Are you a life-giver?

Our professional researcher for the Back to Work! book project, Steve Kipp, had this to share about what it means to be a life-giver:

Steve Kipp

This is a marvelous time to become a people-investment person—and to really mean it. Don’t get lost in the temptation only to network because of the eventual “boomerang” effect upon yourself in landing a future job.

We need to ask ourselves as we network, what’s the difference between Christian job searchers networking and the rest of the world? Do we take it seriously that it’s better to give than receive?

As we search for jobs, are we mindful of others’ qualifications and specific job types and do we forward them leads we have? Do we practice Galatians 6:10—“do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”—both as networkers and as people in positions to hire?

Use a multi-faceted job search approach. Don’t rely upon single methods, and curb over-reliance on want ads, online posted notices, job boards, and job fairs. Develop an all-out “new media” approach—business cards to hand out at networking events and job fairs; a brochure about yourself; offer your networking “teammates” Web link opportunities, etc., to show you are a team player; aWeb site blog page or promotional page about who you are, your accomplishments, your vision, etc.

Beware the self-help gurus. Some of their message is based upon visualization techniques, “awakening your dream” as if you were a New Age realization adherent. These gurus focus on reinventing yourself using human potential movement, self-ist and/or New Age principles. Unfortunately, these overwhelm the Borders and Amazon and Barnes & Noble shelves.

Too many hungry job seekers, in trying to “reinvent” themselves or recover a lost identity or damaged self-esteem, embrace these self-help gurus’ suggestions uncritically. These advisers too often teach unrealistic positive thinking, failing to take into account economic realities. In the process they promote self-actualization and “it’s all about me”—the same kind of thinking that motivates thousands of wannabe American Idols to audition with no real chance of success.

And they encourage excessive self-absorption. Yes, unemployed job seekers need to take serious inventory of their strengths and weaknesses. But who does the vocational “calling”? You? Or God?

Often, our “ministry” has more to do with our co-workers than the actual job we’re doing. We need to continue to hear God’s voice through prayer, people, circumstances, divine appointments, etc.

Authors Dan Miller, John Maxwell, Bob Buford, and others all have some excellent things to say about using this opportunity to focus on significance (impact upon others), meaning, satisfaction, and fulfillment. This comes out best through serving others and being preserving salt and expressive light in the world, moving away from always attempting to attach a legalistic paycheck compensation to all of our service.

Even when we land a job, don’t forget the people we met while networking, especially those outside of Christ. They need encouraging, gospel-focused, Word-based follow-up—and just plain friendship, especially those still looking.

Through this process, we’ve not only found a job, but a new “ministry” among fellow networkers. Volunteer at an unemployment support group to pass on all the job-hunt knowledge and resources and referrals you’ve just acquired.

Be a good steward of the pain you endured, because 2 Corinthians 1 says the comfort we received during our time of unemployment wasn’t meant exclusively for us, anyway; it was meant for us to  promptly pass on to others. Also, help other strugglers financially after you’ve regained your job balance.

We often have to first die to our self-made dreams and embrace His new vision for where He is taking us. Too many of us prefer to remain in holy huddles where fellow Christians have nurtured us.

It’s time to become “sent-ones”—the literal meaning of “apostles.” He is sending us into new frontiers of unreached people groups—what used to be called “pagan gentiles.” Those folks are now our co-workers and potential co-workers, unique worthy people whom our Lord loves dearly.