After refreshing my resume for a job recently, I began to think about all the other applicants this company must have. I thought of how qualified they might be and how much experience they have in this field, also how unqualified I am. My hopes spiralled downwards until I was in a pit of self-doubt and too scared to hand in my resume at the thought of how unlikely it was that I would actually get this job.
Giant faith
I thought about David from the Bible and what would have happened if he didn’t go head to head with Goliath. The answer is nothing. Nothing would have happened. He wouldn’t have become a legendary war hero or the greatest King Israel ever had. He would have been the shepherd that he was as a boy, and probably lived a quiet life totally ignorant to the great things God had for him.
After sizing myself up against a giant such as Goliath, I don’t know if I would have taken that chance. I’d start listing all the negatives like: he is over 9ft tall; I have no sword; I have no shield; no experience; I’m unqualified; everyone’s laughing at me; and I’ll probably die. In this case, as far as David could see, the cons far outweighed the pros, but a faith in God as solid as the stone in his hand, secured a bright future for David.
Steve Jobs
The word opportunity can sometimes be limited to a rare occasion or chance, which is true, but for the most part, opportunities occur every minute. In the biography written by Walter Isaacson on Apple founder, Steve Jobs, he mentions the issues Jobs had with other kids as a child. Being abandoned by his parents and then adopted not long after birth, Jobs had a memory of sitting on his lawn at the age of six or seven with the girl from across the street as she asked questions about his adoption most inquisitively. “So does that mean your real parents didn’t want you?”
With these thoughts in his head at such a young age he had the potential to believe he was not worth anything. Faced with the daily opportunity to let his past take over his future, Jobs later mentioned that he never felt abandoned or unloved and certainly never let it get to him.
Apathetic way to be
There are a few reasons why myself and others might find ourselves not taking opportunities. One of the most common is that it will include being proactive, which many people have an issue with. Thomas Edison said: “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like hard work.” I’m sure we have all waved goodbye to an opportunity because of its outward appearance and possibly the risk of our own comfort.
The other popular reason apathy gets a hold of us is through the excuse: ‘A better opportunity will come along’ which is a justification for doing nothing. Luke chapter 16 verse 10 says: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
If an opportunity doesn’t seem like much it could be the stepping stone to a better one and a chance to prove that you are capable.
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”— Martin Luther King Jr
And following his advice, I decided to take the first step and submit my resume. Perhaps the next step will appear soon.
Jesse Moore draws from the Bible and classical literature for insight into life’s tough questions. He is currently studying at university to become a film-maker.
Jesse Moore’s previous articles can be viewed at: https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/jesse-moore.html