January 10, 2017
Your Final Interview
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10, ESV).
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. I wonder if you remember yours.
After completing Dental Hygiene School and passing both State and National Boards, I was ready to cross over the bridge from student to 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?” he volleyed.
“Dusting,” I returned.
“What would you do if you bought a set of living room furniture and it went on sale the next day?” he shot.
“Return it and buy it back again at the sale price,” I returned fire.
This line of rapid fire questioning went on for forty-five minutes. For each question, I offered an honest reply. But all the while I was thinking, “What does this have to do with dentistry? Is this what I’ve studied so hard for?”
After a few more minutes of chitchat, 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. Did I really say that out loud? How did that comment escape my practiced lips? I wanted to crawl under my chair and never come out.
Thus began my career as a dental hygienist. 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—what was in my heart than what was in my head. Even though the questions seemed pointless to me, they spoke volumes to him about my life choices in common everyday situations.
And today, I’m thinking about my final interview…and your final interview…the one where the keeper of the Pearly Gates asks the important questions. See, God’s not going to ask about our accomplishments here on earth. He’s not interested in worldly credentials.
For that last interview He will ask you one question: “Do you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that I raised Him from the dead?”
That’s the answer that counts.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV).
What about you? What will your answer be?
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You that Jesus took on human flesh, and gave His life as a sacrifice for my sin. I am so grateful that I don’t have to try to earn my way to heaven, but that Jesus did it for me. 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
Have you been so busy taking care of life’s daily tasks that you’ve forgotten to focus on your love? Have kids, work or other obligations taken all your time and left you with little energy for your marriage? Has the routine of chores and responsibilities left you wondering what happened to the romance you shared in the early years? If so, it's time to spice up your relationship and rekindle the passion. For all the married GiGs, my latest book is finally here: A 14-Day Romance Challenge. It is the expanded print version of the previous eBook with double the content and over 250 ways to romance your husband.
Seeking God?
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