Hunting Eichmann

Yesterday I finished reading Hunting Eichmann by Neal Bascomb. It was recommended to me by a co-worker, whose judgement I trust as to whether a book is good.

Hunting Eichmann is about the hunt for and capture of Adolph Eichmann, the "operational manager" of the Final Solution implemented by the Nazis against the Jewish people. I had heard of Eichmann, but really didn't know much about him and his role in the Holocaust.

The story, for being so full of characters and facts, flowed very well. I can't remember the last non-fiction book I read that was as hard to put down. Even though I basically knew the ending of the story, it was still suspenseful reading about the actual events leading up to the discovery, capture, and trial of Eichmann.

I learned at least three things that bothered me. The United States was more interested in "acquiring" top German scientists after the war than it was in apprehending those who committed war crimes. The Catholic church seemed to be very involved in helping Nazis escape to other countries after the war. The West German government formed after the war (I assume with the help of the Allied nations) contained ex-Nazis.

What I will probably remember most from reading this book, though, is something entirely different. After Eichmann was convicted and awaiting the result of his appeal, a Canadian Protestant missionary in Jerusalem met with him and urged him to repent and put his faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. Eichmann refused and went to his death (as far as I know) without knowing Christ. At least one of the men who helped capture Eichmann was there when he was hanged.

Here's the thing. Adolph Eichmann was responsible for the deaths of millions of Jews. Those who brought him to justice did a good thing, but if they did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, they were still headed to the same place as Eichmann. According to Romans 3:23, we have ALL sinned, and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), no matter the size of the sin, big or small. God has given us a free gift, though. He died on the cross for us to pay the price for that sin, so we wouldn't have to. We just have to admit that we have sinned, believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He died on the cross for us, and ask Him to save us.

Decisions, Decisions

I work as a page at a public library. That means I shelve books, shift books around, get books off the shelf that have been requested, answer the occasional patron question and, according to the boss, anything else they ask me to do. Since our custodian is off on maternity leave, that anything else can include picking up trash from the parking lot, watering the shrubs around the building, and checking the restroom to make sure there is enough toilet paper available. Thankfully, I don't have to do the custodial jobs every day. For all this, I get paid 10 cents more than minimum wage per hour.

I think I am worth more than barely over minimum wage.

Should I find another job that pays more or should I stay where I am? There are advantages in staying. The hours are very flexible and my supervisor is great about arranging our schedules to suit us. I live 2-3 minutes away from where I work, so I don't use that much gas and I could walk if I wanted to. I enjoy, for the most part, the people I work with.

Here's the thing, though. What does God want me to do? Is there some purpose He has for me there and I just need to reconcile myself to working for peanuts? Or does He want me somewhere else?

I don't have many marketable skills, so my options are limited. I am capable of other jobs in the library system, but I fear the entire system has major flaws and any job within the system would be frustrating (although at a higher salary).

Please pray with me about this. I don't necessarily want more money so I can sock it all away. I just want to earn a fair wage for what I do.