Back to the future

October 21, 2015

I didn't realise that on October 21, 2015 I will be returning to my future at 88 miles an hour. 

If we could somehow harness this lightning... channel it into the flux capacitor... it just might work. Next Saturday night, we're sending you back to the future!

Our story begins in Beirut, Lebanon. For 2 years my wife and I have worked as missionary family in Middle East University. During that time we have been able to minister to students, refugees and local people there.

Everything was going well until the time when budgets were reconsidered. 

Unfortunately, our budget was one of them. So instead of 5 expected years of service we have only served 2. It has shattered our hopes and ambitions.

We had to leave our friends, livelihood, education and had to move. Little did I know that God has already crafted the future. 

Wait a minute, Doc. Ah... Are you telling me that you built a time machine... out of a DeLorean?

Less than a month before leaving someone indicated that Newbold College is looking for IT Manager. Unwillingly I applied in secret hope it wouldn't work out. 

Through series of events I found myself right here at Newbold. I have eventually submitted to Lord’s will and worked the field that was in front of me.

I have promised Him that I will do the work needed at Newbold for 1 year.

Now, as I see the results of my work and friendships that I made, I do not regret a single day during my time here. 

Wonderful friends and colleagues, time needed to re-adjust and re-evaluate priorities –God has truly been at work all this time. It was not all easy, but whenever we had a need or were in trouble–God stepped in at the right time and helped.

 This is it! This is the answer. It says here... that a bolt of lightning is going to strike the clock tower at precisely 10:04pm, next Saturday night!

The year has passed and some circumstances changed. Now expecting another child into the family, I knew that we’re also heading towards an economic crisis. Future did not look so bright anymore - I had to do something quick. I was praying and asking Lord to give us wisdom in making the right decision. The only option remained was to look for another employment.

I watched the TED talk by Scott Dinsmore about “How to find and do work you love”, which gave me courage to act.

I submitted my resignation letter before there was another opportunity. 

I thought 1 month of serving the notice were sufficient to find another job. The news have spread and soon I had people asking where I was going. All I could say – “I pray that God will provide with job, as He always provided for us before”. And whenever they were in my office – I would point them to the picture of Jesus above my desk- my only hope.

Hey, Doc, we better back up. We don't have enough road to get up to 88.

During this month I have applied to more than 200 places, had a few telephone calls, several telephone interviews and several face-to-face interviews. And although I heard Scott Dinsmore saying that you shouldn't jump onto the first opportunity in desperation – I was certainly ready to take anything that came my way.

 I was almost ready to do daily commute to the Moon, as month was coming to an end.

Some people thought I was “crazy/brave/unwise/I wouldn't do that”, and that made things look even less hopeful.

 I heard stories of friends who did the same and now were 2 months without a job borrowing money for rent, others were looking for job with no results in 3 months and still others were saying that autumn is the worst time to look for job.

It made my job search more stressful. 

During that month I had my hopes high and low, was excited and desperate, but every day I would come to Jesus in prayer and ask for wisdom, patience and strength to “not give up”.

Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads.

In a word – I saw Jesus and jumped out of the boat to walk on water to Him. Just like Peter did once on that stormy night.

I saw all the “scariness” of the situation and things became even more intense, when my official last day had coincided with Staff lunch at Newbold College. 

All staff, the College Board members and international guests were there. During the farewell speech all I could say that I am stepping out of the boat in hope that Jesus will reach out and save me. Everyone was watching…

Don't worry. As long as you hit that wire with the connecting hook at precisely 88 miles per hour, the instant the lightning strikes the tower... everything will be fine.

Half an hour after lunch, I went to yet another interview. It was a technical one in a company which specialises in telephony. 

I have previously visited their office and saw a few quotes on a wall there –“Never, never, never give up” –was one of them. During the interview process I felt this was the company I really wanted to work for. 

Previously they have inquired Newbold College about references, interviewed me once, and asked about my expectations.

The owner told me that within past month they have sifted through 30 candidates and short-listed around 10, which they interviewed. 

Out them 2 potential candidates were selected, asked for references and interviewed again. The CEO of the company told me that I am competing with another potential candidate.

 If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits eighty-eight miles per hour...

At the end of the technical interview he said
“I believe things happen for a reason”. 

“What do you think about this”
 he asked me and put a job offer on the table in front of me.

I was dumbfounded… Overcoming my feelings I shared that I could only dream about this.

To which he answered:
“We were looking long for the right person to fill this position.

We made a mistake before.

Now I believe you are the right man for the job, Alex. Congratulations.”

1.21 gigawatts?! 1.21 gigawatts?! Great Scott!

On October 21, 2015, 3 hours after sharing my conviction with everyone I had a job. 

The company offered me more than I asked for, it’s location is within 2 minutes from my current work place, they have bright and spacious office at the top with fantastic view and they specialise in the area of my passions and abilities.

The next day I have written down this story, so that in the future I can look back onto the past and see that God was there all this time. 

I shared this story with everyone and had fantastic the response from my colleagues and friends.

God's name was praised !

You got no concept of time.

Was that a coincidence or God’s provision? You could say it is all a coincidence. 

As for me - I strongly believe - the more you pray, the more coincidences happen.

I have learned once again that God will come and save you when:

1. Everyone is watching
2. The situation is dire
3. There is no other hope

And He always does it at the last moment, and his timing is precise ! This is how He crafts the future ! Remember?