Love, Respect, And A Job At Google

What are the two most important ingredients for successful relationships?

I love to listen to podcasts!  I especially enjoy making connections with what I learn and God’s word.  I find it fascinating to see how His word is being taught, often unintentionally, in the world around us.

I listen to at least a dozen podcasts a week.  The topics range from church sermons to why there’s no such thing as a free appetizer.  I love the learning and the distraction makes laundry, dishes, vacuuming and general house de-cluttering go by a lot faster. 

Yesterday while pulling weeds, I learned from the Hidden Brain podcast some of the things Google looks for when interviewing job applicants.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they no longer only stop at the Ivy League schools, but instead actively recruit from over 450 different colleges in the U.S. and around the world.  They also spend a great deal of time at colleges with an increased racial/ethnic minority representation.  (An interesting tidbit: high academic achievement only predicts job success in the first two years of employment.  Beyond that, how well someone did in school says nothing about their ability to succeed).  

Google asks potential software designers to rank themselves on a scale of 1-5.  They prefer women who rank themselves a “5” because it shows confidence. Interestingly, though, they prefer men who rank themselves a “4” because Google perceives this as showing humility and a willingness to be open to new ideas. Without realizing it, Google is aligning their values with God’s.  Look at these connections:

• The Bible encourages us to approach God with confidence and receive His grace and mercy. (Hebrews 4:16)
• God warns us. Pride comes before the fall. (Proverbs 16:18)
• God crowns the humble with victory. (Psalm 149:4)

Today’s podcast, while cleaning the house, was a talk on relationship research given by a visiting pastor at Saddleback Church.  His sermon made scrubbing toilets almost delightful (almost).  I learned the two key ingredients for a successful marriage!  

At the University of Washington, a team of scientists conducted relationship studies with 2,000 couples over 20 years in “Love Labs”.  (Who signs up for such a study?)  They found that the two most important components of the healthiest, happiest, and most successful relationships were LOVE and RESPECT.  God told us that a long time ago, didn’t he?

• Husbands love your wives. (Colossians 3:19)
• Wives respect your husbands.  (Ephesians 5:33)

This week, I challenge you to look for God’s word and values all around you.  Notice them in songs, advertisements, other people, even the news.  By making “God connections” in your everyday life, you will be reminded of His character and closeness and give Him thanks more often.

Enjoy!

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

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