This post is directed as much at myself as it is written for anyone reading it. Does it drive you crazy when you know you're right about something but no one listens to you? You feel the need to prove that you are right (and that the other person is wrong).
Oswalt Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest writes when we "allow the discernment to turn to criticism, we block God. God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede." (p. 328). Think about that. Suppose that you are right and the other person is wrong (which is a biased assumption, don't forget). Does that give you the right to criticize the other person for not agreeing with you? No.
I've blogged before about how fighting for your rights is rarely in God's interests. Fighting to make someone believe that you're right is also rarely a good idea. If the issue is important, intercede for that person. If it issue is unimportant, let it go.
Again, this post is something that I need help with as much as anyone else. It's tough when you have strong opinions. But not turning your opinions into criticism of the other person is a great way to show God's love to them.
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Friday, December 9, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
The Things of First Importance
I heard a sermon yesterday that started with an important distinction--everything in the Bible is important, but everything is not equally important. Everything in the Bible is important, but there are things in the Bible that are more important and things in the Bible that are less important.
You may not have thought that way before. But there are a number of passages in 1 Samuel, Isaiah, Micah, Hosea and other places in the Bible where God talks about the most important things. For example, in Hosea 6 and Micah 6, the people were taking care of sacrifices but they were neglecting justice and mercy. In 1 Samuel 15, Samuel tells Saul "to obey is better than sacrifice." It's not that sacrifices and religious rituals were unimportant. It's that justice and mercy, obedience to the big things were more important.
When you want to honor God in your workplace, if you look at the list of labels to the left, you might think there's a lot of things to do. Attitude, ethics, honesty, importance of work, perspective, etc. But really, it comes down to two things. Jesus explains in Matthew 22 that the greatest commands, the most important things, are to love God and love people. There were over 600 laws in Jesus' time. And beyond those, they had laws about laws. But the most important things are to love God and love others. Everything else is subordinate to those. Everything "hangs" on those, to use Jesus' words in the NIV translation.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed when you think about all that God asks of you in your workplace. But really, you need to focus on two things. As you look at the week ahead of you, don't worry about the details. Instead, focus on the big picture: love God and love other people. If you get those right, the details will take care of themselves.
You may not have thought that way before. But there are a number of passages in 1 Samuel, Isaiah, Micah, Hosea and other places in the Bible where God talks about the most important things. For example, in Hosea 6 and Micah 6, the people were taking care of sacrifices but they were neglecting justice and mercy. In 1 Samuel 15, Samuel tells Saul "to obey is better than sacrifice." It's not that sacrifices and religious rituals were unimportant. It's that justice and mercy, obedience to the big things were more important.
When you want to honor God in your workplace, if you look at the list of labels to the left, you might think there's a lot of things to do. Attitude, ethics, honesty, importance of work, perspective, etc. But really, it comes down to two things. Jesus explains in Matthew 22 that the greatest commands, the most important things, are to love God and love people. There were over 600 laws in Jesus' time. And beyond those, they had laws about laws. But the most important things are to love God and love others. Everything else is subordinate to those. Everything "hangs" on those, to use Jesus' words in the NIV translation.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed when you think about all that God asks of you in your workplace. But really, you need to focus on two things. As you look at the week ahead of you, don't worry about the details. Instead, focus on the big picture: love God and love other people. If you get those right, the details will take care of themselves.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Discrimination
James 2: 1-12
There are so many legal and ethical reasons to avoid discriminating against people. It's just the wrong thing to do. But there are Biblical reasons as well. James exhorts his audience to avoid favoritism, which is essentially the same thing as discrimination. In James' day, one of the big issues was discriminating against the poor, as well as widows and orphans. Those inequalities persists today as well in some forms. But the Bible is clear that any form of discrimination is wrong. From the beginning, we are all made in God's image. We are also told not to judge others. When you treat someone differently because of the color of their skin, their age, their gender, their ability or disability, you are saying that even though you and I are both made in the image of God, I am better than you.
As a Christian, you don't want someone to discriminate against you. Don't do the same to others. Instead, show love for others, especially those that face hatred from many around them.
