what happened next

The next few episode of that first job interview were really quite interesting.

By the time I got home Friday afternoon, I was actually almost decided that I will never return to that office for a job again. (hyberbole here, please note :D ) However, it was a dilemma as to how I would tell my supposed editor about it. Without any idea what exactly to say, I delayed telling him until I was suppose to be at the office.

Actually, I got no courage to tell him. When my parents arrived Saturday afternoon, I asked my dad to help me compose the most appropriate message to send my "editor" only to realize, I was only in fact in need of moral support. After sending him a thank-you-but-I'm-not-going-to-take-the-job text message, I left my phone at home and headed to the park for a volleyball game with some of my church friends.

Around ten in the evening, I received a response from him. He told me to pray about it and think about being even a researcher for the paper. I thought, since he mentioned something about praying, it was the best time to explain to him that this isn't actually the job God was referring. And this is what he texted me next: "You do not need to wait for manna to come down from heaven. You should labour, work and find it, find it hard."

Now, I've had to admit, I found the message quite amusing in a sense. But instead of making an issue out of it, I reiterated my point that I've prayed about it and I'm backing out.

This is what he told me next: "You are backing out from blessing. I don't get it. There are millions of unemployed Filipinos. I consider my job as blessing. Even Paul work hard and did not rely on offerings."

With that message, I almost flipped. I have no intentions to question whether his job is a blessing or not but the idea that I'm going to be really overworked and underpaid in that company doesn't make it a blessing for me. There will be great experiences for me, I'm sure but the expenses cannot compensate the burden.

At the same time, the manna delivered everyday for the Israelites was not a simple compensation from God. He was the One who brought them out of Egypt despite their contentment of their conditions. God had promised them of a better life, and although the journey for that was not easy, He showed each day that they do not have to work very hard as to have doubts that God was not providing for them. God will always be with them even in the wilderness.

Paul worked hard for God's ministries. His job as a tent maker was a simple detail of the very great mission he had for the Lord. It coincided with God's plans. It should not be taken out of context.

Of course, I could not tell me editor that. I think it would be very disrespectful of me still. Whether it were a form of manipulation or simply sincere, I dare not question. I opted not to reply.

I prayed once more that night and that was when I heard this song.

Sing to me the song of the stars
of Your galaxy, dancing and laughing
and laughing again
When it feels my dreams so far
Sing to me of the plans
that You have for me over again

The best thing that happened to me, I realized I was an Israelite journeying through the wilderness and God has and will be providing me the manna that I needed.