During the past 15+ years, I have spent much time honing my skills in the field of Human Resources.  The array of tasks one must learn in the world of HR are varied and more broad than I realized when I jumped into this role all those years ago.

Employers need employees to carry out their mission.  Employees need employers in order to earn a living.  We are, to some degree dependent on one another.  One of our tasks in the HR world is sifting through lots of resumes when we have an open position to fill.  We get pretty good at reading between the lines, picking up on little details and seeing red flags that would knock a candidate out of consideration before they ever get a chance to introduce themselves and shake our hand.   And then it happens.  We find ourselves holding what appears, on paper anyway, to be the perfect candidate.   Professional experience.  Education.  Life experience.  Maturity.  Leadership ability.  Loyalty.  Driven. Accomplished.    However, many hoops must be jumped through before we decide to make them a part of our team.  Interviews.  2nd interviews.  Personality profiles and considerations. Reference checks.  Clean criminal background reports.  A satisfactory credit report.  A LOT OF HOOPS.

THIS IS HOW EMPLOYERS FILL OPEN POSITIONS, BUT IT IS NOT HOW GOD FILLS OPEN POSITIONS.  WHEN GOD EXTENDS HIS HAND TO US WITH AN OFFER TO BECOME A PART OF HIS TEAM, IT IS NEVER CONTINGENT ON CLEAN BACKGROUND CHECKS OR IMPRESSIVE QUALIFICATIONS. 

We could present to God, the perfect resume, with a lot of impressive qualifications.  We could look great on paper.  He would set it aside and say to us “I don’t really care about all of that.  LET’S EXAMINE YOUR HEART.”

In 1st Samuel chapter 16, it is time for Saul to be removed as king over Israel.  The Lord told Samuel to go to Jesse of Bethlehem, for the Lord had chosen one of Jesse’s sons to be king.  In this process Jesse presented 7 of his sons to Samuel, whom Jesse must have thought met the qualifications to be king of Israel.  The Lord rejected all of them.  Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”  Jesse answered, “There is still the youngest, he is tending the sheep.”  Can you hear the tone is Jesse’s voice?   Well …… I have presented to you all of my sons except my youngest, (which was David) and the only thing he knows how to do is tend sheep. He really isn’t qualified for the job.  He isn’t king material. He is not good enough.

But God saw what man could not see.  He saw David’s heart and told Samuel to “Rise and anoint him (David); this is the one.”  (latter part of 1st Samuel 16:12)

Has anyone ever told you that you weren’t good enough?  Maybe this is something you have only felt a couple of times in your life.  Maybe not feeling “good enough” is deeply entrenched in every fiber of your life.  Do you ever feel like God could never use someone like you?  That is what your enemy wants you to cling to.   Satan is a LIAR!   May we never, ever believe the lies that satan whispers in our ears telling us that we don’t have the proper qualifications to be a  part of Gods team.  May we never, ever believe satan when he tries to convince us that our past (or present for that matter) is way to messy and we would never pass the background checks.  May we never, ever believe satan when he tells us there are 7 people who are better qualified for the job than we would ever be.   Incase you missed it the first time, satan is a LIAR.

God is extending an offer to you!  No interview or clear background checks necessary!  Will you accept His offer?  God is offering you the best benefit package you could ever imagine.  God’s benefit package includes the power of the Holy Spirit on this side of heaven (the benefits of the Holy Spirit are to numerous to list here) and eternity with HIM.  If your heart is willing to acknowledge your sin and your need for Jesus Christ to be your Savior, ask Jesus into your heart.  The Heaven’s will rejoice and you will be hired on the spot!  God will provide the training for you to become an effective team member (disciple).  It will all be for your good and His Glory.  He will be the best “boss” you have ever known.

The following is the Lord’s response to Samuel when the Lord rejected the first son of Jesse, that Samuel thought was surely the Lord’s anointed:   But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or the height of his stature, for I have rejected him.  For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”     1st Samuel 16:7

God isn’t dependent on us to carry out His mission.  He doesn’t need us.  However, HE WANTS US!  HE WANTS YOU.  Go to Him with your willing heart and become a part of His team now and for all of eternity!