There are so many legal and ethical reasons to avoid discriminating against people. It's just the wrong thing to do. But there are Biblical reasons as well. James exhorts his audience to avoid favoritism, which is essentially the same thing as discrimination. In James' day, one of the big issues was discriminating against the poor, as well as widows and orphans. Those inequalities persists today as well in some forms. But the Bible is clear that any form of discrimination is wrong. From the beginning, we are all made in God's image. We are also told not to judge others. When you treat someone differently because of the color of their skin, their age, their gender, their ability or disability, you are saying that even though you and I are both made in the image of God, I am better than you.
As a Christian, you don't want someone to discriminate against you. Don't do the same to others. Instead, show love for others, especially those that face hatred from many around them.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Knowing God
1 John 4:7-21
By loving our seemingly unlovable coworkers, bosses, and customers/clients, we show God's love to them. But more than that, showing such love is how we know God. Look at 1 John 4:8: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." Later, John says that if anyone claims to know God but hates someone, he or she is a liar. Love is at the very core of who God is. It is as much of His essence as we can know. And that's not just love for those that love Him back. God loved us BEFORE we loved Him (verse 19). He loved us when we were unlovable (Romans 5:8). By loving those around us that seem unlovable, we experience, to a microscopic degree, what God experienced in sending His Son for us.
Remember--it's not about "killing them with kindness," loving so that maybe they'll be nicer to you, or loving to gain leverage in the future. It's not about showing that you're a team player or that you can get along with others. It's loving because God loved you. If your allegiance is to Him and if you want to know Him, then you need to show love to everyone around you, including those that seem unlovable.
By loving our seemingly unlovable coworkers, bosses, and customers/clients, we show God's love to them. But more than that, showing such love is how we know God. Look at 1 John 4:8: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." Later, John says that if anyone claims to know God but hates someone, he or she is a liar. Love is at the very core of who God is. It is as much of His essence as we can know. And that's not just love for those that love Him back. God loved us BEFORE we loved Him (verse 19). He loved us when we were unlovable (Romans 5:8). By loving those around us that seem unlovable, we experience, to a microscopic degree, what God experienced in sending His Son for us.
Remember--it's not about "killing them with kindness," loving so that maybe they'll be nicer to you, or loving to gain leverage in the future. It's not about showing that you're a team player or that you can get along with others. It's loving because God loved you. If your allegiance is to Him and if you want to know Him, then you need to show love to everyone around you, including those that seem unlovable.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37
When someone asked Jesus who was his neighbor, Jesus told the story of a Samaritan helping a Jew. One thing that was probably especially poignant to the Jew listening to the story was that Jews and Samaritans hated each other. So remember that loving your neighbor doesn't just mean being nice to those people that you get along with. How are you doing showing love to those people that you just can't stand to be around?
I can think of someone that I really don't look forward to seeing. Inwardly, I groan every time I see this person coming toward me. You know, stops by to chat, even when you're busy, even when they have nothing really to say. Always has an opinion about everything and wants you to know it. Shares too much information, sometimes just to demonstrate that they know something. I have to admit that it's hard for me to show love to this person. But that's what loving your neighbor is all about--loving those people when love doesn't come easily.
I don't really have anyone that I work with that I just can't stand. I'm not at odds with anyone. Perhaps you are in your workplace. Perhaps there's a boss or coworker who is out to get you. Maybe that person is irritable or just hard to love. Jesus' message is that those are the people that you should be trying to seek out. The Good Samaritan knew not to expect anything in return for the love he showed. He knew this Jew might not have done the same for him. And note that the story doesn't say that he received anything back from the man that he helped. Don't show love so that this person will be nicer to you or so that he/she may help you in the future. Show love to this person because God loved you, even when you were unlovable.
When someone asked Jesus who was his neighbor, Jesus told the story of a Samaritan helping a Jew. One thing that was probably especially poignant to the Jew listening to the story was that Jews and Samaritans hated each other. So remember that loving your neighbor doesn't just mean being nice to those people that you get along with. How are you doing showing love to those people that you just can't stand to be around?
