Everyone needs love and care, even if it’s just a hand-made card. It is especially true for one of every 10 American workers who suffer unemployment or underemployment. Think about your neighbors where you live, in your church or at work.
Jesus, when asked about the commandments and eternal life, said…
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 NASB
Jesus was immediately asked a follow-up question similar to one we all might ask.
Who is My Neighbor?
Jesus replied with a story: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.
And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’
Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.” Luke 10:30-37
With this story in mind, think about who you can show mercy to this week. What can you do for someone to show you care?
Beat Up in Your Career?
Maybe you are the one feeling used, abused or refused by your boss or an employer?
Most of us feel not only alone, but hurt and hopeless when job loss or boss brutality strike. These situations not only threaten our financial well being, but also personal and family health – if only someone cared enough to help.
Imagine career care for your wounded work life. Can you find a place where you can be received and get help finding a new job or maximizing your career?
One example of career ministry at its best is Roswell United Methodist Church Job Networking near Atlanta, GA. Over 300 volunteers at this one church practice what is preached about “Loving Your Neighbor.”
In fact they wrote the book called “Loving Your Neighbor: A Faith Community’s Response to the Unemployment Crisis.” Check out this useful resource for ministry.
Find Help and Hope
Crossroads Career Network combines online resources for free registration with on-the-ground ministries to help people find a good job, maximize your career and hear God calling. You can learn about our 7 step process in our workbook. If you want to help us help others, please consider a donation to our ministry.
Comments 2
I had what I thought was a good interview with the owner telling me a follow up would be coming, to meet with a company director. I feel a crescendo of anxiety building in my soul. It’s been 3 business days with no reply. 3 months is the longest I’ve ever been unemployed and it’s an emotional roller coaster ride. I did a follow up, “thank you,” email the next day. Should I follow up again or wait? The longer time goes by, the more I feel discouraged over the possibility of not getting, what seemed like an ideal job for me.
Author
First of all, sorry about being tardy following up with you. Unfortunately, too many employers also do not followup interviews in a timely manner, leaving candidates wondering and worrying. We recommend following up once a week for seven weeks with positive messages about your interest and how you can contribute. You might want to vary your approach – email one week, phone message the next week, perhaps postal mail another week. After seven times with no response, let go. In the meantime, keep on seeking to serve other employers through prayer, personal networking and online search. You are God’s workmanship created for good works!