Ups and Downs

What does it look like for someone looking for employment?  It comes in waves.  One month ago there was a flurry of activity.  I was on an emotional high.  I attended a motivational speaking conference at the Verizon Center in D.C. with a good friend and his church staff.  We listened to Zig Zigler and he gave one of his famous quotes, "Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street."  I walked out of there pumped.  On the metro ride home I got an email from a church saying that I was one of the top three candidates for job search for them that started out with 95.  I was one of the top three.  I was excited, full of expectancy hoping that this finally will be the one. I walking on air!

So what's next?  I recently watched a skit done by Conan O'brien and in the skit his wife is yelling at him to find a job and he replies, "I don't know how!"  The rest of the skit is Conan trying to work at a fast food place and working as a birthday clown and not being very successful as either.  It was pretty funny.   Conan was meant to be a talk show host.  I was meant to speak life to the next generation.  Maybe I should stop looking for a job in network TV and look for a basic cable company to hire me. I could relate. I needed a good laugh!  

Fast forward one month later.  The interview went well.  But last week I got the email I was dreading.  They picked one of the other two candidates.  The church leaders will meet with him next month for an on site interview.  If for some reason he doesn't work out I'd be back in the running.

I was telling someone yesterday that this time of my life has been the lowest of lows.  But even in this low place, I know that God is with me.  Even when I feel forsaken, I know that I am not, because God's word promises that I'm not.  Today you may be in a tough spot as a leader.  Maybe you feel all alone and no one understands your situation, but God does.  He loves you and will never forsake you.  Reach out to Him in your time of need and He will comfort you with the Holy Spirit.   Stand on His promises today.  Redemption and restoration is right around the corner.  And keep that sense of humor, it's critical!