I can think of someone that I really don't look forward to seeing. Inwardly, I groan every time I see this person coming toward me. You know, stops by to chat, even when you're busy, even when they have nothing really to say. Always has an opinion about everything and wants you to know it. Shares too much information, sometimes just to demonstrate that they know something. I have to admit that it's hard for me to show love to this person. But that's what loving your neighbor is all about--loving those people when love doesn't come easily.
I don't really have anyone that I work with that I just can't stand. I'm not at odds with anyone. Perhaps you are in your workplace. Perhaps there's a boss or coworker who is out to get you. Maybe that person is irritable or just hard to love. Jesus' message is that those are the people that you should be trying to seek out. The Good Samaritan knew not to expect anything in return for the love he showed. He knew this Jew might not have done the same for him. And note that the story doesn't say that he received anything back from the man that he helped. Don't show love so that this person will be nicer to you or so that he/she may help you in the future. Show love to this person because God loved you, even when you were unlovable.
Monday, February 14, 2011
It All Comes Down to Love
Romans 13:8-10
Today is Valentine's day, a day when many people are thinking about someone they love. Usually, the people that we love make it easy for us by loving us back. But what about loving people that are not particularly lovable?
Jesus says that the greatest commandments are loving God and loving other people. In Romans 13, Paul says something similar to Roman Christians. "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another." The idea here is that the only obligation you should have is your obligation to love others. He goes on to say "whoever loves others has fulfilled the law."
Obviously, this applies to the workplace as well as it does to the pew on Sundays. How are you doing loving your neighbor at work?
Today is Valentine's day, a day when many people are thinking about someone they love. Usually, the people that we love make it easy for us by loving us back. But what about loving people that are not particularly lovable?
Jesus says that the greatest commandments are loving God and loving other people. In Romans 13, Paul says something similar to Roman Christians. "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another." The idea here is that the only obligation you should have is your obligation to love others. He goes on to say "whoever loves others has fulfilled the law."
Obviously, this applies to the workplace as well as it does to the pew on Sundays. How are you doing loving your neighbor at work?
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Be at Peace with Others
Romans 12:9-21
Sometimes, we get into conflicts with other people. There's no avoiding it. No matter how well you reflect Christ at work, you're going to find yourself in conflict with someone. In face, someone might be at odds with you just because of your faith. But other times, conflicts occur when we fight for our way, when our ambitions cause conflicts with others. Paul speaks to those occasions. "Live in harmony with others...as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." I see this verse as a call to not cause conflicts. Even when someone wrongs you, as Christians, you are called to turn the other cheek and show love to others. It's not easy, but it is one way to demonstrate how your faith makes you different. The world will tell you to fight back, to take up for yourself. Jesus tells you to deny yourself. If you have wronged anyone, you should make it right immediately. If someone is trying to pick a fight with you, "bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse...do not repay evil for evil...do not seek revenge." At the end of the day, the issue of blame doesn't matter--give in to the other person, regardless of who is in the right.
There's a motivation issue here as well. It's not about loving them for the purpose of "heaping burning coals on their head." Kill them with kindness, so to speak? The motivation is not kindness so that they'll feel guilty about mistreating you. It's about showing Christ's love, even when others don't deserve it.
Sometimes, we get into conflicts with other people. There's no avoiding it. No matter how well you reflect Christ at work, you're going to find yourself in conflict with someone. In face, someone might be at odds with you just because of your faith. But other times, conflicts occur when we fight for our way, when our ambitions cause conflicts with others. Paul speaks to those occasions. "Live in harmony with others...as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." I see this verse as a call to not cause conflicts. Even when someone wrongs you, as Christians, you are called to turn the other cheek and show love to others. It's not easy, but it is one way to demonstrate how your faith makes you different. The world will tell you to fight back, to take up for yourself. Jesus tells you to deny yourself. If you have wronged anyone, you should make it right immediately. If someone is trying to pick a fight with you, "bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse...do not repay evil for evil...do not seek revenge." At the end of the day, the issue of blame doesn't matter--give in to the other person, regardless of who is in the right.
There's a motivation issue here as well. It's not about loving them for the purpose of "heaping burning coals on their head." Kill them with kindness, so to speak? The motivation is not kindness so that they'll feel guilty about mistreating you. It's about showing Christ's love, even when others don't deserve it.
