When I graduated from college in May, I expected to find a job within a week. After all, I had been applying for jobs for months. I had had several interviews. I had crafted a professional resume and packed it with as much as I could.
Still, it took me two months—two very long months—to find a job after graduating from college. I was definitely giving up hope, but I kept applying for positions and having interviews and receiving autogenerated rejection emails. I felt so behind. Was my feeling of “behind-ness” normal?
Not What I Expected
As I’ve said so many times in so many blog posts, my dream is to be an author and speaker. But in my job search, I began to realize that there are very few writing jobs available with good pay and good benefits. So I began to apply for jobs related to communications, marketing, administration, human resources, and other “tolerable” fields. I figured that the combination of my business major and my communications major, as well as my GPA and job experience, would lead me to the right job within days of finishing college.
I was wrong.
Although I was technically offered a job or two, I turned them down because they weren’t a good fit. So I wallowed in self-pity. I complained to my family and friend—and to God.
Unwilling to Trust
To be honest, I was very angry with God for not providing a job for me the day after I received my college diploma.
“I’ve done my part,” I told God. “I’ve filled out the applications, gone to the job interviews, and prayed for good results. Why are You keeping this job from me? I know that You could’ve given me an amazing job months ago. So why didn’t You?”
“Do my bachelor’s degree, GPA, work experience, volunteer experience, and relevant skills have zero value?” I continued whining to Him. “Why did I bother going to college if I wasn’t going to get a good job as a result? Why did I bother finding internships and summer jobs if none of them were going to impress employers? Why did I bother reading my textbooks, writing lengthy research papers, and studying for exams if my GPA was going to have zero impact on my ability to find a legit job?”
I didn’t hear the faintest audible response from Him. I just heard other people telling me to be patient and trust Him. Turns out, they were right.
If He Hears the Ravens’ Cries
It is He who covers the heavens with clouds, who provides rain for the earth, who makes grass sprout on the mountains. It is He who gives an animal its food, and feeds young ravens that cry. He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His faithfulness. (Psalm 147:8-11 NASB)
God doesn’t need my degree, my GPA, job experience, or skills to provide a great job for me. Those are gifts and opportunities that He has allowed me to have, and He can use those things for my good and His glory. But He definitely doesn’t need them.
You don’t have to pick the perfect major or achieve a 4.0 GPA or volunteer at every local nonprofit to find a career after you graduate from college. I personally think that earning a bachelor’s degree is the best move for most people. But God doesn’t need you to earn your bachelor’s degree to provide food and shelter for you. The ravens are dependent on Him for everything they need, and He hears their cries of hunger. We need His provision, too.
Our strength, skills, and successes are irrelevant. Only His sovereignty is. He’ll be faithful to you, as He has always been faithful to you. Make that your main concern, not your resume.
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