At times I was little bothered by the fact that these people didn't know who I was. They couldn't get that they were standing in the "presence of greatness". Perhaps I had too much Kanye spinning back then #stronger
I eventually learned that my resume meant nothing especially when it came to ministry unless God wanted it to mean something. What's even funnier though is when you go somewhere and you're a part of the "elect"; however, there's that slight chance that for a quick minute you get treated like the normal people.
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with that, unless it's a part of the protocol for you to be treated differently. In other words I'm not looking for special treatment, but the book calls for this to be the case.
Matthew 13:53-58 (NLT)
53 When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country. 54 He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” 55 Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph,[f] Simon, and Judas. 56 All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” 57 And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.
Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” 58And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.
Social Network Status on September 21, 2011:
(I) walked into the hotel (after having checked in hours before previously) and was sized up. "Hello." 'Hi, do you have a fitness center...you know a gym of some sort? "Yes. Those are for guests only." 'I am a guest.' #tuneChanges (1 Tim 4:8) "Sir you can purchase your stuff over there..." 'She said....I'm an applicant' #tunePermanentlyChanged "Oh...no no, you have to go back to her." Why is it that people look at you and they think they know your story or who you are without even giving you a chance to speak? 'They sizin me up homie'....funny; Jesus came as a mere man and they MISSED him {Psalm 119:98, Matt 13:53-58} SN: Job interview; a yr later...well, couple weeks early but still.
[Excerpt from September 20, 2011]
Tonight I arrived in town for my job interview on tomorrow. I assume that since I had my luggage with me the hotel staff member knew I was checking in. Anytime I need anything I am to tell people, “I’m an applicant”. In and of itself this phrase somewhat cuts out any middle-man type behavior and explains to all around my reason for being there. After spending time with family and arriving back at the hotel without bags and an “Orlando Magic” t-shirt on, I suppose you could say I didn’t belong. I did walk in as if I had been there before which…was true.
I have a quick exchange with another hotel staff member who spoke to me as I was passing by, trying to figure out my next move. I speak but then realize that I don’t know where the gym is, so I back track a little.
At this point it makes you wonder how or why she would think someone just happens to come off the street and ask about a gym or fitness center at 10:15pm. I ask her where it is and she responds in kind. Next, I go to get some snacks since it’s covered by my being an applicant. As the lady who works this mini-restaurant is walking away from her post she says, “You can pay for that over there”, referring to the lady who I had just spoken too.
Me: She said I could pay for this here, I’m an applicant.
HS: Oh, no I can’t handle that here. You have to go back over there.
Tonight I arrived in town for my job interview on tomorrow. I assume that since I had my luggage with me the hotel staff member knew I was checking in. Anytime I need anything I am to tell people, “I’m an applicant”. In and of itself this phrase somewhat cuts out any middle-man type behavior and explains to all around my reason for being there. After spending time with family and arriving back at the hotel without bags and an “Orlando Magic” t-shirt on, I suppose you could say I didn’t belong. I did walk in as if I had been there before which…was true.
I have a quick exchange with another hotel staff member who spoke to me as I was passing by, trying to figure out my next move. I speak but then realize that I don’t know where the gym is, so I back track a little.
Me: Do you have a gym here…
HS: I’m sorry a gym…what do you mean?Me: You know; a gym…like a fitness center?
HS: Yes…it’s for guests only.
Me: I am a guest.
At this point it makes you wonder how or why she would think someone just happens to come off the street and ask about a gym or fitness center at 10:15pm. I ask her where it is and she responds in kind. Next, I go to get some snacks since it’s covered by my being an applicant. As the lady who works this mini-restaurant is walking away from her post she says, “You can pay for that over there”, referring to the lady who I had just spoken too.
Me: She said I could pay for this here, I’m an applicant.
HS: Oh, no I can’t handle that here. You have to go back over there.
Make sure you get your dinner b\c you have until 10:30pm. Use up your allowance.
Back to the other counter I go.
Me: I’m an applicant she said I have to pay for this here.
HS: You only have a few minutes.
Usually we try to serve the applicants before 10pm unless they arrive late….
I’ve seen you walking around here for a while.
Observation: It’s currently 10:20pm and I hadn’t been there for 10min at that time. Plus in all the documentation it states, “You have until 10:30pm.” Since when did you change all the rules, besides the employer is paying for all this!
It’s really interesting because once people find out who you are or why you’re there you become the focus. Why not just treat everyone this way?
Am I really a child that you should tell me I’ve been at the hotel long enough to order my food and that I am “too late” even though that’s not what I was told by the employer OR your coworker who sent me to come back to you after you pretty much told me I didn’t have to see you to pay for this stuff even though I knew I did.
I’ve learned to not mind these kinds of things for the simple fact that they did Jesus the exact same way. Even when people did find out who He was at times their tunes didn’t change. And so to the beat of their own drum they continue marching.
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Another example of my being sized up came during my summer internship.
We had an "exit interview" several weeks prior to our exiting to find out our likes/dislikes about the application process, getting into our jobs and working with our teams/departments. I was a little pissed off/upset with how the process went prior to starting the job. I felt like I was waiting at home for a phone call to come in and start work immediately the next week. I could've been spending (more) time with my family, less time with the person who was a pain in my side at the time and getting some much needed rest.
#canIbeReal
I made a decision to make a comment on the "initiation" process. I was basically responded to as not having paid enough attention because "sometimes students do that". Okay, I get it. A lot of times we overlook things and make mistakes, but I'm too meticulous and hell-bent on excellence to make those kinds of mistakes often. I didn't have a heated exchange with the HR person but I wasn't pleased that I was told to "be quiet" indirectly because I was likened to an undergraduate student who doesn't take care of their responsibilities. (I also went back to verify that I was in contact with everyone throughout my waiting around).
I made a decision to make a comment on the "initiation" process. I was basically responded to as not having paid enough attention because "sometimes students do that". Okay, I get it. A lot of times we overlook things and make mistakes, but I'm too meticulous and hell-bent on excellence to make those kinds of mistakes often. I didn't have a heated exchange with the HR person but I wasn't pleased that I was told to "be quiet" indirectly because I was likened to an undergraduate student who doesn't take care of their responsibilities. (I also went back to verify that I was in contact with everyone throughout my waiting around).
#flashforward
My last day of work I have to turn in some paperwork just in case I decide to come back prior to graduation. I ran into the same HR rep. I told them I was going back to school and continued to be as pleasant as necessary. Here's the kicker. They wanted to know what year I was in school and what school I went too. This is where I let people guess because they are always willing to do that when it comes to age, position in school, and anything you'll let them guess. They did what was expected...
HR: You're a sophomore...junior?
Me: No, I'm a graduate student.
HR: What school?
Me: Carnegie Mellon...
HR: #mouthDrops....#smiles
#takeaway:
You never know WHO you’re talking too…or who they know. It is a small world #believethat
I understand that you didn’t know; I get that…next time be on your best behavior.
In reflecting on this experience all I really have to say is that they'll recognize me the NEXT time (and they did/will).
Sumthn2Ponder (s2p):
- Can you (even) remember when McDonald's introduced the option to "super size"?
- How important is it for people to know who you are?
- Do you know who you are?
In Case You Need It:
