HELP WANTED?
Are you a newspaper reader? There are still newspaper readers in the land of "multi-media, aren't there? Or, has the bandwidth and airwaves choked all the ink out of our systems?
In our little part of the world, the local newspaper is still very much alive. Almost everyone I know reads the St. Stephen Courier because it gives you the local news better than any other source. Where else are you going to find what's going on in downtown Letete, or Black's Harbour, or Wawig? Where else are you going to see pictures of the local high school basketball team or Uncle Steve's pumpkin that resembles Tom Hanks - if you look at it just right!
Personally, I find it appealing that someone has to write the news, rather than just report it. I'm not much of a fan of news-as-it-happens. I'd rather the news be thought about and verified and processed a bit before it's thrown our way. Sometimes, instant news is really instant misinformation!
I know lots of elderly people who open the paper and the first thing they look at are the obituaries. One lady in our congregation once said, "I check the obituaries first thing each morning to see if my name is there. If it isn't, I know I have to get up!"
I, being the deep person that I am, head straight for the comics. If I'm in a particularly pensive mood, I'll read the editorial cartoon. I know, now you are completely impressed with my level of maturity! Thanks for the vote of confidence!
The other day, someone sent me this Want Ad from the Financial Post (Toronto, Feb 23, 2001). All that accompanied this most original ad is the question: "Would you hire this man?" I ask the same question as you read the ad.
- Employment Wanted
- Former Marijuana Smuggler
Having successfully completed a ten-year sentence, incident-free, for importing 75 tons of marijuana into the United States, I am now seeking a legal and legitimate means to support myself and family.
- Business Experience
Owned and operated a successful fishing business, multi-vessel, one airplane, one island and processing facility. Simultaneously owned and operated a fleet of tractor-trailer trucks conducting business in the western United States. During this time, I also co-owned and participated in the executive level management of 120 people worldwide in a successful pot smuggling venture with revenues in excess of US $100 million annually. I took responsibility for my actions and received a ten-year sentence in the United States, while others walked free for their cooperation.
- Attributes
I am an expert in all levels of security. I have extensive computer skills, am personable, outgoing, well-educated, reliable, clean and sober. I have spoken in schools to thousands of kids and parent groups over the past ten years on "The Consequences of Choice" and received public recognition from the RCMP for community service. I am well-traveled and speak English, French and Spanish. References available from friends, family, the U.S. District Attorney, etc.
Now, you don't see that kind of a resume every day, do you? Would you hire this person? I would have to meet him first, but if he measured up to what he has written, then I most certainly would hire him!
Let's face it; this guy has to be well-organized and very smart to have run such a successful "business". After all, if the regular corporate world is dog-eat-dog, I hate to think about the kind of competition with which this guy had to deal in the dog-sniff-truck world! But as impressive as his skills are, they aren't what draw me to him.
Maybe you'll think I am a bit crazy. "Grant, you're a preacher! You are a mouthpiece for God's Word! What are you doing talking about hiring an ex-con-drug dealer?" Well, before I answer that question, read the ad over again. There is a phrase contained therein that sticks out like plaid pants in a wedding party!
And what, pray tell, is this golden phrase? The phrase in question are the magical words, "I took responsibility for my actions." Say those words over three times, click your ruby slippers and, Toto, we're back in Kansas! How rare these words have become! Instead of people taking responsibility for their actions, we usually we hear words like, "I didn't do it!" Or, "It was my environment" Or, "It's my mother's fault" Or, "The devil made me do it." How refreshing it is to realize that someone knows they did something wrong, then they took responsibility for their actions, and finally paid for their mistakes. Better still, he now talks to kids and tells them to learn from his mistakes! Wow! In the land of the Spirit, this is what we call a spiritual touchdown. To take responsibility for our actions; to realize that we have done things that deserve punishment-this is the fuel of humility. Understanding and appreciating our culpability is the foundation for also appreciating the gracious mercy of God. Such appreciation is the seed from which humility and faith grow.
More to the point, if we understand that our actions have reactions for which we are responsible, I would hope that we would think a lot more before doing something that's just plain stupid! Sometimes people think that somehow God's forgiveness not only removes the penalty for sin, but the consequences as well. Sorry, folks, that just ain't so.
Just look at King David's life if you don't believe me. He was forgiven for his assorted sins with Bethsheba, but he still lost a son and had a dismal home life because, even though his sins were forgiven, the consequences and reactions to those sins, remained behind-haunting and crippling his effectiveness as a father.
On his way to prison, Chuck Colson became a Christian, but that didn't stop him from having to pay the price for the consequences of his illegal actions-even though God had forgiven them. Forgiveness, no matter how sweet and precious, does not remove the pain and effects of our sins. We would do well to remember this fact.
I wonder if the man in question got any response to his ad in the Financial Times? I imagine that there are many who would look at this man's ad as a joke. Many more probably wouldn't consider taking the risk of trusting someone with his background. Myself, I would rather hire this man than the usual run of the mill applicant whose greatest crime may be the padding of his or her resume.
Perhaps it's the preacher in me, but I see second chances behind every door. I know that second chancers often shine better than those who still have their first kick at the can. I know God can take a sinner, who is honest about their sin, and turn them into a joyous saint. I know because I've seen it happen over and over again. I know because it happened for me, and it can happen for you. It all starts by being honest with Jesus and admitting that you are responsible for your sin. If you can do that, you've taken that important first step to being well on your way to a new heavenly occupation.
If you would like to know more about how to become a Christian, or if you are a Christian who is struggling right now and needs to talk, just click on my name at the bottom of this page. As always, I welcome all thoughts and responses to my Whatchas. If you write, I promise to write back.
