Published 10/2/19
By Greg Johnson
What If...
Mom, you have been working at the same company for many years. It’s been a good job because it’s kept Dad from having to work a lot of overtime. Plus, the money has come in handy for summer vacations, braces and the holidays.
For months now you’ve been hearing rumors that your company is preparing to cut back on employees to save money. While a few people have been let go, you’ve been told that your job is secure. That’s always good news, because the town you live in doesn’t have many jobs for a person with your skills.
One Friday, just as you’re getting ready to leave, your boss calls you into his office. He doesn’t look happy, and you get that sick feeling in the bottom of your stomach.
“I’m afraid I have some bad news,” he says in a low voice. “The company has made some further cutbacks. They told me to let people go based strictly on how long they’ve worked here. Though you’ve been here for quite a while, there are over fifty others who have been here longer. Your number just came up. I’m sorry.”
Though you’re shocked, you’re not mad at your boss. You know it’s not his fault. You thank him for being a good guy, then walk out.
Driving home, you don’t know exactly how you’re going to break it to the family. You realize what this type of setback means. The prospects of finding another job right away are pretty bleak.
When you walk in the door, we kids are watching TV while Dad is changing his clothes upstairs.
Questions to Think On
• What would you do first when you arrived home?
• Have you ever faced this type of major disappointment before? How did you respond?
• On a scale of one to ten, how bad would this actually be on the “disaster” meter?
• How do you think God could use this for good?
What Does God Have to Say?
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 6:10-12
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
(c)
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