September 10, 2008
The Interview
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved,” (Acts 16:31 (NKJV)
Friend to Friend
My palms were slightly sweaty, yet calm. My posture was poised, yet not stiff. My dress was conservative, yet fashionable. I waited in a small room lined with bookshelves, diplomas, and awards. A mammoth wooden desk dwarfed my small chair positioned in the center of the interrogation room.
It was my first job interview. After completing Dental Hygiene School and passing both State and National Boards, I was ready to cross over the bridge to the land of the employed. Even though Dr. Ford (the man who would decide my professional destiny) seemed somewhat intimidating, I felt fairly confident. My GPA was excellent and board scores commendable. I was ready for anything this guy had to throw at me. Let the games begin, I mused. And so they did.
“What was the last book you read?” he asked.
“Reviewing for National Boards and The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis.” I replied.
“What did you eat for breakfast this morning?” he questioned.
“Coffee cake and milk,” I answered.
“What’s your least favorite household job?”
“Dusting.”
“What would you do if you bought a set of living room furniture and it went on sale the next day?”
“Return it and buy it back again at the sale price.”
This line of rapid fire questioning went on for forty-five minutes. For each question, I shot back an honest response. But all the while I was thinking, “What’s this got to do with dentistry? Is this what I’ve studied so hard for?”
After a few more minutes of chit-chat, Dr. Ford leaned forward, and with a sincere smile said, “Sharon, we would like for you to join our team.”
I was shocked! In my naiveté, I looked my prospective boss in the eye and asked, “Aren’t you even going to ask me what kind of grades I made in school?”
With that, Dr. Ford threw back his head and filled the room with thunderous laughter. With a twinkle in his eye he answered, “I imagine they were pretty good.”
I could feel the color start at the end of my toes and rise to the top of my head. How did that comment escape my practiced lips? How could I say such a thing!? I wanted to crawl under my chair and never come out.
Thus began my career in dentistry. I learned a lot over the next few years, but perhaps the most important lesson took place in the interview. What I discovered was that Dr. Ford was much more interested in my character than my credentials. He was more concerned with what was in my heart than my head. Even though the questions seemed pointless to me, they spoke volumes about my life choices in common everyday situations to him.
I imagine my final interview with The Boss of the Universe will have many similarities, because He also is more concerned with my character than my credentials, and with what’s in my heart than in my head. For that last interview He will ask one question: “Do you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that I raised Him from the dead?”
“Yes, I do,” I’ll reply.
“Then come on in,” He’ll say with a smile. “That’s all the credentials you need.”
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for Jesus. I am so glad that I don’t have to try to earn my way to heaven, but that Jesus did it for me. I am so thankful that when you look at me, You see the righteousness of Christ. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
Do you ever fall into the trap of thinking that you have to earn God’s love and acceptance?
If so, where do you think that faulty thinking comes from?
What does “saved by grace” mean to you?
If God were to ask you why He should let you into heaven, what would you say? If you’re not sure, Click here to find out more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
More from the Girlfriends
Don’t you just love seeing God’s fingerprints on the pages of your life? If so, you’ll love Sharon’s new devotional book, Extraordinary Moments with God. This small padded hardback book is the perfect gift for someone you love – or just for yourself!
Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com