A Time Well Spent
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19) For the unemployed or underemployed, when reading this verse another verse may jump to mind (Mark 9:24): “I believe, help my unbelief.” God is faithful and His word is true, yet where is the provision this verse is promising???
Having had a time of unemployment to ponder these things, I have had a season to put some things into perspective, such as, the expectation that God owes me (according to Phil. 4:19) to provide for my perceived needs, even my former standard of living. It is a shocking truth that there are dear brothers and sisters in the Lord all over the world that live with amazingly less provision than I do and yet they are happy because Christ is all they have and they know He is all they really need.
Is it possible that God may be intending to meet a greater need than maintaining your former standard of living? Many years ago my youth group gave a challenge to fast for thirty-six hours and to donate the money we would have spent on food to a gospel-based ministry that provided for the poor worldwide. After twenty-four hours I realized that hunger pains were not terminal—who knew?!? Suddenly life had an entirely different perspective—man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. In that same way, during unemployment I had the opportunity to spend many hours in prayer that I did not have when working. I was driven to prayer by need, yes, but the sweet, sweet fellowship with God and with His people only came about as God met my need for intimacy with Him according to His riches in glory.
The daily routine of opening up CareerBuilder.com, Monster.com and Craig's list to look at (and apply for) the same jobs day in and day out, month in and month out, was discouraging. In the midst of numbing
searches for a job came brothers who would come alongside to “network” with me—they were keeping their ears open, offering suggestions and telling me of Help Wanted signs. How it knit my heart together with those whom I did not know as well then as I now do!
Not the least of what God did in joblessness was being the recipient of great kindnesses from God's people. I think of all the difficulties and lessons I experienced, the kindnesses were the hardest to receive. God gave me a taste of true humility during that time.
Lessons that I have learned:
1) Do not try to tough it out and just get through until you get a job—God has purposes in all that He allows, look for and be ready to receive what He intends to do in your life. Our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He is able to provide when and how He chooses so it is not for lack that God tarries on your behalf! Believe it. It's true.
2) Be diligent in your job search—it is your job during unemployment, to be sure. Yet it is God Who provides. (Deut 8:18)
3) Use the time wisely and profitably to spend time with God. Oh, how I would like to stop right there—this is where “according to His riches in glory” seem to apply the most for me. A taste of God's glory in the tender fellowship of prayer makes Solomon's treasury a pauper's den in comparison and it imparts an ever present longing to return.
4) Be ready to serve. God has prepared works ahead of time for you, specifically for you, during this time He has set apart. Be watchful now and not regretful later as you realize the window of opportunity has closed. (Eph. 2:10)
5) Look to fellowship, particularly in prayer, with other brothers in your same circumstances, who have been in similar circumstances or who can encourage you in the faith. I had such a brother who had been unemployed and who came alongside to spur me on, to encourage me and to benefit me from his hard earned experience, giving advice even where to begin a job search.
I would never have chosen unemployment and a shiver goes down my spine when I hear someone take their employment lightly, but I would never trade all that God had for me during what could have been very dark days without Him and His people. Now employed, I am determined to comfort those with the comfort with which I have been comforted. (2 Cor. 1:4)
Thank you brothers and sisters in Christ for your ministry. God is receiving and will receive the glory!
Ted Pallock
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