Category Archives: Christianity

Job Search and the Meaning of Life

Christianity, , , , , , ,

shutterstock_142745281I realize the title is pompous sounding, but take a deep breath and think of some of your friends who have gone through an agonizing job search. Or perhaps it was you. I’m talking about the job-search campaign that lasts many months, or years, and takes you through over a dozen interviews, painstakingly prepared for, several of which had you among the finalists in the second or third round. And then after each one, silence, or the corporate “Dear John” letter that announces they just found a better catch and you are being ditched.

This soul-numbing process intersects with the “meaning of life” when we reach that Alfie-like moment and wonder, “What’s it all about?” I’ve heard it expressed by several clients who I’ve met at the Career Transitions Center of Chicago, and others who were referred to me by friends.

One of these referrals is an attractive, smart, strategic-thinking woman who has gone through the high-hopes-and-dashed-hopes hell of job search. I’ve met with her twice and this second time she said, “You know what. I am just tired. Tired of it all.” Her angry, frustrated tone said it all. And then she added, “Every one keeps telling me how skilled and gifted I am. If that’s true, then why am I not working?”

Why indeed? And why is the duration of this trial so long, so exhausting? If there is a God–and I believe there is–then what is God trying to accomplish by this? Teach us humility when we can’t sink any lower? Have us turn toward Him when this miserable time of our life is making us so angry we are turning away from Him?

It was largely for this reason that I wrote A Guide to God’s Perplexing Path. God tells us, in Scripture, that His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours that we cannot understand them. This spiritual fact–that His Path is inscrutably higher than our own–makes His Path and, therefore, our life, perplexing. So how will we ever make sense of it? What’s it all about?

Fortunately, He left us markers delineating the Way we are to walk, and these markers reveal why His Path is so perplexing. The short answer: It is designed to be.

A Guide frontcover 1-13-14 BThe Guide shows there is a purpose to this seemingly endless misery we sometimes suffer. You needn’t buy the book, because the first three chapters are posted on my website for free, and they will help you understand what this maddening, frustrating, and sometimes excruciating journey is trying to accomplish. (That said, the eBook version is only $.99 on Amazon.) Here is a link to those chapters. I hope they bring you peace if you are anxious, hope if you are depressed, and relief from the discomfort of this unsettling experience.  http://bit.ly/1lz4g4e

Book Review: A Guide to God’s Perplexing Path

Christianity, , , , ,

A Guide to God’s Perplexing Path received its first book review today and I am delighted to say it was rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Below you will find the review and a link to my website where the first three chapters of the book and the table of contents are posted. The book is being offered at a steep discount for the first three months of the year ($0.99 on Kindle and $8.99 for the paperback).

After you read the review, please check out the first three chapters and, if it is of interest, take advantage of the discount before it expires.

http://bit.ly/1lz4g4e

Reviewed by Darin Godby for Readers’ Favorite

Author Tom Payne takes the reader along three types of feasts in his book entitled A Guide To God’s Perplexing Path. These feasts are: The Feast of Passover, The Feast of Pentecost and The Feast of Ingathering. The path that leads the believer into an encounter with God is the path they must pursue. While there are paths that lead to Buddha, Islam, Jewish, and other religions, only those whose path leads to Jesus Christ will find true happiness. Author Payne discusses where a path shouldn’t lead a reader so they aren’t led astray from the true will of God. There is a discussion of the cross and its importance within the life of the believer. There are sections within the book that reveal details concerning the lives of D.L. Moody, John Bunyan, T.S. Eliot, F.B. Meyers and others.

Author Payne discusses the love and power of the cross and the purpose it displays within the life of the believer. There is a call to apply the lessons learned within this book for the reader to become a stronger, more effective Christian. There are many examples given and detailed explanations of these various feasts. This is a very well written book that will enable the believer to grow deeper within their faith and establish their foundation solid and sure in Jesus Christ. Author Payne allows the reader to be challenged and take a deeper look within their own hearts to see if they have areas of improvement that they need to make.

Grace and peace,

Tom Payne

 

Providence and Opportunity

Christianity, Job Search
The title page of Shakespeare's first folio.
The title page of Shakespeare’s first folio.

“There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will.” William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act V, Scene 2.

This is not your typical job search post, but I feel compelled to share it because of a strange occurrence in my life.

I’ve lived for over half a century and no one has ever offered me a media slot to host a show. You are probably in the same boat, though you may be younger. In fact, I’ve never really thought about hosting a show, radio, TV, or otherwise.

This past week I’ve received two offers from two very different outlets, to host a radio show. The first time this happened was odd enough, but for it to happen twice in the space of one week…. Are these two events providentially timed, or is this a mere coincidence?

Before continuing, let me state the obvious: One need not believe in the doctrine of providence to conduct a successful job search. Some people would call my providence their chance. Events, they would propose, have a connectedness that is purely coincidental. Perhaps they are right. Time will tell.

See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. (Mt. 6:28)
See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. (Mt. 6:28)

That said, these two unusual, synchronous events remind me of the way job opportunities can providentially appear in our lives. I’ve personally had job opportunities materialize out of nowhere for me when I seemed least marketable. And I’ve seen it happen to others.

Providence would hold that God is shaping our destiny in a way that makes the bad things that happen to us part of the good end result. It was classically stated by Joseph to his brothers, who sold him into slavery. He told them: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done” (Gn 50:20).

Providence would hold that somehow our unemployment is meant for our good. So, when you are struggling to find work and resources are dwindling, then rest in the faith that God will provide. He is in charge of the circumstances you face, and is the Father of the “coincidences” you experience. May Godspeed all who read this post through their job search process to a fulfilling career.