Monday, January 17, 2011
A Day to Celebrate Mercy
Today, many of us have off from work in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. King was a man who advocated for the disadvantaged. In his day (and some would say this is still true), non-Caucasians were seen as second-class citizens, denied even some of the most basic freedoms provided by our society to whites. I hope that, whoever you are and whatever you are doing today, you take a moment to think about the freedoms that you enjoy and how important those political freedoms are.
But this is a blog about Christianity in the workplace. Jesus had a great deal in common with King. Like King, Jesus identified with the disadvantaged in society. He rebuked His disciples for sending away children, and He praised the innocence with which children accepted Him. Children would never have been allowed around most of the other teachers in Jesus' day, so His recognition of them was truly unusual. Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4 (a Samaritan, a woman, and a divorcee!) and his associates with tax collectors and "sinners" are other illustrations of times when Jesus chose to associate with those that society generally rejected. James must have picked up on this attention to the oppressed as he wrote about perfect religion looking after widows and orphans (James 1:27), groups that had virtually no rights at that time.
How can you show mercy to those around you that are disadvantaged? First, ask yourself who it is that no one wants to be around. Second, look at who gets pushed to the margins in your organization. Then, befriend those people. Advocate for their considerations. You won't be popular--Jesus' actions separated Him from the religious leaders who plotted and later killed Him; King was thrown in jail and later assassinated. But it's the right thing to do. Throughout history, freedom comes to people because others are willing to stand up to oppression.
But this is a blog about Christianity in the workplace. Jesus had a great deal in common with King. Like King, Jesus identified with the disadvantaged in society. He rebuked His disciples for sending away children, and He praised the innocence with which children accepted Him. Children would never have been allowed around most of the other teachers in Jesus' day, so His recognition of them was truly unusual. Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4 (a Samaritan, a woman, and a divorcee!) and his associates with tax collectors and "sinners" are other illustrations of times when Jesus chose to associate with those that society generally rejected. James must have picked up on this attention to the oppressed as he wrote about perfect religion looking after widows and orphans (James 1:27), groups that had virtually no rights at that time.
How can you show mercy to those around you that are disadvantaged? First, ask yourself who it is that no one wants to be around. Second, look at who gets pushed to the margins in your organization. Then, befriend those people. Advocate for their considerations. You won't be popular--Jesus' actions separated Him from the religious leaders who plotted and later killed Him; King was thrown in jail and later assassinated. But it's the right thing to do. Throughout history, freedom comes to people because others are willing to stand up to oppression.
Monday, January 10, 2011
How Will People Know That You Follow Jesus?
John 13: 34
If you want people to know that you are a Christian, the best way, the only way to let them know is to love other people. "By this, everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." It's part of the greatest commandments. It's certainly going to make you stand out in the crowd as others notice that you're different. Love means that you're not justing "looking out for Number One." Instead, you consider others before you consider yourself. Love means turning the other cheek toward a vicious coworker. Love means not hoarding information so that you're the only one positioned for a promotion. Love means treating your subordinates with respect and dignity. Love means praying for your supervisor and obeying him/her, even when they don't deserve your loyalty.
The holidays are over, the new year has begun, and most people are starting to get back into a rhythm, the "daily grind" as some people call it. Before you become too set in that rhythm, think about how you can show God's love to the people around you. You may be surprised that it doesn't always win you friends. In fact, some people may make fun of you or gain at your expense. They did that to Jesus also. Remember that you're not doing those things to advance your career--you're doing them to be known as a follower of Jesus.
If you want people to know that you are a Christian, the best way, the only way to let them know is to love other people. "By this, everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." It's part of the greatest commandments. It's certainly going to make you stand out in the crowd as others notice that you're different. Love means that you're not justing "looking out for Number One." Instead, you consider others before you consider yourself. Love means turning the other cheek toward a vicious coworker. Love means not hoarding information so that you're the only one positioned for a promotion. Love means treating your subordinates with respect and dignity. Love means praying for your supervisor and obeying him/her, even when they don't deserve your loyalty.
