Armor UP!

Are you working in a job that you want to leave? Are you just hanging on until you can find that next opportunity? You want to leave, but just can’t because you have financial obligations you need to meet, and that job enables you to meet those obligations.

When you feel that way, it puts you in a very vulnerable position. Essentially, this is where people look at me, hearts aching, almost to the point, of tears, and ask, “What can I do? I can’t leave; but I’m miserable.”

There’s no medicine that can help; no drink is strong enough to take that kind of pain and desperation away. The kind of vulnerability you feel oozes through your veins and goes to the core of your very soul. When you’re vulnerable professionally, mentally, and physically, the next stop is spiritually.

It truly is a place where you are (in spirit of this blog), In Irons. When you are In Irons, you have to move, you have to shift the boat, you have to get out of irons. It requires action, movement, and muscle. And in order to make that happen on the spiritual front, the one thing you have to do is ARMOR UP.

Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Here is a work-day scenario for you to follow:
Before you have to face the co-worker who is lying and trying to undercut you in all you do; you know, the one you don’t share any personal information and limited professional insight with: Armor UP.

Before you call that customer or client who is the biggest pain alive; the customer you would love to “fire” or wish would find a new person to beat up: Armor UP.

Before having to sit through another conference call with the clueless corporate office people who have never done your job, but think they know how you can do yours better by creating mindless policies and procedures: Armor UP.

Before having to interact with the boss who sits in the office, the one you’ve been loyal to for several years, and now only busts your chops all day about how you should be grateful that you even HAVE a paycheck. You know the kind, they tell you how your numbers aren’t good enough, but never do anything to help you do your job better: Armor UP.

Or, the feeling of knowing that you’re being micro-managed on every level and don’t have enough authority to effectively negotiate a promising deal. You know the kind, if you didn’t have to run EVERYTHING through your boss, you could have closed this prospect weeks ago: Armor UP.

I love the scene in the movie The Blind Side where the actor playing Michael Oher, picks up the opposing team’s player who has been jawing at him the entire game and practically carries him off the field. The coach responds, “where were you taking him?” And the character says, “it was time for him to go home. I was taking him to the bus.” For something like this to happen, you have to dig deep, you have to move, you have to take action, you have to Armor Up. You have to let God move you into action…and it may (or may not) require you to take a bold step that will astonish you and everyone watching.

When you Armor Up and let God have control of the negative, He will lighten your load. You don’t have to put on 40 pounds of physical armor; you just have to pray and ask God to give you the virtual or spiritual armor to make it through the next minute, hour, or day. In reiterating verse 18, “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” That doesn’t mean praying once, as you take your last sip of coffee in the car, before walking into work…and then returning to the car at the end of the day praying, “Lord get me out of here.” It means praying before everything you do. You must, without any negotiation, Armor Up before the day starts and armor up throughout the day. The easiest prayer to mutter under your breath – without rolling your eyes I might add, “Lord, give me strength.”

As you read the entire scripture passage, note, it’s not just one piece of armor; it’s a full body suit of armor. God will clothe you from head to toe, enabling you to stand firm while remaining a person of integrity and holding to the truth and promise that lies ahead.

Call to Action: Pray without ceasing. Give God your career. Let Him open your eyes. Let Him be your guide.

If you’re seeking more information about career management or seeking a speaker on the topic of job search and career management from a Christian perspective, please contact me through email or call the office. Thank you. Beth Colley

When Do You Know it’s Time to Change Careers?

In my experience in working with career changers, I hear statements like, “At the end of the day, it has to be about more than money” “I’m not fulfilled in my job.” Or  “I’ve outgrown the company.”  Or “I’m bored”

If you’re saying that, it probably is time to re-evaluate your priorities and your career calling. Realizing that maybe you’ve been in the same career/job for several years, it’s fair to take a step back and say, “I’m not the same person at 52 that I was at 32. It’s true and it shows that you’re comfortable with where you are professionally, personally, and spiritually.

 The question or responses for Christians isn’t any different. The difference is in how you approach the risk of changing jobs. For example, when changing careers, it’s first important to prioritize your values. What are you willing to give up? What do you want to gain? At the end of the work day/week, what is going to give you the most amount of satisfaction in your career?

 One way to go about this is to evaluate what you do outside of work and where you spend the most significant amount of time. Take a serious look at the types of skills involved, what comes naturally to you, and that may help point you in the right direction. Take time to evaluate the skills/tasks that you utilize in your free time or as a volunteer with an organization, and look for ways to incorporate those strengths into your work life. Also ask yourself, what would be FUN for you? We forget that we’re allowed to have FUN at work, and typically those who do, get the most satisfaction out of their careers.

