Embrace the rain

Last night I attended the outdoor U2 concert in Minneapolis. After about three songs, it started pouring rain. Instead of ending the show, Bono and crew relished the moment. The downpour added a certain excitement to the concert, and the rain looked amazing on the video screens.

There's something that can be learned from these talented Irishmen and applied to our lives:  embrace the rain. I have been feeling the rain during these last 11 months of being unemployed, and it's really challenging to embrace it.

But you know what? God shines through broken people -- not perfect ones.

Hearing God in times of stress

I regularly pray to God. About big things. About little things. When I lost my job nine months ago, I prayed about really big things -- like my family's finances and me finding a new job. But there was no response. I still don't have a job, and I was feeling abandoned by God.

That was, until I listened to a recent podcast by John Eldredge. He said that it's really difficult to hear God in times of stress, because there is so much noise attacking us. I know what he's talking about -- everybody from my wife to my parents to former coworkers were telling me what to do after I lost my job.

Eldredge's advice is to start with small prayers, like "God, do you love me?" We know that the answer to that is a resounding "Yes!" Eldredge said that there's so many factors that go into the big decisions, that it helps to simplify.

I also think that it makes sense to get away from distractions to focus on God. Just like you can see so many more stars in the country than in the city because of all the lights, it's easier to hear God when one gets away from all of the noise and distractions.

Lord, I yield to you.

Follow-up to TV moratorium

Here's an update on how my family's TV moratorium went in August.

It was very challenging, especially for my wife (who likes to watch TV) and my son (who loves to play video games). There were constant cries of "I'm bored" coming from my son. We did spend more quality time together, although since it was summer and my son could go outside, he spent a lot of time with his friends.

We didn't really play any board games, although we did talk and get to know each other better. During the exercise, I did not really hear God more or get closer to Him.

Unemployment has drawn me very close to Him, though.

Unemployed. . .(sigh)

I have written before on this blog how God has guided my career (see this post and this post).

Well, due to staffing adjustments, I was laid off from my employer on Aug. 31 (my son's ninth birthday). I can only assume that God is continuing to guide my career. I remember when I was in college how scared I was, thinking that there might not be a job for me when I graduated. (My dad was let go from his job the summer before I started college, so I believe my fear was directly related to that.)

I was terrified of getting laid off at some point in my career, and now it has happened. My only choice is to live by faith, to see what God has in store for me.

God continues to guide my career

In Oct. 2007, I wrote about how God guides my career. Well, He continues to be faithful. My boss at the financial services organization left in March of this year. I applied for his position -- I was excited for an opportunity to advance my career. The senior vice president of communications interviewed me for the position, but said that she didn't think that I was ready. That was pretty disappointing.

Then this fall, the head of a local public relations firm recruited me to be a vice president at her firm. I accepted this excellent opportunity, and I start on Oct. 20.

Thank you, God! You are faithful. Given the way that the stock market has been going, it's perfect timing.

A job. . .just in time

I have written in the past about how God guides my career. Well, a friend of mine from church recently experienced God's hand in his work life as well! He had a feeling that he was going to be let go from his job, and he indeed was let go last Wednesday. He and his family were very sad and scared. Then he had a job interview on Thursday, was offered a contract position on Friday, and the new company wants him to start on Monday!

God's provision was definitely evident in this situation.

God guides my career

Near the end of my high school years, my dad was laid off from his job in the corporate real estate department of a national bookseller. I knew that he had worked very hard at his job, but he was out due to budget cuts. That really scared me -- it showed me that other people can be in control of your career.

Well, God knows my fears about job cuts and layoffs. As a result, I put my faith in Him, and He has been faithful in guiding my career. Take a look at His faithfulness:

• After working for nine years at a music retailer, I got the feeling that it was time to move on. He provided a job for me at another firm. About nine months later (in late 2000), the music retailer that I worked for was acquired by a Fortune 500 retail company, and many layoffs ensued.
• I worked at the other firm for two years, from 2000-2002. Layoffs hit that firm because of the recession. I survived three rounds of layoffs, and then God provided me with a job at a legal services company.
• My job at the legal services company lasted three years. For most of that time, I had a boss who was a nightmare -- one of those "bully bosses". My former supervisor at the firm that I worked at from 2000-2002 had moved on to a financial services organization. He called to see if I was interested in a position at his workplace. I was -- and I have worked for that financial services organization since 2005.

I have had tremendous faith in God with my career. He has helped me to survive nasty acquistions, layoffs and a bully boss. I am so thankful for His faithfulness and will enjoy seeing the doors that He opens for me in the future!

God spoke to me, part II

The second time that I audibly heard God's voice was in early 2000. I had been working at a company for nine years and realized that it was time to move on from there in order to further my career. I had interviewed with a company in Des Moines and was interested in the prospect of moving there, since I went to school for a couple of years at Drake University.

At the time I was attending Church of the Open Door, and I was worshipping at one of their Wednesday night services. Suddenly, right during the middle of a song, I heard that deep, clear voice again. "I have a job for you," the voice said. Again it distinctively was God.

I thought, "Super! I'm going to get an offer regarding the job in Des Moines!" Of course, I wanted to hear more from Him, but my first experience told me that He only speaks in short phrases.

The next day I received a call from the company in Des Moines. "Brant, we thought that you brought a lot to the table, and we appreciated you coming down here to interview for the position. We have decided to go with someone else who had more experience."

"OK, thanks," I replied.

What was that about? I thought that He just told me that He had a job for me!

I also had interviewed with a company in Bloomington. The following day they called and gave me an offer -- and that's where I went to work.

I interpreted God's telling me that He had a job for me on a couple of different levels. First of all, He gave me the next job that would further my career. But on a bigger scale, I believe that He was telling me that He has a job for me for my entire life as a way to further His Kingdom. I'm still trying to figure out what that is. . .maybe He will audibly speak to me again. . .I can only hope.