Simple plan
No time for microwaves
Twelve years ago I needed a job. I had recently finished
graduate school and was sure my new degree was the golden ticket to a writing
job in the media. With no income or place to live, my wife, infant daughter and
I moved into the unfinished basement of my sister and brother-in-law’s cramped
townhouse in downtown Washington, D.C.
Each day I diligently went to interviews, networked, filled
out applications, pored over want ads and wrote cover and thank you letters
— all to no avail. Within two months I was frustrated and disillusioned.
But then came a break.
A friend connected me with a nationally syndicated columnist
who was looking for an assistant.
When I met the columnist he told me the position had been
filled. He then told me how hard it was for followers of Christ to thrive in
the media and explained why they should strive to be the best in every aspect
of their career.
His words were not lost on me, and I appreciated his candor.
But the greatest lesson I learned from him came when he said something that was
sideline to his main point: “There are no microwaves for a career or life.”
The columnist was absolutely right. There are no microwaves
for a career or a life or for anything that is worth pursuing such as:
relationships, financial health, love, God-given visions, a great marriage and
even efforts to share one’s faith.
In most cases all of the aforementioned things take much
time, persistence, attention and prayer. To dismiss such elements fails to take
God’s timing into account.
When it comes to the most worthwhile things in life, do you
want something akin to a microwavable dinner, or do you want a five-course
feast at an excellent restaurant?
If the latter is more to your liking, do yourself a favor
and skip the microwaves.
Kirk Noonan
E-mail your comments to tpe@ag.org.
