Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 8, 2016
So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left. Genesis 13:8-9
No one works at the same place forever, they eventually move on or die. A person may feel their effectiveness in their current role at work has run its course—they are bored—and unless another opportunity opens up in the same organization they will transition out to a more challenging call. Hiring and firing resembles the same tension as leaving or staying. The latter represents the employee, and the former the employer. I am not the best hirer because I like people to like me, but often I need to hire team members gifted differently than me. So I am learning to trust seasoned staff to help me interview and select new employees. It’s so much wiser to hire slow and fire fast.
Abram and Lot found themselves in a dilemma: In today’s terms they were “running out of office space.” The growth of their family business forced them to make a relocation decision—so they decided to divide up their assets and go their separate ways. Lot deferred to and honored his uncle Abram, the more experienced, to define their disengagement choices and Lot selected which option he thought best for his family and work. He chose the well watered, green valley in the east and pitched his tent toward a sinful people, while Abram settled in Canaan and built an altar to God.
“If he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials” (2 Peter 2:7-9).
At work you may find yourself surrounded by ungodly influences, but the Lord placed you in a taxing situation to be His light of love. A faith minority status gives you an opportunity to use your influence to influence the majority in righteous ways. Choose honesty over, even “little” lies. Model deference to another’s idea and be content to have your way another day. Live for a greater purpose and your life will have greater influence. By not conforming to the culture, you can transform the culture. Sin crucified Jesus, so you must crucify sin, so it doesn’t crucify you.
Perhaps you find yourself needing to fire someone, but the pain of letting them go has paralyzed you and caused you to procrastinate. It’s good you care about the consequences of their departure, but following God’s will eventually works things out for what’s best for all parties. Instead of feeling responsible to be their job placement solution—trust the Holy Spirit to open doors and guide them in their next assignment. A person discontent in their work is often relieved when released of their responsibilities. Speak to them in person—let compassion lead the conversation. Job transitions are hard for employer and employee so use change to let your faith grow stronger.
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I trust you during this change in my life. Draw me closer to Christ.Application
Whom can I support in their job transition or in their challenges at work?Related Reading
Genesis 12:1-4; Isaiah 49:10; Acts 7:2-4; 20:22, 21:4; 1 John 4:6Post/Tweet today
Live for a greater purpose and your life will have greater influence. #WisdomHunters #jobtransitionWorship Resource
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