Help Wanted

He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

-- Luke 10:2

Testing the job market or considering a new career?

With many employers facing shortages of qualified workers, now's a good time to sharpen your skill-set and update your resume. Bloomberg reports that the nation's labor market began the year on a strong note, with wage gains accelerating amid better-than-expected hiring. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve's February 2018 Monetary Policy Report reveals that we're near--or even beyond--full employment levels.

Good help may be hard to find these days, but employers are still looking for experienced, can-do candidates who meet some exacting criteria. Those who fail to impress and excel in some categories face the reality of not making it to that critical second interview.

Your first hurdle is to prove to the interviewer that you can do the job. What's more, employers have to decide if they like you. Even if you're well-qualified, you probably won't get the job if they think you lack the right chemistry. They also want to know if you're a risk. In other words, do you have a record of jumping from job to job every few years? And do you have a reputation for being difficult to manage? Finally, you must be affordable. Although the job market is tight, employers will eliminate you from the running if they think your salary demands are unreasonable.

Corporations aren't the only ones with high standards for their team members. For example, Christ-followers are tasked with preparing God's Kingdom and being a bright light in a dark, troubled world. And since it's such an important job that can yield eternal, life-changing rewards, only certain candidates are considered. First, they must be available on an as-needed basis. (Expect to work some weekends and holidays!) They also need to be obedient and follow the Boss' (Jesus) instructions--even if they don't always make sense at the time. Effective Christ-followers must also be humble in their work and share the credit whenever it's due. Overtime and sacrifice are a given. And to top it off, they must display initiative and be on the lookout for opportunities to help their customers (neighbors)--both local and foreign.

Is it any wonder that most people won't respond to Christ's help wanted ad? To quote the U.S. Navy's old recruiting slogan, "It's not just a job, it's an adventure." Here's how Luke's gospel records Jesus' words to his would-be candidates:

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it."

Landing a job can be hard--even in a vibrant, growing economy. But here's some good news: Jesus is recruiting right now for his organization's growing team. And many of his highest-producers never had experience in the field. Yes, the working conditions aren't always ideal. But there are plenty of rewards along the way. What's more, the retirement plan is out of this world.