 So, let’s look at the risk involved in changing jobs and how, as a Christian, you can be empowered. First of all, you have to remember, God will always provide exactly what you need. When the Israelites were in the desert, God provided manna. I don’t know what it tasted like, and considering we don’t see Chef Mario Batali using manna as an ingredient, there’s probably not much that can be done with it from a culinary perspective. However, the manna sustained the Israelites’ nutritional needs for 40 years. And what was the command? “Take only what you need.” (Exodus 16) I think the fact that God provided them with Quail in the same chapter is just one other sign that God will give you the desires of your heart. As stated in Psalm 37:4, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Of course, if you go back and read Exodus 16, the Israelites weren’t exactly “delighting in the Lord” at that point. Ok, but you get my drift, the Israelites needed food and God provided it.

 The promise of God’s provision is evident throughout scripture and even one of my favorite passages speaks to personal worries about how God does provide for our needs; Matthew 6:25-34. God knows what you need and He will absolutely provide it. He promises that.

 So as you’re pondering that career change, ponder it with the assurance in knowing God will provide for you and will guide you to a place where you can use the gifts and strengths with which He has equipped you. We tend to forget that God has given each individual, each part of the body, specific gifts to use according to his purpose to lift up the body and unify the church. (Ephesians 4:11)  One perspective from which you can consider this career change as a Christian is to trust and believe that God will place you in exactly the right position, at the right time, at the exact company, (or your own business) and He will bless that.

Let me emphasize, I’m not encouraging you to be reckless in your decision. I don’t recommend quitting suddenly and saying, “Ok, God, now YOU have to find me a new job.” That would be considered an act of defiance.

 The message I’m trying to convey is that if you truly feel that it’s time to change careers or change jobs, trust that you can take that step. Maybe that step looks more like a leap; perhaps it’s a four-mile swim in choppy ocean waters. Whatever it looks like, as a Christian in career change, you can trust that God will guide you there. Knowing that you can begin that journey with God knowing exactly where He wants you to end up takes a significant amount of risk and anxiety out of that decision. It’s not easy, nothing about being a Christian is, but with God on your side, nothing is impossible.

 If you’re considering a career change, please know that I can help. Email me at resume@chesres.com or call me at 410-923-6294. I’d love to help you start that journey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H-E-L-P The other 4 letter word

Psalm 55:12
Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you;

I believe that I’ve always been pretty up front about how tough job search is. I recently returned from a careers industry convention and was reminded again how difficult job search can be. And I also understand that while you’re in the midst of that job search and trying to figure out how to get noticed that your worries, anxiety, and burdens can easily pile up.

I’m not addressing only those people in job search today, but anyone and everyone who is carrying some kind of burden. So many times, it’s easy to let pride get in the way and not admit to ourselves or others that we need help.

One of the shortest prayers I’ve ever said is, “Lord, Help me.” It’s unfortunate that a lot of things have to take place before I’ll actually pray that prayer; and I’m often at my wits end and overwhelmed before I’ll actually utter those words out loud. Have you ever thought about it though? Lord…Help…Me. We want to think that we’re invincible, we want to think we’re super human, we want to think that we truly can work 70, 80, or 90 hours a week. When it all comes crashing in, those three words are still difficult to say. Lord…Help…Me.

A very good friend of mine this week reminded me how difficult it often is for us to ask for help. She carries the world on her shoulders, gives of herself to the point of exhaustion, and still will DO for others. I know she needs help, but I don’t know how to give her help unless she asks for it. I hope she will ask, soon, and I will provide any level of support to her that I can, because I know how hard it is for her to say that one 4 letter word, H-E-L-P.

Maybe you can relate. Maybe you know you need help but you don’t know how to ask for it. Maybe you need help in your job search, maybe it’s with a personal family matter, maybe it’s with a difficult situation that is so complicated you can’t even begin to figure out how to describe it to others. Let me encourage you here; it starts with 4 letters. H-E-L-P. Then it’s followed by a very short prayer, Lord…Help…Me.

As a resume writer and career coach, I’m in the business of helping others. I like to help AND it makes me feel good. When others let me help them at something I know I’m good at, I feel great! Can you relate? Have you ever helped someone and actually felt empowered by it? Have you ever been the recipient of someone’s help and wondered why you didn’t seek their help sooner?

Psalm 55:22 states, “Cast your burden on the Lord; and He will sustain you.” Sustain in Hebrew means: To keep in and contain, To abide, remain with and reside, To receive, comprehend and guide, To feed, nourish, make provision for and provide sustenance for. That’s a wonderful promise…Cast your cares upon the Lord and he will feed you, nourish you; God will guide you and make provision for you. In other words, God will do what He does best; He will L-O-V-E you.

God craves for us to Love Him back. He wants us to pray, “Lord, Help Me.” He wants to pour down His grace to you and H-E-L-P you. Will you let Him do that? Will you ask Him for his help today? I certainly hope so, because if you ask Him for his Help, He will provide for you in the most gracious and loving way that only He can. It all starts with a prayer, “Lord…Help…Me”

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 http://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