The holidays are over, the new year has begun, and most people are starting to get back into a rhythm, the "daily grind" as some people call it. Before you become too set in that rhythm, think about how you can show God's love to the people around you. You may be surprised that it doesn't always win you friends. In fact, some people may make fun of you or gain at your expense. They did that to Jesus also. Remember that you're not doing those things to advance your career--you're doing them to be known as a follower of Jesus.
Monday, December 27, 2010
The Greatest Commandments at Work
Matthew 22: 37-39; Mark 12: 26-31
How would you respond if someone asked you what was the most important law in the United States? You might respond with don't murder, which is a pretty serious crime. You might mention our ability to vote or freedom of speech or something from the Bill of Rights. If the person asked you in April, some people might joke that the most important law was to pay your taxes on time. What about your workplace? What the most important policy where you work? Perhaps it's something about being on time. Or maybe it's your company's sexual harassment policy, since a harassment lawsuit is a major cost to an organization (not to mention that harassment demeans and devalues others).
It's hard to drill down to just one or two things that are THE most important things because, usually, laws and policies are written in such a way that they're all important. They guide our behavior, tell us what's acceptable and what's unacceptable.
Jesus faced a situation very similar to the hypothetical one that I gave you. An "expert in the law" was impressed with the way Jesus answered the traps of the Pharisees, so this expert asked Him, "which is the greatest commandment?" The Bible doesn't record any hesitation on Jesus' part--Love God with all that you are. Then Jesus gives the expert more than he asked by explaining the second greatest commandment--Love others just as much as you love yourself. The expert in the law wasn't just asking which of the 10 commandments was the most important. The Jewish leaders had laid out over 600 laws and regulations based on everything God had said to Moses and a few that they thought consistent with those teachings. But look at what Jesus says about why these two are the greatest of those 600--"All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Everything is summed up in this--Love God, Love Others.
I mentioned a few posts ago that the Golden Rule was useful because it was something easy to remember. This may even be easier: Love God, Love Others.
So how do you apply those things at work? First, you have to make sure that everything you do honors God. Are you living for Him at work? Or do you check your faith at the door on Sunday and live for yourself Monday through Friday? If you picture God sitting next to you at work all day, would He be proud of your actions or disappointed? Are you living distinctly for Him? Second, (and related to honoring God), are you showing mercy and love to those around you? Do you give people the benefit of the doubt if something doesn't go the way you'd like it to? Do people know you as the type to give second chances? Do you forgive others? Do you turn the other cheek when someone offends you?
If these are the greatest commandments, then it stands to reason that we need to think very carefully about how to apply them in our workplaces. Everything else depends on these.
How would you respond if someone asked you what was the most important law in the United States? You might respond with don't murder, which is a pretty serious crime. You might mention our ability to vote or freedom of speech or something from the Bill of Rights. If the person asked you in April, some people might joke that the most important law was to pay your taxes on time. What about your workplace? What the most important policy where you work? Perhaps it's something about being on time. Or maybe it's your company's sexual harassment policy, since a harassment lawsuit is a major cost to an organization (not to mention that harassment demeans and devalues others).
It's hard to drill down to just one or two things that are THE most important things because, usually, laws and policies are written in such a way that they're all important. They guide our behavior, tell us what's acceptable and what's unacceptable.
Jesus faced a situation very similar to the hypothetical one that I gave you. An "expert in the law" was impressed with the way Jesus answered the traps of the Pharisees, so this expert asked Him, "which is the greatest commandment?" The Bible doesn't record any hesitation on Jesus' part--Love God with all that you are. Then Jesus gives the expert more than he asked by explaining the second greatest commandment--Love others just as much as you love yourself. The expert in the law wasn't just asking which of the 10 commandments was the most important. The Jewish leaders had laid out over 600 laws and regulations based on everything God had said to Moses and a few that they thought consistent with those teachings. But look at what Jesus says about why these two are the greatest of those 600--"All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Everything is summed up in this--Love God, Love Others.
I mentioned a few posts ago that the Golden Rule was useful because it was something easy to remember. This may even be easier: Love God, Love Others.
