Well, I had 2 interviews for an Office Support job in May, but I found out yesterday (6-4-08) that I didn’t get the job. I was disappointed to find that out because it sounded like a job I would have really liked. So, I was a little down yesterday (but tried to remain positive). I really, really dislike going on job interviews (who does like job interviews?). However, I have found 2 books that are very helpful (I’ve read one and have started the other one): “101 Greatest Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions” and “101 Smart Questions to Ask on Your Interview” (by Ron Fry). After receiving the rejection letter yesterday, my mind started going over all my past failures, dwelling on “why didn’t I get this job”, and the fact that I’m right back at square one now.
I was then reminded of a principle from a BSF lesson from this year: God’s plan will always be fulfilled no matter how deep the defeat appears to be! We were studying Matthew 27:32-66 (Christ’s crucifixion, death, & burial). To everyone around during Christ’s trial/crucifixion/death/burial, it appeared that Jesus’ claims were being disproved. However, God’s plan was moving forward even though it appeared everything was going against God’s plan. For through Christ’s trial/crucifixion/death/burial (AND don’t forget the resurrection that followed)…..God’s plan of redemption was fulfilled. As the teaching leader pointed out, this gives us some insight into God’s sovereignty. God is still purposefully working! So, again I repeat: God’s plan will always be fulfilled no matter how deep the defeat appears to be! I don’t know about you, but that brings comfort to me! I then started thinking about the lessons I can learn from my failures (for God to show me the lessons)…..like how I could’ve answered some of the interview questions differently/better. I’m sure this will help me with my next set of interviews.
I was also encouraged when Mark mentioned about the time when he interviewed for a job at a place in Woodbury, MN….he thought the interview went great, but he didn’t get the job. Then, when he interviewed for the company he works for now……he thought the interview went bad, but he got the job. After some time, the 1st place he interviewed with closed their location. So, in hindsight, it was best that he didn’t get the 1st job. Only after getting the 2nd job did he realize that the “bad” interview was a way of weeding out people who didn’t fit the job. So, it’s all in God’s hands! :-)
Okay, and this is the part that I think is just totally awesome! God clearly spoke to me today…when I needed it! Today, June 5, I read in “Our Daily Bread” the following….it fits so appropriately:
Scripture: Psalm 42
1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, “Where is your God?”
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me….
8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me – a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a breaking of my bones, my enemies reproach me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.
“A Graduation Wish” (corresponding story to the scripture):
The high school commencement speaker was the president of a large corporation. He was chosen for the occasion because of his success. Yet his speech came with a most unusual wish for the graduates.
The speaker told the students sitting before him in their graduation gowns, “If I could have one hope for you as you go out into the world, it would be this: I hope you fail. I hope that you fail at something that is important to you.” He went on to say how his own early life had been one failure after another, until he learned to see failure as an effective teacher.
Many of the songs of Israel were born in seasons of failure. Out of desperation came the cry, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Ps. 42:1-2).
Sometimes we are not ready to see the wonder of God’s wisdom and strength until we are gasping for breath in the exhaustion of our own strength.
A recurring story of the Bible is that mountains of faith rise from the valleys of failure. Before discovering the high ground we are looking for, we may need to see the failure of the dreams we hold in our hearts and trust instead in the love, wisdom, and guidance of our God. – Mart De Haan
The lessons we learn from our failures
Are lessons that help us succeed,
And if we are wise and we heed them,
Then failure is just what we need. – D. De Haan
“Learn from your failures, or you will fail to learn.”
I know that God never fails me! -Jonay
