You're 'linked in' to God

Two years ago, I found myself in a fairly desperate situation. I really wasn’t sure how I was going to provide for my family after a job situation didn’t work out. I had changed jobs several times in the last few years, and was older than the majority of people in the workforce. On top of that, I was living in Detroit, with a background in the automotive industry. At that time, it appeared that both Detroit and the automotive industry were not the best places to be. I was also “under water” financially on the house that our family had lived in for 11 years, with high student loans for my sons’ college educations, and had used up all my savings and IRA (Individual Retirement Account).

My first response was to start reaching out to my network of friends and colleagues, including my online LinkedIn network of almost 20,000 connections. It really seemed as if the harder I worked at making contacts, gathering leads, and applying for work, the less was happening. My wife and I were also trying to sell our house without any results. We even started looking at moving to other parts of the country, as the Detroit area didn’t look as if it would provide good opportunities.

Finally, the thought came to me, as sunlight breaking through clouds, that it was not my network or connections that mattered. Only one connection really mattered—my connection to God. 

I realized that I was always connected to God and He was my true and only employer. I prayed to know that as God’s “employee,” it is my job to constantly express His qualities. I also realized that this employment is permanent and that I could never be out of His employment, or too old to be valuable. Believe me when I say that I really had to stick with this focus! One thought I found helpful was from the Bible: “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4 ). There were many times I felt disappointed and upset that I was not “good enough” to receive a job offer, which would allow me to provide stability for my family. However, I kept going back to the knowledge that I was God’s employee and “linked in” to God at all times, and that God was the true provider for my family, not me. I like this quote from Mary Baker Eddy’s Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896: “God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for to-morrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment” (p. 307 ). As I became more grateful for the fulfillment that comes from God, appropriate human footsteps appeared before me. It was as if rocks, or stepping stones, were appearing in a stream before me.

While my experience may have seemed dire, I also realized that it was very minor in comparison to what Moses led the children of Israel through as they were escaping from Egypt and wandering in the wilderness. Every time they needed food, they were provided with food; if they needed water, they received water. God provides for us just as much today as He did for those in Bible times, as we listen for His constant direction. This was a time for me to humble myself and listen to God for guidance. 

As I prayed with my family and asked for help from a Christian Science practitioner, we were led through a kind of modern-day wilderness. Every time an obstacle came up, God provided us with the answer. We did not miss any meals, and our sons were able to complete their college experiences. In fact, each time a challenge came up regarding making the next education payment or paying for the next meal, there was a solution at hand. I might also add that a means of acquiring new vehicles opened up twice. And when a job opportunity did come, it wasn’t from my large LinkedIn network. It came in the form of referral from a friend that I had helped to find a job several years earlier. 

This was a time for me to humble myself and listen to God.

It was clear to me that, while following the practical steps of using my LinkedIn network was a reasonable human path, the most important step was to go to God in prayer for guidance. As I continued to rely on God, what could have been objections became strengths during the interview process. For instance, instead of my age being perceived as a barrier to employment, the new employer saw my experience as important for the position they were trying to fill. Instead of my previous job changes being perceived as instability, they saw these changes as building a range of important and diverse connections. Soon, I was accepted for a position with this growing company that really valued my qualities. 

My wife and I were able to sell our house and overcome some last-minute challenges that came up at closing. We found another house and the move date was moved up to match the closing date. I was able to start the new job and receive the first paycheck before our income ran out. (I was so grateful to have been learning that our supply from God never runs out!) Every single step of the way, our family was supported by focusing on the following from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: “At all times and under all circumstances, overcome evil with good. Know thyself, and God will supply the wisdom and the occasion for a victory over evil. Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you. The cement of a higher humanity will unite all interests in the one divinity” (p. 571 ).

I really studied this passage. For instance—“At all times and under all circumstances, overcome evil with good.” This meant to me that regardless of any obstacle that comes up, by relying completely on God and realizing good is supreme and evil has no power to destroy good, I can expect that the situation will be resolved. “Know thyself, and God will supply the wisdom and the occasion for a victory over evil.” Knowing myself means understanding that I am always the child of God, and because of that, God has already given me all I need. “Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you.” Because I am so totally surrounded by divine Love, I cannot be affected by stereotypes about age or qualifications, or skepticism about my capabilities. “The cement of a higher humanity will unite all interests in the one divinity.” All of mankind are united in a common interest to find God and feel linked to divine Love.

I am indeed grateful for this fresh opportunity to renew my relationship with God and discover the wonderful path that has been shown to us by Christ Jesus and Mary Baker Eddy. My family has continued to experience growth through understanding God as our provider.