Monday, June 1, 2020

You Started It!


By Alan Smith

    Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources person asked the young MBA fresh out of MIT, "And what starting salary were you looking for?"
    The candidate responded, "In the neighborhood of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package."
    The HR person said, "Well, what would you say to a package of 5-weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, company matching retirement fund to 50% salary, and a company car leased every two years - say a red Corvette?"
    The graduate sat up mouth agape and said, "Wow! Are you kidding?"
    And the HR person responded, "Certainly.....but you started it!"
    That's the trouble with a lot of young people today (I never thought I would be old enough to say that!) -- they want to start at the top and work their way up from there.
    We as Christians are sometimes the same way, though. We want what's at "the top" without going through what lies below. For example, we want patience (and we want it right now!), but we don't want the trials that develop patience. We'd rather start at the top.  James said, "My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience." (James 1:2-3, NCV)
    Have you prayed for patience lately? You need to expect that God will give it to you immediately. And, on top of that, you will never have any problems in life at all. None! Everything will always go smoothly. You'll suffer no injustices, experience no heartaches, and never know what it means to fail. Am I kidding? Certainly........but you started it!
    May the troubles you experience today lead you toward patience and maturity in the days to come (no kidding!).
    Have a great day!

- Alan Smith, author of the popular "Thought For Today," and minister for the Cruciform Church of Christ in Spring Lake, North Carolina, may be contacted at alansmith.servant@gmail.com or through the congregation's website: http://www.cruciformcoc.com/

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