Habakkuk is an interesting prophet. Besides having a name that's fun to spell, he really had a rough life. He was a farmer, and he complained to God that his livelihood was failing (3:17-18). No fig buds. No grapes. No olives. The fields produce no food. No sheep or cattle. Everything is going down hill.
Maybe that's how things are going where you work. Losing accounts. Less profitability. Being audited. Facing layoffs. Increased competition.
Look at Habakkuk's response in verse 18: "yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God, my Savior."
Your response when things go bad says a lot about your faith. It's easier to honor God when things go well than it is to honor Him when things seem at their worst. But true faith doesn't depend on circumstances.
Showing posts with label Trust. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trust. Show all posts
Monday, September 12, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
What If I Hate My Job?
Acts 17:26-28
cf Philippians 4:10-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
When my wife and I were in college, the preacher at the church we attended used to quote parts of Acts 17 in at least 50% of his sermons. He especially liked verse 27 because it lays out why God created humanity--so they would seek Him. The passage is part of Paul's speech to the Athenians from the Areopagus. I've been told a lot of tourists take this passage with them to Athens and imagine him speaking it as they are visiting.
As Paul is making his case for a God above the pantheon of Greek gods, he says something very interesting. Actually, he says a lot of interesting things, but at least one thing that is very pertinent for work. In verse 26, Paul says that God "made all the nations" and "marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands." I think that's interesting because it shows that where you are living and the fact that you are living in 2011 are accidental.
There's an interesting extension of that idea. What if God marked out the appointed times and boundaries of your professional life? What if God intentionally put you in the job you're in now?
It's a particularly interesting question if you don't like your job. In this economy, a lot of people are stuck in jobs they hate because there aren't other options. Perhaps you pray and pray for a new opportunity, but every interview leads to a dead end. And you feel a little guilty--after all, you have a job. Shouldn't you be thankful for that? You go back and forth between hopeful prayer, frustrations at that prayer seemingly going unanswered, and guilt over not being grateful for what you have. Sound familiar?
My wife and I have experienced something similar. After the recent birth of our first child, my wife wished she could stay home, but our financial obligations wouldn't allow it. Throughout her maternity leave, as the time came to return to work, we prayed fervently for flexible work alternatives. But none came, and the prayers seemed unanswered.
It's hard to offer her or anyone else advice in that situation. The risk is either being like Job's friends ("you're not praying with enough faith") or offering platitudes that sound empty ("maybe this is God's plan").
So how should one respond? I don't have a perfect answer for that, but I can put together pieces of an answer. First, keep praying. Jesus told parables that speak of persistent prayer (Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8) Paul talked about praying constantly for churches. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says "pray continually." Second, remember that your attitude shouldn't depend on your circumstances. There's a difference between wishing things were different and letting those wishes consume you. No doubt that when Paul was hungry or in need (Philippians 4:10-12), he didn't stop wishing he had something to eat. But he had an attitude of contentment. Paul tells the Philippians and Thessalonians to rejoice always (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16). How do you be content despite wanting different circumstances? You can't do it by yourself, and neither could Paul. He could "do all things through Christ." Remember that, at the end of the day, He is all that matters.
One final thought. Saying that you can do all things through Jesus doesn't make the frustration of your current job go away. Remembering God doesn't automatically make a bad job into a great one. Even though you shouldn't give up praying, God may not say "yes" to that prayer. And worst of all, it may never make sense to you. God never promises good jobs or that things will make sense (although sometimes He may give both). He promises His life and Himself and He comes through on both.
cf Philippians 4:10-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
When my wife and I were in college, the preacher at the church we attended used to quote parts of Acts 17 in at least 50% of his sermons. He especially liked verse 27 because it lays out why God created humanity--so they would seek Him. The passage is part of Paul's speech to the Athenians from the Areopagus. I've been told a lot of tourists take this passage with them to Athens and imagine him speaking it as they are visiting.
As Paul is making his case for a God above the pantheon of Greek gods, he says something very interesting. Actually, he says a lot of interesting things, but at least one thing that is very pertinent for work. In verse 26, Paul says that God "made all the nations" and "marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands." I think that's interesting because it shows that where you are living and the fact that you are living in 2011 are accidental.
There's an interesting extension of that idea. What if God marked out the appointed times and boundaries of your professional life? What if God intentionally put you in the job you're in now?
It's a particularly interesting question if you don't like your job. In this economy, a lot of people are stuck in jobs they hate because there aren't other options. Perhaps you pray and pray for a new opportunity, but every interview leads to a dead end. And you feel a little guilty--after all, you have a job. Shouldn't you be thankful for that? You go back and forth between hopeful prayer, frustrations at that prayer seemingly going unanswered, and guilt over not being grateful for what you have. Sound familiar?
My wife and I have experienced something similar. After the recent birth of our first child, my wife wished she could stay home, but our financial obligations wouldn't allow it. Throughout her maternity leave, as the time came to return to work, we prayed fervently for flexible work alternatives. But none came, and the prayers seemed unanswered.
It's hard to offer her or anyone else advice in that situation. The risk is either being like Job's friends ("you're not praying with enough faith") or offering platitudes that sound empty ("maybe this is God's plan").
So how should one respond? I don't have a perfect answer for that, but I can put together pieces of an answer. First, keep praying. Jesus told parables that speak of persistent prayer (Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8) Paul talked about praying constantly for churches. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says "pray continually." Second, remember that your attitude shouldn't depend on your circumstances. There's a difference between wishing things were different and letting those wishes consume you. No doubt that when Paul was hungry or in need (Philippians 4:10-12), he didn't stop wishing he had something to eat. But he had an attitude of contentment. Paul tells the Philippians and Thessalonians to rejoice always (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16). How do you be content despite wanting different circumstances? You can't do it by yourself, and neither could Paul. He could "do all things through Christ." Remember that, at the end of the day, He is all that matters.
