When this month ends, another batch of graduates (the Octoberians) shall form part of the countless wanna-be employees in various companies. There will be a flurry of resume-making and application letter writing.
Way back in college, I remember we would take pains in crafting our resume or curriculum vitae. We had to draft and re-draft just so they would appear clean and distinguished. We would also bring letters of recommendations to support what we wrote in our resumes.
Fast forward to the 21st century and the age of technology and instant food and automated process. Resumes are now forms for sale or an online template ready to be downloaded.
As an ex-HR practitioner, I would receive so many resumes from job applicants and it was frustrating to see how they have come to look the same through the years. An applicaiton letter is supposed to showcase a person’s skills, experience and character but the ready forms now appear lifeless and boring now. And when letters of recommendations were seriously sought before, employers don’t ask for them anymore because of various online and communication channels to use for background checking.
And because resumes and letters of recommendation can be made up, some employers may not read them anymore but depend more on performance after trial works or on the job training to see the real stuff that an applicant is made of.
From the work setting, let’s check our personal lives. Do we really need resumes and letters of recommendations to prove to other people who and what we are? Papers won’t do it. As the trite expression goes: Actions speak louder than words. So how have we lived as a parent, a child, a sibling, a neighbor, a co-worker or a public servant?
In St. Paul’s sermons to the people of Corinth (2 Corinthians 3: 1-6), he asked:
“ ….do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our1 hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”
The last line touched me deeply. We are the best letter of recommendation from God and we deliver it ourselves, not by any courier.
In my simple understanding, this Bible passage reminds us to be living testaments of God’s love and presence. Sadly, the pressures of the world have transformed people to show selfishness, pride, envy and hate more than the godly traits that God has written in our hearts for us to be. Why do we think people kill others and even themselves, fight over worldly treasures, neglect families or crave for fame , wealth and popularity at the expense of others?
I can feel God looking down on us and shaking His head at what we have become. I can imagine Him asking, “I have made you in my image and likeness and my Spirit is living in you. But who have you become? “
I remember what God said of Job when the devil told Him he was roaming around the world watching people. God proudly said, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”( Job 2:3)
To God, Job is his best letter of recommendation about who His creation is. No need to fill out a form to boast of Job. No need to write on tablets of stone who Job is. Job simply lived a life following God’s will. Even when the devil took away all his possessions, killed his family, and oppressed him with illness, Job’s heart was still with God. Truly, he showed his godly character even in heavy suffering. And God vindicated him in the end-–brought him back to prosperity and good health. The devil fled in frustration.
Do you want the evil one to leave you alone? Do you want to receive the blessings you’ve been praying for? The secret is to be a living gospel of God. Your life and your character must inspire others, not frustrate them; our words must inspire not put people down; our actions testify of God’s unconditional love not promote self-centeredness. This is how God wants us to reflect Him as our Creator.
If you’re a job applicant, the best letter of recommendation and resume you can show are your good manners, humility and patience as you go about job-hunting.
If you’re a working professional, your long list of accomplishments are nothing if your heart is full of pride, envy and selfishness.
Letters of recommendations from rich and famous relatives can’t prove that you’re the greatest parent to your children but your integrity, understanding and love for them.
And if you’re the son or a daughter, the best letter of recommendation to give out is your respect , honor and obedience to your parents.
God said it through St. Paul: Ourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. So let’s make sure we shine for him in this lifetime.