musings

IF YOU'VE EVER HAD A JOB INTERVIEW, you would remember how anxious you were. Evaluation is not an easy thing to experience, is it? You don't know what's in the mind of the interviewer---what his expectations are. How does he measure one's effectiveness? What exactly is he looking for? Sometimes they are looking for certain qualities rather than particular skill levels. Here's an example.

One cold morning at 3:00 A.M., a missionary candidate walked into an office for a scheduled interview with the examiner of the mission board. He waited until 8:00 A.M. when the examiner finally arrived.

The examiner said, "Let's begin. First, please spell baker." "B-a-k-e-r," said the young man. "Excellent. Now let's see what you know about figures. How much is 2 + 2?" "Four," replied the applicant. "Very good," the examiner said. "I'll recommend you to the board tomorrow that you be appointed. You have passed the test."

At the board meeting the examiner spoke highly of the applicant. "He has all the qualifications of a missionary.

First I tested him on self-denial. I told him to be at my house at 3:00 A.M. He left a warm bed and came out in the cold without a word of complaint.

Second, I tried him out on punctuality. He appeared on time.

Third, I examined him on patience. I made him wait five hours to see me, after telling him to come at 3:00 A.M.

Fourth, I tested him on temper. He failed to show any sign of it; he didn't even question my delay.

Fifth, I tried his humility. I asked him questions that a small child could answer. He showed no offense. He meets the requirements and will make a fine missionary."

So there you have it. Its not always what you know that's important; its who you are on the inside!