The Perfect Job

My husband is very musically talented with a beautiful singing voice. Though he has sung in quartets and choirs , I feel sad that his gift was not harnessed into a professional career.
But since his mother was struggling to raise three boys alone, it was not possible for her to even think about music lessons – and so it just never happened.

Finding the perfect job or career is every young person’s dream but for many the pursuit ends in a ‘compromise’ job that is less than satisfying. Even if one knows what their idea of a ‘perfect ‘ job would be , there are often insurmountable obstacles preventing that job from becoming a reality. And sometimes the ‘dream’ job in the mind of a young person is something that is either so illusive it is not practically possible or it is not at all suited to the person’s personality or ability.
Stuck in a 9-5 job that is not your ‘dream’ can feel like a trap and promote feelings of frustration ,drudgery and a sense of futility - the consequences of which affect all areas of one’s life.
But that is how it is in the ‘upside down’ earthly kingdom.

In God’s kingdom everything is right side up ! God calls for men and women and children to come work in His kingdom where the ‘perfect position’ is waiting just for you !!
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard.” (Matt.20:1)

Are you considering applying for a position in God’s kingdom ? Or maybe you have been working for the Lord for some time but have become lethargic, discouraged or maybe side tracked. Perhaps you have forgotten how great it is to be in the service of the Lord and need to be reminded.

I found looking at our Christian service alongside our earthly jobs an interesting exercise. There are several parallels I would like to offer here…

1> A ‘dream job’ would have a perfect boss , wouldn’t it? But even the best boss can have his down days or character weaknesses and in a big corporation is rarely seen by many of his employees. And in every company there is the back stabbing , juggling for favored positions, and hoping the boss will reward you with a promotion. Even if your ‘perfect job’ entails being your own boss…there are draw backs here too. You carry the burden of taking all initiative , risk and responsibility and of course there are no paid holidays , benefit packages or pension when you retire. Not a perfect world – and no perfect boss.

But in God’s kingdom , you are not just a favored employee, you are the ‘boss’s' child. You are not just a servant of the Most High , you are part of His family and have all the benefits and privileges that come with it. Never mind the pension…you are promised an inheritance that will last through all eternity. There is no jockeying for positions here - only you are qualified to do your job… none other need apply !
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born I sanctified you… and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”( Jer. 1:5) Before Jeremiah was even born God had already set him apart to fill a position that only Jeremiah could fill.

2> When you find a job posting you think would be perfect , you sometimes find there are stipulations as to age, or status or number of years of experience.
My sister-in-law recently took a Pharmacy Assistant course , then when she wanted to apply for a job found that they all wanted 3-5 years experience. How do you get the years of experience if no-one will hire you so you can get the experience?

When you apply to work in God’s vineyard, He accepts you just where you are.

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector , and though it had made him rich, his was not exactly a ‘dream job’. Tax collectors were hated by everyone – they were avoided and shunned, considered the lowest of the low. Yet Zacchaeus had a desire to see Jesus. Being short of stature , he could not see over the crowd but used to making his own way he saw an opportunity … and took it ! He ran up ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to secure a good view. Zacchaeus , I’m sure, expected Jesus and the crowd to pass by without so much as an upward glance up into the tree.
I would have loved to have seen his face when Jesus looked up and they locked eyes. I’m sure his heart stood still as he waited for Jesus to scorn or reject him.
But , instead, the unthinkable happened.
No one else would ever have considered being a guest in Zacchaeus’ house, but Jesus called up into the tree…and called him by name so there would be no mistake as to whom he was addressing.
“Zacchaeus, hurry up and come down out of that tree.. because I am coming to your house today !”
I don’t think Zacchaeus climbed down out of that tree , I think he just took one flying leap of joy !
The people watching were scandalized that Jesus would stoop to eat in Zacchaeus' house but it seems neither Jesus nor Zacchaeus paid any attention to them.
Jesus offered Zacchaeus a position in His kingdom.
He accepted him where he was.. he did not wait until he had 'had some work experience and proved his worth'.

3> How disappointing when you hear of a job that you think you would just love and then find out that you do not have the required qualifications. I met a girl through work , who had come to Canada as an immigrant from the Ukraine. Her ‘dream job’ was to work with senior /handicapped people , helping them in their daily routines to live as normal a life as possible. She applied for one position and while the job itself was exactly what she was looking for, it entailed keeping a computer journal of her interaction with the clients. She had no computer skills and her written English was poor.

If you apply to work in God’s kingdom , you will never hear that you lack the necessary qualifications. You are already equipped with everything you need to start your ‘job’.
When God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt , Moses objected that no one would listen to him .. much less believe that God had sent him.
The Lord’s answer is one He gives all of us when we doubt that we could be of any worth in His kingdom.
The Lord said to Moses, “What is in your hand?”
Moses was in the middle of watching sheep and in his hand was a rod. God changed the rod into a serpent on the ground, then back into a rod again.
Then God said, “Now take your hand and put it into your bosom”. The hand turned leprous , then God restored it health again.
God needed Moses to be willing to give Him what he had, and God would do the rest !
You may not feel that you have anything of value or worth to give God, but if you give Him what you have … you will be amazed at what He can do with it.

( to be continued )