I knew it was a long shot, but I did it anyway.
I interviewed for the position because I didn’t want to limit God.
I ran across the video I recorded as I was walking into the building to go and interview. This was on June 30, 2021. I thought, well at the very least, what I could do was share with the Pastor what my experience was like when we took the 2.5 hour drive up to the church in Dallas one Sunday a few weeks before.
Yup, that’s right, we drove 2.5 hours there to Dallas and then 2.5 hours back for a one hour church service. My pre-teen daughter made sure I heard her when we got back into the car when she said that that didn’t make sense. “Just watch it online!” But my husband suggested I go in person. He was right.
We currently live in Copperas Cove, Texas, so I knew that making that hike every week (and maybe even twice a week) would be a hardship for our family. But, I reasoned, wasn’t the trade-off worth it? This church’s reach is so much bigger than mine. They operate with a large staff of many ages, both male and female. I thought of what I could offer their team (I had to think of something for the interview!!) and how they could help shape and mold me.
The interview wasn’t what I expected.
Instead of the Senior Pastor doing the interview, he wasn’t even there. There were 3 other pastors (one was the Executive Pastor) and the Head of Human Resources. They each had their laptops and shared their portion of their presentation about their church history and legacy. Let me tell you, this church’s legacy is personally impressive (to me) because the founding pastor was big on discipleship. Training up the next pastors, even outside of their own church! I just LOVE when I see this happening. And this church was extending his legacy to our Seminary through the establishment of a Preaching Internship partnership. This is what I was there to interview for. But… like I said I found out a few weeks later, I didn’t get it.
Why am I writing a blog about a position I didn’t get?
Because- I want to remember that it wasn’t the job that I was there for. I received what I was there to get, but I didn’t know it going in. Allow me to explain.
This interview was over an hour and it was amazing. I’m not sure if all the applicants felt the same way, but for me, I will remember how I was PASTORED during an INTERVIEW! I won’t soon forget how I felt being encouraged through the Holy Spirit by three African American Godly Men. For a moment, as they were speaking to me- and over me- it dawned on me that while the news and media may generally portray black men negatively, and even (sad to say) many black men in my own family have failed me and others with their many faults (I’m not casting stones here because I have my many faults as well), what I experienced in that time was … remarkable… precious… and beautiful. Something happened in that room that I didn’t know I needed, but the Lord did. I believe the Lord wanted me to know that what He put in me was not a figment of my own desire and imagination. Strangers could see and sense the Holy Spirit at work within me. Even the Head of HR was feeling it too… something happened in that room.
And it was undeniable.
I thank God for that experience and for that time.
Thank you Lord.
I even shared something for them as well, as they wanted to know what it was like for my children and I when we attended their church for the first time and all of it wasn’t pretty. I believed that if they cared for their church, they would consider what was shared, and they did. They heard me.
Lord, I thank you for ministers like these four souls that you put before me on that day. Thank you Lord for their life. Thank you Lord for their work. May you BLESS their efforts and their diligence to be Your hands and feet in this world. Thank you Lord for their sensitivity to Your Presence. Thank you God for their shepherding heart. May their families, may their church, may their friends and family be ABUNDANTLY BLESSED by YOU through their faithfulness. And may I be as faithful too, no matter the situation- big or small- help me Lord to be sensitive to You. Only You know what we really need and what others around us really need. Thank you Lord for Your Presence in our life. Bless this church and the work they do for one another, for the community, and in encouraging other leaders around Your world.
Sincerely,
Sejana
Sejana Shines 
This… This… THIS!!! I was so honored to be in the room that day and witness God take over an interview. You are an amazing woman of God that will continue to impact the world in unimaginable ways. Your words, your insight, and your observations are all heart warming and encouraging. Keep being great my sister. That interview will forever be in my heart and mind. Blessings!
Amen!! Thank you and glad I could thank you again. Blessings!!
I loved reading about this experience you had Sejana! Especially about black men!! LOVE you lady!Christina Gray Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
Thank you for reading and commenting Christina! It was a beautiful moment. I’m reminded to send this out to someone out at that church; I pray they continue to be encouraged to do the good work they do. I appreciate you!