One final thought. Saying that you can do all things through Jesus doesn't make the frustration of your current job go away. Remembering God doesn't automatically make a bad job into a great one. Even though you shouldn't give up praying, God may not say "yes" to that prayer. And worst of all, it may never make sense to you. God never promises good jobs or that things will make sense (although sometimes He may give both). He promises His life and Himself and He comes through on both.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
What's Rightfully Yours
Genesis 13:5-12
Genesis 13 shows us a remarkable business transaction. It's probably more common to look at the outcome of the story (Lot goes to live near Sodom and Gomorrah, which are eventually destroyed) rather than looking at the negotiation that led to that outcome. Abraham, because he was from the older generation, had the right of first choice. Think about that. He had the right to choose the best land for himself. Lot would have been stuck with the leftovers. But look at what Abraham said to Lot in verse 9: "If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left." Basically, you get to choose. You can have what's best. I'm sure people of the land would say "what was he thinking?!"
Abraham wasn't interested in pressing for his right. Let's be clear--there would have been nothing wrong with taking the best for himself. But by giving up his right to choose, Abraham was allowing God to take control. Verses 14-17 relate how God blessed Abraham because of his faith. Abraham didn't know about God's blessing ahead of time, and that blessing may not have taken the form he would have liked (for example, Abraham was still childless at this time). Those blessings also do not always come immediately. Abraham had to buy someone else's field to bury Sarah ten chapters later--he still didn't "have" the land. But he knew to trust God rather than holding on to his rights.
Sometimes, we're so concerned about protecting our rights that we forget that God can bless us, even when we allow others to trample on those rights. Jesus' instructions about turning the other cheek (Matt. 5:39, Luke 6:29) are a New Testament example of that same teaching. In Abraham's case, by letting go of his right and trust God, he settled a conflict (verses 7-8) and was blessed by God (verses 14-17). As you interact with others, don't worry that you don't get all of the things that you are due. Don't worry about your rights. I know that's easier to say than to do. Just trust God. His blessings may not be immediate and they may not take the form that you want or expect. But He calls you to love and trust Him more than you love and trust your rights.
Genesis 13 shows us a remarkable business transaction. It's probably more common to look at the outcome of the story (Lot goes to live near Sodom and Gomorrah, which are eventually destroyed) rather than looking at the negotiation that led to that outcome. Abraham, because he was from the older generation, had the right of first choice. Think about that. He had the right to choose the best land for himself. Lot would have been stuck with the leftovers. But look at what Abraham said to Lot in verse 9: "If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left." Basically, you get to choose. You can have what's best. I'm sure people of the land would say "what was he thinking?!"
Abraham wasn't interested in pressing for his right. Let's be clear--there would have been nothing wrong with taking the best for himself. But by giving up his right to choose, Abraham was allowing God to take control. Verses 14-17 relate how God blessed Abraham because of his faith. Abraham didn't know about God's blessing ahead of time, and that blessing may not have taken the form he would have liked (for example, Abraham was still childless at this time). Those blessings also do not always come immediately. Abraham had to buy someone else's field to bury Sarah ten chapters later--he still didn't "have" the land. But he knew to trust God rather than holding on to his rights.
Sometimes, we're so concerned about protecting our rights that we forget that God can bless us, even when we allow others to trample on those rights. Jesus' instructions about turning the other cheek (Matt. 5:39, Luke 6:29) are a New Testament example of that same teaching. In Abraham's case, by letting go of his right and trust God, he settled a conflict (verses 7-8) and was blessed by God (verses 14-17). As you interact with others, don't worry that you don't get all of the things that you are due. Don't worry about your rights. I know that's easier to say than to do. Just trust God. His blessings may not be immediate and they may not take the form that you want or expect. But He calls you to love and trust Him more than you love and trust your rights.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
David Spares Saul...Twice
! Samuel 24:6
David had been pursued by Saul though David had done nothing wrong. Sound familiar? There are times in all of our lives when we are punished and persecuted for things that we didn't do. But notice David's response. Similar to Joseph, David had Saul's fate in his hands. His men urged him to kill Saul, to end this relentless pursuit. It would have been easy to do. David had the sword in his hand. But he said, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him." Almost exactly the same situation happened two chapters later. And in 2 Samuel 1 and 4, David punishes those who would "help" him take revenge. David refused to take matters into his own hands. He trusted God enough to know that God will take care of this situation.
Can you trust God that much? When that coworker that has been at you slips up, can you resist "going for their throat" and let God take care of you? When you finally have the upper hand on that supervisor that seems to have it in for you, can you act with grace? It really is a matter of trusting God rather than taking matters into your own hands. Do you trust God enough to let him sort things out for you?
David had been pursued by Saul though David had done nothing wrong. Sound familiar? There are times in all of our lives when we are punished and persecuted for things that we didn't do. But notice David's response. Similar to Joseph, David had Saul's fate in his hands. His men urged him to kill Saul, to end this relentless pursuit. It would have been easy to do. David had the sword in his hand. But he said, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him." Almost exactly the same situation happened two chapters later. And in 2 Samuel 1 and 4, David punishes those who would "help" him take revenge. David refused to take matters into his own hands. He trusted God enough to know that God will take care of this situation.
Can you trust God that much? When that coworker that has been at you slips up, can you resist "going for their throat" and let God take care of you? When you finally have the upper hand on that supervisor that seems to have it in for you, can you act with grace? It really is a matter of trusting God rather than taking matters into your own hands. Do you trust God enough to let him sort things out for you?
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