911

As I have been waiting for God's placement for ministry, during this time of transition, I have been open to other types of work; especially to provide for my family. One such opportunity came as a 911 operator in Atlanta. The whole process was fascinating. My application was 48 pages long. My drive to and from each meeting during this process was about an hour each way. The first scheduled meeting was an exam, which was 1.5 hours long and put us in simulated emergency call situations. That was fun. Then I was called back, after passing the exam, and invited to enter the background investigation process, which could last up to 6 months. One part of that process was to go in and have an initial interview with a detective, who would be doing my background investigation. They had a 911 operator come in and tell us what it is like, to be under that kind of stress during a 10 hour shift. Every phone call they answer has the potential of being life or death, and the operator has a huge, critical role to fill.

This is the kind of job that fits my type of personality. If you are already a high stress person, don't apply for this job! I admire those who work in these types of environment, and serve our communities. It was interesting. That day, we also filled out a lot of paperwork, and were answering questions about prior drug/alcohol use, criminal activity, etc. They kept emphasizing, detective after detective, who spoke, that the most important thing we need to do is tell the truth - the whole truth. If we had some problems in the past with these things, we wound not necessarily be disqualified from the job. But, if we lied about any of these things, and they found out, we would be disqualified. And they also emphasized - they will find out! These detectives work in the background department and this is what they do - and they're good at it. They also emphasized being on time, and even being early to every shift. I really like the organization, discipline and order that a job like this demands and expects.

As they continued to do the background, they would let us know if they wanted to continue with us. The last time I went was for a type of lie detector test and fingerprinting. I don't remember ever being fingerprinted, and it was a little more difficult than I thought - computer related. The lie detector test was a voice stress analysis test. They ask simple questions like: "are you sitting down", along with the ones they really want to know, like: "have you ever used illegal drugs"? And to test the system and how I respond when I lie, they have me purposely lie, to a question like: "Am I wearing a watch", to which I am to respond by lying. That was the last appointment I went to. The next thing that took place this last week, was that they offered me the job, as long as I came to the other 2 appointments set up for me; and then be able to begin April 29th. I had to say no. It was very appealing; but they made it clear that there would be no time off for months; and that just wouldn't work.

Not only do I have another job I want to keep, I need to be free to follow God's calling, that is so clear: to pastor again. I would not be able, at least for the next several months, to go meet with churches and pursue that calling. I was hoping the process would take a lot longer, but it is all in God' timing and sovereignty. I knew I had to say no.I am grateful for going through the process; but all the more excited about the real passion God has placed on my heart. I may not be able to save many physical lives, but I can be a part of something (as a career) that lasts for eternity: pointing people to the One who can save them forever. God bless those who work for 911 - for the important job they do!