“Your new fulltime job is finding your next job.”

I’ve heard that said to people in a job transition and said it myself – and it’s good advice. But how does that look on a day-to-day basis?

Most people in job-search mode spend their time looking at postings, applying online, and asking people in their network about potential openings. That’s how their “new fulltime job” looks.

Let me suggest a different approach. Christians all have gifts we use daily for our families, churches, and employers. Rather than asking people for a job, or hunting for help wanted ads, I recommend just getting out there and serving.

In Scripture, God gives Christians the clear instruction to make the most of our spiritual gifts: “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6-8).

I have the gifts of exhortation and acts of mercy, which I’ve used at home, church, and at work. Last summer, I had the opportunity to put them to work while looking for new opportunities, and it was a rich experience.

Before, when selling to a defined patch of prospects, my conversations were limited to my company’s product or service. Without that constraint, I put my gifts to work with my contacts and had more fruitful conversations. Using my gifts in transition led to some surprising (to me) outcomes:

  • Multiple high-value meetings almost every day
  • A network of bright and impactful folks that is growing faster than at any time in my career
  • Value delivered and connections made between a number of old and new acquaintances
  • New revenue and income opportunities given to wonderful people I care about
  • A tremendous amount of fun
  • Multiple opportunities for my career and ministry

One of those opportunities was a deep involvement in the DFW Technology Prayer Breakfast. The Oct. 5 event draws more than 1,000 people who are looking for a way to make Christ known in Metroplex. Consider becoming a partner or even a table host this year to hear keynote speaker and former Popeyes Chicken CEO Cheryl Bachelder. You can also text PRAYER to 77007 for event updates.

But even if those opportunities had not come my way last summer, God’s command to believers remains the same: “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them” (Romans 12:6).

Even in transition. #DFWTechPB #FaithatWork

Steve Helms is committee president of the Dallas/Fort Worth Technology Prayer Breakfast.