, your phone call, your introductory letter. You’ve got to first make contact. Typically many people take a completely different approach to job search. Most don’t want to Ask for help in the job search. Others don’t Seek with purpose, but only respond to jobs posted to the public. This is the equivalent of wandering aimlessly. Lastly, many refuse to KNOCK and never even take the opportunity to politely announce themselves.

Essentially, I’m going through these steps to demonstrate that job search requires strategy, calculated thought, and action. Ask, seek, knock…it is what the Gospel tells us to do. There’s an order to the process, just as an order to the process of job search. Most importantly bring God into your job search. Pray and/or ask with specific needs. Seek with purpose. Once you think you have reached your destination, take action, or “knock” and see what lies behind the door.

Blessings to you this day. If you need help in putting together a career management plan, please contact Chesapeake Resume Writing Service.

Root Systems

Matthew 13:21 “But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.”

I couldn’t help but notice the Crocus, Tulips, and Hostas poking through the ground on a recent walk around my neighborhood. It’s early March so there are signs of spring in the air. What really got me thinking was the fact that we never see what is happening beneath the surface of the dirt. Suddenly a little sprig of green or color peeks through and within a few weeks, you’re looking at a plant in full bloom.

It appears as if spring comes quickly from the time I notice its first signs to the time that I am sneezing and downing all kinds of antihistamines to combat the inevitable effects of the pollen that soon follows the budding plants. However, I want to take time to focus on what is not obvious.

Plants have root systems. Those roots typically spread out and grow around the plant, helping it to thrive. Depending upon the plant, the root system may grow several feet down or around from the stem of the plant. As I was walking today, I got to thinking about all of the energy that is wrapped up in those root systems and what it really takes in order for us to see that first “hint” of spring’s arrival from the Crocus.

Have you tried comparing your career search to that of a plant? There’s a lot of action going on beneath the surface. As you’re working hard to make that next opportunity come along think about what is happening “beneath the surface” of your job search. These are the actions that may not be obvious to others around you. You’re networking, building contacts, sprucing up the résumé…essentially doing the kinds of things it takes to stabilize your own career “root system.” When the phone rings from a potential employer, try to compare that to that first little color of green or purple breaking the surface. Have you really ever thought about how much energy that requires?

That first hint of green or that first call from a potential employer is only the beginning. There’s still quite a bit of action that still has to take place for a plant to grow or for you to get that job. First of all, everything has to be right…the plant still requires sun, water, and nutrients. The job search still requires good interviewing skills, you impressing the right people, and you having the right qualifications. Your career search, along with that plant, will continue to flourish. If a late freeze comes…it’s a little detrimental, but nothing from which the plant can’t recover. The same goes for you…if you’re not offered the job that you thought you were going to get, it will slow things down temporarily, but you can certainly recover from it. The point is to keep the root system strong.

Now think of God as your root system. If a plant’s root system is severed or destroyed, the plant is going to struggle. We recently relocated several plants in our yard which required physically separating the plant from a firmly grounded root system. Only time will tell if the plants will establish a new root system and flourish. The plants literally have to re-establish their root systems, growing down and deep in order to find the nutrients and water that will sustain it over time.

How is your personal root system? Do you feel like a plant that was severed from its root system and transplanted hoping that you will survive? What have you been clinging to? What has sustained you? If it’s anything other than God or whatever you may consider your “spiritual force” what can you do to strengthen it and ensure it will take root again and thrive? What will it require?

I know that especially in a job search or time of career transition, it’s essential to establish a firm root system. The condition of the roots is vital to the plant’s viability. The roots will anchor the plant in the same way that God will anchor you. Having grown up in the Deep South, I witnessed some pretty incredible acts of nature; tornados. I remember one touching down at my high school. There was tree debris, glass, and stuff blown everywhere. Thinking back though, there may have been bits and pieces of trees everywhere, but the trees with a solid root system stood firm. The damage that occurred at the surface was fairly insignificant to the tree’s overall life span because of its root system.

The Bible verse at the top is taken from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13. The parable of the Sower is about a farmer. Some of the seed he threw landed along a path where birds ate it up; some fell among rocks and shallow soil where plants sprouted, but soon withered because it couldn’t establish a solid root system. The seed that thrived fell into good soil where roots grew deep and it thrived.

I encourage you today to focus on what is beneath the surface. Who or what is your root system and how firmly planted in your life is it? Is your root system planted in good quality soil where (you) the plant will flourish? Will your root system be able to help you recover and continue to thrive after this storm is past? Does your root system provide you with the spiritual nutrients and nourishment that you require? If not, I encourage you to seek and find a root system that will help you to thrive and survive the challenges that life sends your way.

If you’re seeking assistance with your job search or career, please contact me at Chesapeake Resume Writing Service.