God’s Guidance 2 - Finding a Job

Here’s another example of God’s guidance related to a job. If you are struggling in search of a job right now, I hope this encourages you.

For two summers of college, I had been working at an advertising agency in downtown Chicago. It meant an 11-hr day, because my travel to the office was an hour and a half one way. But I fell in love with the city and loved the job.

I had one more summer before graduating from the university. As summer was nearing, I called the ad agency to ask what day they wanted me to start that summer, Monday or Tuesday?

Their answer: “We lost some clients recently and will not be able to offer you the job this summer.”

I hung up the phone and immediately thought, “How exciting! I wonder what God has for me this summer. Maybe I’ll be able to work for a Christian organization!”

Now…don’t think I ALWAYS respond in immediate faith. I don’t! And I’m kind of amazed that I did then. But that was honestly my reaction.

Here’s what I did next. (This is before the Internet.) I drove downtown to the city library, and opened the Yellow Pages book for Chicago. (It was a collection of listings for businesses in Chicago.)

I wrote down a list of Christian organizations, their addresses, phone numbers. Then I wrote each one a letter! (It didn’t even occur to me to prepare a resume.)

In the letter, I simply told them a few things about myself…Christian, studying journalism, worked in an ad agency, could type pretty fast, and would love to work for a Christian organization.

It was not very impressive and I didn’t work long on it. I probably sent it to 7 or 8 companies. It’s kind of a joke that an employer would look at just a letter, no resume.

Yet, I got a phone call within a week from the American Bible Society. They asked me a few questions and set up an interview. At the interview, they offered me the job of being a travel representative for them, over 12 states within the U.S. They wanted me to open a new area for them and said I’d have an administrative assistant, my own office, and a travel budget. Crazy, right? And the pay was higher than the ad agency.

All sounds perfect, right?

All but one huge roadblock: my father.

I was living at home that summer and he did not like the idea of me traveling, and REALLY did not like the idea of me working for a Christian organization!

Since I was living at home, I felt I needed his approval to take this job.

I was in the backyard of our home reading Romans 4 about Abraham, and having a conversation with God about this whole thing. It seemed that God was handing me this job, but given my Dad’s reaction, I was beginning to have doubts.

Then I read this regarding Abraham: “No distrust made him waver concerning the promises of God. But he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what He promised.” Rom 4:20

I asked God to forgive me for doubting his ability to give me this job, if this is what he wanted.

Two minutes later, my Mom called me into the house…my Dad was on the phone for me. He could be a very intimidating man.

He started in a very stern voice, “Marilyn…” and then paused. A long pause. And his entire tone changed. “I guess you can take this job as long as you’re not gone more than three days at a time.”

I could tell from his start that this is NOT what he was going to say.

God is able. Our part? Be like Abraham: “No distrust made him waver concerning the promises of God. But he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he promised.”

What has God promised? To guide us in his will. To be with us through hardships. To comfort us and give us strength. To speak to us in his Word. To answer prayer.

We leave it in his hands. God can guide.