How did you break into your career or first job? Did a lecturer help you get an internship? Did a security guard slip your CV into the building? Did an uncle (for real) call up their friend who knows someone at company Z and get you to meet the boss?
Once you were in the job, did some hold your hand, show you the ropes, tug you to lunch, introduce you to your first clients?
Truth be told, few, if any of us, are self made. I got my first job because my father knew someone who needed an office/editorial assistant and he pushed my name. I got an internship in an organisation where I knew no one because a lecturer seconded me. On my first day on the job, one person took me along on an assignment and shared the credit with me. I got my first byline in a national newspaper. It was day one and I was shining because someone gave me a break. I got several other jobs because someone mentioned my name in a room I wasn’t in. Are those the ones called destiny helpers? Thank you my destiny helpers.
However, some people have it harder. They finish school and there’s no one to forward them job opportunities, distribute their CV or mention them to a recruiter or write their recommendation letters. They join an organisation and there is no one to hold their hand, show them the ropes or even take them to lunch to show them the best kibandaski.
There was that story in Kenyan media a few years ago about a girl who got an A- in KCSE 15 years ago but did not get her placement letter to the university. Consequently she was hustling at home, fighting poverty to raise her kids and her siblings. I was mad at her, at her entire village, location and county. Surely there was no one with the ability to open doors for this promising young girl? No one knew her? No one could push her cause? Not even an old school teacher or distant relative?
Later Kenyan hotelier Mohamed Mersi posted a biting critique on how Kenyan professionals are not offering internship opportunities to students who desperately need these to graduate.
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered, Proverbs 11:25 says.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. (Proverbs 3:27).
Are you holding the door open for someone who also needs to be in the room? Are you pulling someone on your way up? Are you seeing someone’s potential and mentioning their name in rooms they are not in?
Are you the friend who bursts open a roof to get their paralysed friend to Jesus?
Are you creating opportunities for others or you are like the Pharisee who do not get in and won’t let others also go in?
How are you spreading kindness?
How can you be an answer to someone’s prayer? Are you able to give someone a chance to learn or allow them start from scratch or try out something new? Are you able to extend grace to people starting out or who want to start afresh? Are you able to teach them a few tricks of the trade or just be patient with them as they navigate new spaces?
We lose nothing by pulling up another. And by helping others get to the mountain top, we too get there. Scripture has many exhortations on doing the good we are able to do.
“Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you,” Jesus said.
“Do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
Isaiah 1:17
Ask and it will be given
I realise that sometimes people are blind to needs because those in need are not speaking up about their cause. No one knows you are looking for an internship, or a new job, promotion, career break, or college money.
Sadly people are just too busy to care about other people’s personal problems unless the owners of the problems vocalise their need. Even Jesus asked several people in the New Testament, “What do you want me to do for you?”
So if you are in this category, speak up to those who can hold the door open for you.
And if you are in a position to pull up a seat for someone at your table, do so.
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Faith & Good Sense 