If you attend a job interview and was told to describe yourself, what would you say? I remember attending some interviews in the past and such questions gave me an opportunity to “sell” myself.
But I’m thrilled by the unprecedented way some people constantly described themselves in the Bible.
“The Jewish authorities in Jerusalem sent some priests and Levites to John (the Baptist) to ask him, “Who are you?” … What do you say about yourself? John answered by quoting the prophet Isaiah: “I am ‘the voice of someone shouting in the desert: Make a straight path for the Lord to travel! ” John 1:19, 22-23 (GNB)
John described himself by telling the people his purpose in life.
Jesus once asked his disciples – “who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah …” – Mat 16:16. Jesus gave Peter a thumbs-up because he was spot on. Peter’s response was resonating Jesus’ purpose and unique identity.
The man that wrote majority of the New Testament books introduced most of the books by shedding light on his unique identity. For instance, in Romans 1:1 he wrote: “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle …”. Apostle Peter also threaded this same path.
What am I trying to say? Is it that you are to illustrate your life’s purpose and unique identity when asked to describe yourself in job interview? No! That’s not the point! You know the aspects of your personality and experiences the interviewers are particularly interested in and you may go ahead to tell them. However, I’m trying to draw your attention to the point that in the last couple of weeks, we have been discussing our collective identity as believers. From discussions on being righteous, delivered and sanctified to being saints and God’s representatives on earth, we have delved into things that are common to all believers.
Nevertheless, there is something unique about you. In the midst of our collective identity, you have a distinctive identity on earth. Your assignment is unique and you should be able to describe it eloquently and succinctly like Paul and Peter, if asked in a job interview.
Well, this job interview may not happen till the end of the age when it will be an exit interview—Did you fulfill my purpose for your life? That will be God interviewing you. More on that next week …
– tope aladenusi
As a consultant, I have worked in over 7 countries with a variety of Companies specialized in banking & finance, insurance, telecommunications, e-commerce, manufacturing, entertainment and energy. I have noticed one thing that seems common with the employees of almost all these Companies; they complain about their jobs.
Why is this so?
Sometime ago, I discussed this with a couple of colleagues and I appreciated their responses. One of them explained that it was because “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”; the other quickly pleaded guilty. She recalled that she had fasted before she got her job and had testified in church when she got it. But recently she noticed, if she was not complaining about her salary, she was grumbling over another colleague’s attitude, overwork, boredom or something else.
I have been brooding over this matter since we had the conversation and have identified several reasons that could lead to our constant complaining. Today, I want to share with you the one that sits on top of my list.
Every believer has a unique purpose in this world and our exposure, experiences or education should actually help us fulfill this purpose. There is one major reason for which we are alive and every other thing in our lives should tilt towards that one thing. Your work could serve as a preparation ground for fulfilling your purpose or could even present you with the platform to do so. If you cannot see how what you currently do is placing you in the path of purpose, you will always complain. If you do not have your eyes fixed on purpose while you work, every little thing will annoy you. The Message translation of Hebrews 12:2 says “Study how Jesus did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed, … he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever.”
Beloved, where are you headed? Are your eyes fixed on your purpose?
tope aladenusi
- A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is
shining and wants it back the minute it begins to rain.2. An economist is an expert who will know tomorrow why the things he
predicted yesterday didn’t happen today.3. A statistician is someone who is good with numbers but lacks the
personality to be an accountant.4. An actuary is someone who brings a fake bomb on a plane, because that
decreases the chances that there will be another bomb on the plane.5. A programmer is someone who solves a problem you didn’t know you had
in a way you don’t understand.6. A mathematician is like a blind man in a dark room looking for a
black cat that isn’t there.7. A topologist is a someone who doesn’t know the difference between a
coffee cup and doughnut.8. A lawyer is a person who writes a 10,000 word document and calls it
a “brief.”9. A psychologist is someone who watches everyone else when a beautiful
girl enters the room.10. A professor is one who talks in someone else’s sleep.
11. A consultant is someone who takes the watch off your wrist and tells
you the time.12. A committee is a body that keeps minutes and wastes hours.
– femi fadumila
