Don't Worry?

For the last 10 days I've filled out job applications. I've filled them out online, I've filled them at the house, I've filled them out on the job site, I've even taken a completed one in, and had to fill out a second more thorough one. I feel like the last part of Green Eggs and Ham, "Yes, I will application-complete on a train. Yes, I will application-complete in the rain, or in the moat or with a goat..." (doesn't roll off the tongue well, does it?). What I've come to learn from the job hunt, particularly, is that most employers are fickle when it comes to who they hire. Employers don't hire people who can do the job and then some, but look for the person who can do the job and nothing else.

Case in point: I show up, resume in hand, at Starbucks during the hours they are holding a "job fair." I fill out their application, the manager takes one look at it and says, "Are you sure you want to work here?"
"Why? Is it not a good company to work for?" I ask.
"No, that's not what I meant. I mean, you have a Master's degree. Your over qualified to work as a "barista" (I take that to be the lowest man on the worker-pole). It only pays $8 hr, and is part-time. I suppose I can suggest you for an assistant manager's job, but my district manager hires those and she's not here. But, I'll pass your resume along."

And that's it. I'm dismissed, and nothing - ever - happens! It's like a bad episode of the Twilight Zone. Rod Serling is standing in my black and white living room, me furiously scrawling my personal information at the table behind him. He looks into the camera and beginning his remarks, "Like many ordinary men, this man - Jeff - is looking for a job.... Little does he know, but every application he turns in brings him one step closer to The Twilight Zone."
[Cue erie music as camera pans to table where Jeff is still feverishly writing]

This odd scene is repeated in almost every establishment where I seek work. What is ironic is that most of the places I enter have big signs saying, "NOW HIRING." See, employers aren't going to hire me to shovel fries, hang sweaters, or pour coffee, because they see that, although I can do the job their asking, I'm probably not going to be around the station long. They figure (and I know this because I see it in their beady eyes) as soon as a better looking train blows the departure whistle, I'm getting on board. Thus, I leave them just as they began; one person short, one more person to train, one more person to have to do paper work on, etc. Why not just bypass the headache and hire someone who is barely qualified for the job? That way, there is a little more assurance they'll stay around. (By the way - if you think this sounds just a bit paranoid, forget it! They really are out to get me!)

So, I'm unemployed. The thought makes me cringe, especially now...living in a new city, making new friends. They always ask, "So, where do you work?" or "Were you transferred to Dallas with your job?" I always have to swallow hard, checking myself in order not to tell a big fat lie, like, "Oh, yea. I got hired away from the L.A. Dodger organization to come work with the Rangers." But I always say, "At the moment, I'm in a vocational reorganization." Which everyone knows is short for, jobless, unemployed, no-funds coming in. And if you've ever been without income for a period of time, you know it is a scary period.

But then I remember that Jesus was unemployed. For three years Jesus went about teaching and ministering, but not bringing home the bacon. I mean, he didn't have steady work, like tax collecting (i.e. Matthew) or fishing (i.e. Peter, James, John). Jesus sort of traveled the small area of Galilee, and the larger area of Judea, living off the generosity of others. Now, as a side note: This idea is really interesting when you read what Paul has to say about the jobless, "If a man doesn't work, then neither should he eat" (1 Thes 3:10). I don't believe Paul is saying that the jobless Jesus should have gone hungry. See, Jesus had a task. It wasn't a job per se, but it was a God-directed task. As Jesus carried out his mission, as he did what God called him to do, God blessed him with sustenance. God put generous people into Jesus' life in order to provide for him (i.e. Mary, Martha, Lazarus have this function I think). Jesus' unemployment didn't last forever. It had a definite start date and a definite end date. At the end of the God-directed task, Jesus was called to bigger and better things. So, I have hope.

Yes, at this moment I'm unemployed. And yes, I believe this time - this transforming time - is a God directed task for me and my family. And yes, like my Savior, we are being provided for by so many gracious God-blessed people. People who are praying for us, people who are loving us into health, people who are literally, writing checks so that we have a roof over our heads and food in our mouths. There is no way we can express the enormous gratitude we have. Our prayer is that God will pour out His abundance on you the same way you've poured it out on us.

I'm still looking for a job (just a minimal job, so that I can concentrate on recovery). However, I'm not too anxious about getting by. I mean, Jesus did instruct us to pray, "Give us this day, our daily bread." Maybe this whole thing is about trust?