SelahV Today

THOUGH TEMPTED AND TRIED

Though there are times I'm tempted and tried, I find myself coming back to You, Lord.  Though there are days when life is not kind and situations test the very fiber of my soul, I find myself longing for more of You, Lord.  Though death beckons loved ones and separation looms, I know my hope is in You, Lord.  Though waters seem deep and mountains seem high, I find myself carried on angels' wings to the throne of Your grace, Lord.  Though buffeted by satan's adversity and surrounded by temptations destruction, I surrender not to his evil designs on my life, but rest in the promises of You, Lord Jesus, my Savior and King.  My weakness is Your strength, my failure is Your victory.  To You alone, Lord, will I give my all and yield.  selahV

TO BOAST OR NOT TO BOAST, WHAT A DILEMMA!

Sometimes folks believe it's expedient to proclaim their accomplishments.  It's necessary to commend themselves with their past success, their abilities, their knowledge.  Some even find it imperative that others know whom they know--with whom they rub elbows.  Ever once in a while they drop a name in an effort to elevate themselves in another's eyes.   Sometimes they denigrate others to defend their positions, or make themselves look better.  This is something we see all the more prevalent during election season as politicians tout their records and others try to expose the warts in their opponents.

I realize there are times when we are compelled to share what we know and how well we've performed.  There are times that our record is extremely germane to a situation in life.  Career moves are one of those times.  Often resumes are the rudder on which the ship will sail or sink. 

I've always squirmed a bit whenever I've written out a resume.  I know its purpose is to give a prospective employer as much information about my strengths and abilities as possible.  They want to know what positive attributes I can bring to their table should they consider me part of their team.  In a sea of resumes with a multitude of prospective employees for a particular position, we all want to stand out and make it to the next step in the process of getting the job.  And so we tell everything we can about ourselves in the most succinct way we are able and hope for the best.  However, in my heart I know my inadequacies, my weaknesses.  So I've always felt like I wasn't giving the entire picture of who I am when documenting my experience.

I remember an interview in which I really wanted the position for which I was applying.  My experience for the position was more than sufficient.  I'd made it through two levels of interviews, one including a series of personality tests designed to determine my compatibility with the rest of the team.  Even though I'd put my best foot forward, listed everything I could about myself that would give the greatest impression, the employer told me he had several applicants with similar capabilities.  I had some stiff competition.   He'd let me know after he'd called my references.  Then I waited.

"Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips." Proverbs 27:2

When I was given the position a week later, the employer told me what pushed me a step ahead of the others in his mind.  My former employer, who was a Christian, was called and when he was asked what kind of employee I'd been for his company, he simply replied, "If she wants the job, you should give it to her.  You won't find anyone better."

I was extremely grateful that my past performance had followed me in such a positive way. I was fortunate that my former employer held my service for him in such high regard that he'd recommend me for any position I desired.  To him, it didn't matter what the job entailed, or how I measured up in a stack of resumes and sea of applicants.  In the final analysis, it didn't matter what I said about myself.  It didn't matter how well I tested on personality tests.  It didn't matter how much experience I had with the job.  It mattered what another man said.  selahV

[FOR ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE on what another man's words can do, visit my devotional at dailyIMPACT by SelahV.]

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]