Leap of Faith – Part II

In my previous blog, I talked about taking a Leap of Faith as I separated from the military and began looking for a new job in the civilian world. The key point I tried to make was the importance of letting God lead that job search, just as important, listening to the Holy Spirit throughout that process.

If the experience I related last time had been a “one-time-only” type of thing, the lessons learned might not have stuck with me the way they have. But God doesn’t work that way – He is always with us, ready to meet our needs whenever, wherever, and forever.

“And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things are what the nations of the world eagerly seek; and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided to you.” Luke 12:29-31

The graphic design role I had landed from the double-blind newspaper ad quickly evolved into a much larger, corporate communications position. But like most good things, it too came to an end, when six years later, the company was acquired and my role was eliminated.

And so, the job search began again.

But this time, I had six years of experience behind me, as well as a lot of industry connections, so things should be much easier, right? Well, that probably would have been true, except for the fact that this time included the added complication of moving half-way across the country. We had decided to move from Oklahoma City to North Carolina, which meant moving to an area where oil and gas had no footprint and I didn’t know anyone. It was almost like starting over.

Well, almost ...

“God, this time, I kinda know what I’m doing, but that doesn’t change the fact that You must put me where you want me. I’ll continue to do the leg work, but please, Lord, guide my path.”

With this as my constant prayer, I began my job search in the greater Greensboro, North Carolina area. I searched for job openings in the usual places – newspapers and the like, while also scouring online job boards, which had suddenly become all the rage.

I also began reaching out to various organizations that seemed as though they may be a good fit for my skills, experience and overall work style. One of the companies I cold-called was a place called Volvo Trucks North America. I didn’t know much about them, but from what I could see from the highway, their headquarters was quite something, which meant they had to be a good company, right? I set up an “informational” interview with their Marketing Communications Director. The idea behind these types of meetings were simple: just try to make a positive connection, without any agenda or expectations.

While setting up these types of interviews around town, I continued my job search, which led to an interview at a company that created road safety materials (reflective pavement marking materials, etc). The first interview went well, and I was asked back for a second. The second interview also went well, and I was askedee to come back for a third. On the way home from the second interview, however, I began having that same uneasy feeling I had several years earlier after accepting the job as a software instructor. Recognizing this feeling, I needed guidance:

“God, I’ve been unemployed for several months now. I’m not panicking, because I know you are watching over me, but please guide my path. If this is the right place for me, help me get past this feeling. If it is not the right place, help me follow your path so that you can put me where you want me. Not my will, Lord, but yours.”

During the third interview, I could barely pay attention. The pit in my stomach had taken over my entire being. God was letting me know that this was not the place for me.

Let me be clear – this is no reflection on the company or anyone who worked there. Everyone I met had been nothing but kind and welcoming. It was simply the Holy Spirit telling me that He had other plans for me. I completed the interview calmly and politely. They asked me to return for a fourth interview, and while I politely agreed, I knew in my heart that I wouldn’t be back. The next day I called and withdrew my candidacy.

EeIt wasn’t long before I received a call from Volvo Trucks asking me to come in and interview for a Communications Specialist position. I was so excited, I could barely contain myself. God was working great things in my life again!

As part of the interview, I met with the Marketing Communications Director again, along with the VP of Communications. All went well – or so I thought. A few days later I learned that I had not been hired.

“Excuse me? God, what are you doing? I just walked away from a job opportunity that was almost certainly a sure thing, only to get shot down from a much better opportunity. What is going on?”

Moreover, my severance was beginning to run low, and I was getting nervous. But I didn’t stop. I continued praying for God to lead me where He wanted me, and I continued to apply for every opening I could find, while knocking on every door available.

I don’t recall how long it was – perhaps a month, perhaps longer – but I finally got the call. It was Volvo Trucks again. They wanted me to come in again – but this time for a higher-level, Manager position. As it turned out, they had been interested in me from the start, but it had always been for the Manager position, not the Specialist. But, they had to hire the Specialist first, and they thought that it would be a good opportunity to bring me in and meet everyone. My interview for the Manager position wasn’t really an interview at all – it was a discussion about when I could start.

Never doubt that God has a plan for you, even when – especially when – you don’t understand what He’s doing.

“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29: 11-12