On December 26th, 2016, I rolled out of bed, and ambled to my closet. Then, this: “Go get an interview suit.” Just a quiet whisper, really, and certainly not an audible one. I had been given word that a position I’d been interested in over the years was available, that the job would be a perfect fit. After informal discussions with two key decision makers, I’d been told the holidays would create a lull in progress, and that interviews would be down the road.
I have, at times, been barely awake, and would have a real sense that my Maker was impressing a clear direction or truth onto my heart. It’s rare. I might go to bed with a problem, then wake up with the solution. It could be about anything.
But this – “Go get an interview suit.” A few weeks earlier the separation from the bank where I had worked for 16 years did not come as a huge surprise. I had been involved in writing a 40-page five-year strategic plan from a 2 page bulleted summary. I knew the plans, but I just wasn’t sure how they would affect me personally in the final analysis. By the time I had received this whisper, the separation had occurred for five of us. The bank was gracious, and it did not come without a level of compensation for our loss in the restructuring. The bank had been good to me.
With the timing of all this right before Christmas, conserving any income in the household was crucial. I had no idea how long I might be a frightening statistic – unemployed. First of all, I reasoned, why invest in an interview suit now? Why not wait until I at least know the date, or if it will even occur? Secondly, I am standing in my closet and could probably piece something together that would work. I hadn’t interviewed in 16 years, and my daily attire was not quite well suited for such a formal meeting.
Lately, I’ve stopped debating. I’m beginning to understand that when He speaks (in strong impressionable ways), my only response is just to do what He says. My husband and I headed to our normal happy place right after Christmas. We don’t exchange sizeable gifts, we just get away for a day or two.
I found it – a dress, jacket, purse, pumps. It had been hanging in my closet since then. I dared Breanna to use the purse! She approved of the entire deal. Apparently, 17-year old daughters don’t want their moms to embarrass the family.
Why did it happen that way? Why, so early? Was it God’s way of encouraging the faith that He instilled in me to begin with? Did He know me so well that He knew I’d be a wreck if I couldn’t find a suit at the last minute? That I’d feel less “put together” if I walked in that interview with something thrown together? Maybe it was that He knew I’d need lots of time to prepare myself for the daunting assignment, and trying to figure out what I’d wear would need to be the least of my worries. Do you ever over-think things? Try to analyze God’s ways?
Matthew 8:8 – “Lord,” the centurion replied, “I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be cured. 9 For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command.[a] I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 10 Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following Him, “I assure you: I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith! (Matthew 8:8-10 – Holman Christian Standard Bible)
We’re in good company. The centurion came to the Lord with a problem, but He did not come without questions and analytics. He knew he was not worthy. He also knew what authority looked like because he himself was a leader, and also under authority. He knew the power of his own words, and thank goodness he came with a faith like nobody’s business. Jesus confirmed it in one phrase – “so great a faith.”
Jesus had just asked him, “Am I to come and heal him?” Am I? From the Great I Am? The centurion came to the right One. The Great I Am could, in fact, heal his servant. But would He?
It strikes me odd that my Maker would have wanted me to have my interview suit hanging in the closet more than two months before some hopeful date that I would slip it on the first time. He has storms brewing. He has political leaders taking their posts. He’s got preachers to prepare for delivery of His message to the people. He cares. He just straight up cares. Just like the centurion, I am unworthy of such affection and concern. If we could only grasp that He cares that much!
The interview is over. All that preparation, and the entire event (travel time, introductions and interview) could not have lasted more than three hours. It was something I had waited for nearly five months, and an offer was tendered before sundown. For the most curious minds, it’s a position in economic development right here at home – a place I love. I could not have dreamed of a better outcome, and there’s more to come! There’s one thing I know for sure. I know it from the top of my head down to the toes that still need a starting spring pedicure – it’s a verse that has marked me for life: “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9a English Standard Version)
I can’t explain it, but on that day I sure felt it. I felt it in the handshakes and welcome. I felt it in how relaxed I was for the duration. I knew it in the prayers that were being offered by my friends and family. I even grasped that every question I was asked was precisely what I could answer with ease, transparency and authenticity. I can’t wait to start the work under the authority of the Great I Am, and the strong support He has afforded me for this leg of my journey. I want to be like the centurion – with “so great a faith.”
Very good! Needed that! We had this in our church Bible study, Sunday! Brought a lot more meaning, hearing your experience!
Thanks Betty! I had the same lesson, only I was preparing to teach the content. Before I could even get a running start with the lesson prep, I was feeling the urge to write a blog about the job opportunity, and the faith it takes to be positive in the wait. After I posted the blog, I later learned from my prep that Christ’s amazement is only displayed twice in scripture – once amazed at the centurion’s faith, and another time, amazed at a group of people and their unbelief. He knew the day I would get that offer, and how it would come to me within hours of my interview. The centurion would not even make it home before his servant would be healed, up and walking. Christ performed the healing “at that very moment.” I love that! Thanks again for commenting – blessings my friend!