California?

I wanted to write a quick update letting friends and family in on the full story behind my Facebook status from Thursday:

Great conversation with Method regarding future employment in San Francisco, CA. Pray that they’ll decide to move forward with the interview process despite the distance.

Since posting that status, I’ve received multiple phone calls, e-mails, Facebook messages and texts asking if and when I’m moving to California.

The short answer is I don’t know. Let me explain.

• Friday, June 10th I noticed on Method’s website that they’re currently seeking a Brand Experience Community Associate. After reading the job description, I instantly knew this job had to of been created with me in mind. If you know me, you’re well aware of my love of all things Method. My cabinets are stocked with their cleaning products. From the kitchen to the bathroom, the laundry room to even my car and the office, Method products are a part of my life. Some might call it an obsession, or even an addiction, I call it… well… an obsession (just being honest). I spent the weekend perfecting my resume and writing the following cover letter:

Hello People Against Dirty!

Nice to meet you!

First let me introduce myself. I’m Jamison Combs, an outgoing, coffee addicted, social media connected, Method fanatic currently residing in Columbia, SC. Seeing that my cover letter is quickly starting to sound like a reply to an online dating site, I simply wanted to submit my resume to be your next Brand Experience Community Associate. I believe with the experience, talent and just the right amount of weirdness I’ll bring to your Team, a bright and exciting future could be in store.

Attached you’ll find my resume. Don’t hesitate to contact me should you have questions.

Thanks for your time and consideration!

• Monday, June 13th I uploaded my resume, cover letter and filled out their nifty online application, said a prayer and clicked “submit.”  To be honest, I submitted my resume thinking that either they’d see the cover letter, laugh and toss it aside or that maybe, just maybe, I’d catch their attention.
• Much to my surprise, Wednesday evening I received an e-mail from Katie, Method’s Architect of Buzz (AKA: Director of Public Relations + Advocacy) wanting to discuss my application and the job position.
• Thursday morning I awoke with Phantom Planet’s California playing in my head. That afternoon I had a phone call with Katie discussing the job description, my qualifications, Method’s culture, mission, how I might be a potential fit for this position.

So, you’re probably still wondering when I’m moving. Well, let me first say I haven’t even been offered an interview (yet). Katie explained that typically they don’t have applicants from outside of California. At the present, their biggest concern is completing the multi-step interview process with the distance between us. We’ve discussed the possibility of Skype during the first few phases, but at this point it’s a waiting game to see if the distance will be what breaks this opportunity. I’m believing that if California is what’s next for me, doors will open and I’ll seize the opportunity that awaits. At 27 years old, I’m ready for my next adventure. While Columbia has been home for the past 7 years, I’m willing to relocate and try out the West Coast. (Not to mention tomorrow it’s going to be sunny and 71 degrees in San Francisco compared to Columbia’s high of 99.)

Ultimately right now I’m in waiting. Monday or Tuesday I should hear back from Method regarding a decision if they feel we can move forward with the interview process and a strategy to do so despite the distance. I would appreciate your prayers as they make their decision and I think and pray through what’s next. I know God’s in control and will put me where He wants me, when He wants me there.

For more information on Method, CLICK HERE.

 

UPDATE: The doors didn’t open up to make the move to California happen. I am honored to have been noticed/given the chance to talk with the amazing people at Method and I hope one day our paths will merge. For now, I’ll settle for being their biggest fan!

The End Of + The Beginning Of

Boxes line what little floorspace that’s left throughout my house. Boxes on top of boxes. Each box is labeled with its contents and its future destination. “Kitchen: Plates, Glasses, Entertaining.  Bedroom: Clothes: T-shirts, Socks, Underwear.” After over 5 years of residing at what has become known as ThePlex, I’ve decided to make a move.

While some would expect the next paragraph of this post to be about me relocating to Boston, that time hasn’t quite come… yet. My original plan was to move to Boston by July 2011. I’ve found that God has a way of changing our plans and ordering our steps, typically with the outcome being anything far greater than we could have asked for, planned or imagined. Several months ago I began praying that God would make it clear what was next for me. For the longest time I’ve felt a deep calling to Boston. After my visit in April 2010 that calling was confirmed and I’m certain that one day I will live in and minister to the city of Boston. Yet, even with that calling confirmed and Boston being my long term destination, there have been several key factors in my decision to remain in Columbia (a bit) longer:

• Vision: In August 2010 I accepted a position as a Collections Representative for Vision Property Management. Within 3 months of being on staff I was promoted to Collections Division Manager. During my time of praying I was approached by another member of our Senior Management Team and was asked to help start a Bible Study for our staff. The first week of the Bible Study we had 12 employees show up including our CEO. I’ve had multiple coworkers open up to me about issues they’re walking through: divorce, abuse, eating disorders, anxiety and dealing with dysfunctional families.  All that to say I know that, for now, with the favor I’ve been shown by my employer and the work God is doing in my coworkers, I am certain God wants me to remain at VPM (for now).
• Neighbors: For the longest time I’ve had a deep desire to live in a real neighborhood. Sure, I currently live in a neighborhood, but if you’ve ever been to my place you know that the intersection of Main and Fairfield doesn’t lend itself to allowing one to run, bike or even have a change at connecting with other families in the neighborhood. The fact is, I really don’t live in a neighborhood; it’s more so an intersection. Once God gave me clarity on remaining in Columbia, I knew the next step was to relocate. After much searching, I’ve found an amazing new home in the Rosewood community. Complete with runners, dog walkers and children playing in the street, this is the type of neighborhood I’ve been desiring for a long time. My new house is also exactly one mile from my gym, Anytime Fitness, and my favorite grocery store, Earth Fare. This past Monday I had the opportunity to meet most of the neighbors and I’m looking forward to hosting my first cookout of the summer!
• Roommate: With the new house comes the addition of a roommate. It’s been over 2 years since I’ve had a roommate. My previous roommate of 4 years, Rich Zuch, was a rare find and proved to be irreplaceable… well, almost. I’ve been nervous about having another roommate, but after much prayer I asked Josh Cox to consider moving in and commit to spend the next year loving and serving the Rosewood community with me. Thankfully Josh has agreed to move in! Josh has been an amazing friend and brother. I have a huge amount of respect for him and his walk with God and can’t wait to see what the Lord does through him and I being roommates.  Josh has always wanted a dog too, so I think secretly he’s more excited about living with Killian than with me!
• Midtown: Midtown has asked me to help co-lead Mission Hubs, an effort to encourage our church members to become missionaries within their neighborhoods, connecting, loving and serving their neighbors while pushing them toward the Gospel. I’m thankful for the opportunity to lead while also being in a new neighborhood where I can put what I teach into practice.

Soon the boxes will start making their crosstown journey. 1945 days of living in the same place will soon come to a close. I’m thankful for the memories that resulted from my time at ThePlex and look forward to what’s to come in my new home!

Don’t Be Fooled

Don’t be fooled by the confident, sometimes witty and sarcastic exterior. Inside, I am scared and my self-confidence is quickly dwindling. You see, I’ve been unemployed for two solid months. I completed over 50 job applications, 20 online personality assessments, and to date have only been offered one interview.

When I got laid off I kept telling myself “your identity isn’t in a job… it’s in Christ.” That was easy for me to believe then, considering the job I was laid off from had me locked in a cubical 8 hours a day. Victory had come! I was finally free from the job I hated for so long. I felt as if me being laid off was God’s way of pushing me on to the next thing He has for me.

But now, fast-forward 2 months. I am realizing that the  job I hated  brought stability. It brought routine. It brought financial security. It provided health insurance. (And we all know I need health insurance!) Am I guilty of finding my identity in my job? Maybe?!

As the old hymn says: “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ love and righteousness.” Some days I can easily cling to Christ as my hope  Lately, it’s been an all out war to simply remain confident and continue to find my identity and hope in Christ.

So for now I must press on and believe that: “On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”

Bucking Comfort.

“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity and conservatism, all of which appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun” (Christopher McCandless)

Lord, my I have the initiative and boldness to buck security, comfort and conservatism. Help me be willing to make sacrifices to embrace Your calling and to walk in the conviction of your Spirit and Truth.

Today I Cussed.

Today I cussed. Not just once, but multiple times. In truth, today was really one of those days that I really should have taken another Ambien and just gone back to bed. The two pots of coffee and the cigarette I bummed off a lady at the Unemployment Office did nothing for me except leave me jittery and smelling like an ashtray.

I’ve been unemployed for one month now. Most blogs I have read from others in my position recommend taking the first two to three months after being laid off and doing some soul searching. One blogger said, “I took a two week vacation… Resting, relaxing and the joys of having Room Service helped me find inner peace and have time to refocus my energy and rediscover myself.” Obviously she either had a ton left in her savings account or the state of California pays a lot more each week in Unemployment than South Carolina. (And she likes to alliterate with the letter “r.”) While the idea of a 2 week vacation sounds glorious, I for one am more concerned about paying rent and making sure my dogs have food in their bowls.

I’ve tried to be diligent in applying for jobs each week. I promised myself I wouldn’t count how many jobs I have applied for, but at this point it must be well over 50. To date, ZERO call backs. I’ve told myself over and over it must be the holidays. “No one does hiring during the holiday season.” Is that the truth? Hopefully. For now that is what I am choosing to believe.  Hopefully once 2010 starts my resume will move to the top and maybe I will start getting some call backs.

Yet, though my use of profanity (which, some might believe that plus the cigarette I smoked might send me straight to hell) and my unfaithfulness, God is so faithful to continue to provide. Daily I am amazed at the encouragement from friends and family and the support of those around me. I am sure there will be many frustrating and tiresome days ahead, but we serve a gracious and faithful God.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹I will be found by you…”  (Jeremiah 29:11-14)