“What are your qualifications?” the job interviewer asks. Really he means
what is your education, do you have a degree, in what, and we really want a
Masters, or an MBA. What, to sell hardware? But that is what it has come down
to anymore, raise the bar, the requirements, and eliminate the applications
received. Experience, you ask? “We’ll train you,” meaning we’ll tell you how
and what we ant from you. Perform all the tricks and you’ll get a treat. So we
hear phrases like “top 10 in his class,” or a list of recommendations, best
attendance, best attitude, best notebook, best bank account, or best butt
kisser. Moving them to the call back for a second interview pile. When they
have shown nothing more than the ability to meet the requirements, but show
nothing at all that they can do the job. Sorry, I forgot, they’ll train
you.
And so it is, and experience doesn’t have the same ring to it that it once
had. They don’t want free thinkers, or those who get ‘er done, they want those
who obey and meet quotas-just like they learned in school. But never got an
education, because the same yo-yo doing the interviewing went to the same school
as the applicant. And low expectations receive lower results. And everyone is
happy, except the exceptional, who are what we should be looking for. To much
education, but no learning required. Application-do what you are told. Thanks,
we’ll get back to you.
I don’t like titles, and only use them if needed, I am not impressed,
sorry. So when asked, I use chaplain. And it answers a lot of questions they
don’t have to ask. Then eh stumper, “where did you go to school?” When I
mention high school, they mean college, your degrees. Sorry, just some college,
and years of experience. And the holy spirit. Which either gives me
credibility, or makes me recognizable as a nut. And in a leather jacket, and
long hair, I don’t look the chaplain type, fortunately. And when a nurse one
day accused me of that, another stepped in and told her that when not everyone
is impressed by titles, ties, or degrees. Some want results, and I was able to
get them. When some were asked if they wanted a chaplain, they answered no, but
when offered a biker, said yes. And like the biker who asked me to do his
wedding, when I asked why he told me “you’re a biker so I trust you, and you’re
a Christian so you’ll know what to do.” He didn’t say because you’re a
Christian I’ll trust you, interesting. And although I have gone through classes
in being a chaplain, the last one I attended half way through it the head
chaplain told me I was wasting my time-“you don’t need to be here, you’re a
natural.” And showed me that by not being affiliated with any hospital, not on
staff or even by volunteering, I could go more places, see more things, and
minister in the name of Jesus because I had no ties to hold me back. So if
asked which hospital, I just say I work within many of them, without the hassle
of working for any of them. Same in my prisoner ministry. While others do
prison ministry, I do prisoners, more personal. And because I have no religious
affiliation, there again I am not a threat to any established program, and can
work within the boundaries, those that God allows, and see more results. And it
is the results we are after isn’t it? Sorry if just Mike doesn’t impress, it
still makes my dog wag her tail. And my motorcycle isn’t impressed when I open
the throttle by titles, it just hopes I know how to ride. So by meeting the
needs, rather than the requirements, I get more done, with less hassle, and meet
more people, just like the man who influenced me and my decision to go into
ministry.
You may know Him, Jesus Christ. He too was not into titles, and always did
what His Father in heaven asked Him to do. What a concept, asking and receiving
from a loving God? And it has worked for over 2000 years for all who seek Him
first, then respond. Who have come to not care who gets the credit, as long as
the job gets done. Who are more impressed with results, and quality than
quantity. Men and women doing simple, but great things for God, al without the
burden of an education. And today when over 50% coming out of seminary, or
cemetary as I call it, not believing in God, you can see where society both
inside and outside of the church is going. But God looks at things
differently. From Abraham, to Moses, to Rahab, to Gideon, to Elijah, to any of
the prophets, we see them knowing God, personally, with no diploma to prove it.
But yet food enough to be recorded in the Bible. Maybe the best degree you’ll
ever earn. How about the 12 disciples, did you know that Judas was the only
educated one, in banking? And who blew it? A banker. Wonder what his FICO
score was? Good enough to buy a car maybe, just not to get into heaven. And so
as you go today, ask God hwo you can be more qualified. How can I see more
blessings, and be more of a blessing. It starts with Jesus, and who He is to
you. And being guided by the spirit. When god gets the glory, you get the
blessings. And only do what He asks-no more. You may be qualified, but the
Lord has different plans. Gideon never was a soldier, yet won a war with fat,
overweight guys who couldn’t bend over to drink. Rahab was a whore. Paul was
in jail-three strikes offender. David played slap and tickle with his best
friend’s wife, and murdered him, but God still called him “ a man after His own
heart.” He saw David, not as the world did, and despite his record, still had
great things for him to do. Just like He does for you.
It has been said that fools rush in where angels fear to tread. God has
made us better than the angels, and when we walk with Him, and in Him, we fear
no evil. If you follow His course, you will win. The battles may be tough, but
you will win. And come away marveling at how God won the battle-even despite
you! Jesus met the needs, without the requirements. He was a carpenter, no
training in theology. Yet He changed the world as no other has or will, He
asked God first. And then obeyed out of trust and love. An example for all of
us without the requirements. Meeting needs for over 2000 years with a simple
formula, not taught in any school, but written on our hearts. You may have a
master’s degree, but I know the master. You may have the diploma, but I have
the holy spirit. I’ll put His reputation against yours any day. See a need,
and fill it, a simple recipe for ministry. Do it in love, and watch as Jesus
changes lives, even yours. Even giving you all the answers for the final
exam-the answer for that, as it is for all your problems is still Jesus. No
wonder the Pharisees hated Him, and they still do us today. In Christ you will
get results they never can, or will. What are your qualifications? Jesus never
asked. Find that out first hand today. Success guaranteed at the cross.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com