So how do you apply those things at work? First, you have to make sure that everything you do honors God. Are you living for Him at work? Or do you check your faith at the door on Sunday and live for yourself Monday through Friday? If you picture God sitting next to you at work all day, would He be proud of your actions or disappointed? Are you living distinctly for Him? Second, (and related to honoring God), are you showing mercy and love to those around you? Do you give people the benefit of the doubt if something doesn't go the way you'd like it to? Do people know you as the type to give second chances? Do you forgive others? Do you turn the other cheek when someone offends you?
If these are the greatest commandments, then it stands to reason that we need to think very carefully about how to apply them in our workplaces. Everything else depends on these.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Love Your Enemies...What About Your Coworkers?
Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-35
The Bible is replete with the idea of love. John 4 says that describes the very nature of God as being love ("God is love"). In the two passages listed above, Jesus tells his followers to love their enemies. That doesn't seem right. Jesus, are you sure you got that right? Didn't you mean love your friends? It's pretty counter intuitive to love your enemies. And I don't think that Jesus is talking about loving them with the motivation that Paul mentions in Romans 12:20 of "heaping coals onto their heads." If that's the only motivation that gets you to show kindness to a rival, I suppose that's better than nothing. But I think, given the context of each passage, I think Jesus means to show genuine regard for your enemies. Watch out for them. Treat them, not with hostility, but with kindness. You've probably experienced a coworker or two that, while you might not use the term "enemy," they certainly weren't on the same side as you. We prefer "rival" or "competitor" in a business setting. How can you love your rivals? If a coworker is competing with you for the same promotion, how can you love him or her? Jesus says that everyone loves those who help them and are likely to love back. But Jesus demonstrated love for us, before we loved him (Romans 5: 6-8).
Perhaps one way to show love is to smile. Genuinely, not the kind of smile that says "I'm really angry on the inside." Perhaps a genuine compliment to your rival or about your rival to someone else. Maybe making sure he or she has equal access to information or to face-time with your boss. I don't think that loving your enemy means that you automatically cede the promotion to him or her. But perhaps making sure that you are judged on merits, not on any unfair advantage that tilts your way. And then, whether you get the promotion or not, be sure to be gracious in winning or in losing.
Another way to show love is forgiveness if someone wrongs you. I'll have a post in the not too distance future that focuses specifically on forgiveness. Forgiving others who cheat you, lie to you, or in any other way wrong you is a central part of turning the other cheek. Loving your enemies means not seeking revenge.
What are some other ways you can love your rivals? And what would the outcome be if you did that? I know it's tempting to say that they'd take advantage of you, and that may be very true in the short term. But what would happen long term? For the most part, Jesus never won over most of His rivals, but look at what happened because He loved them anyway.
The Bible is replete with the idea of love. John 4 says that describes the very nature of God as being love ("God is love"). In the two passages listed above, Jesus tells his followers to love their enemies. That doesn't seem right. Jesus, are you sure you got that right? Didn't you mean love your friends? It's pretty counter intuitive to love your enemies. And I don't think that Jesus is talking about loving them with the motivation that Paul mentions in Romans 12:20 of "heaping coals onto their heads." If that's the only motivation that gets you to show kindness to a rival, I suppose that's better than nothing. But I think, given the context of each passage, I think Jesus means to show genuine regard for your enemies. Watch out for them. Treat them, not with hostility, but with kindness. You've probably experienced a coworker or two that, while you might not use the term "enemy," they certainly weren't on the same side as you. We prefer "rival" or "competitor" in a business setting. How can you love your rivals? If a coworker is competing with you for the same promotion, how can you love him or her? Jesus says that everyone loves those who help them and are likely to love back. But Jesus demonstrated love for us, before we loved him (Romans 5: 6-8).
Perhaps one way to show love is to smile. Genuinely, not the kind of smile that says "I'm really angry on the inside." Perhaps a genuine compliment to your rival or about your rival to someone else. Maybe making sure he or she has equal access to information or to face-time with your boss. I don't think that loving your enemy means that you automatically cede the promotion to him or her. But perhaps making sure that you are judged on merits, not on any unfair advantage that tilts your way. And then, whether you get the promotion or not, be sure to be gracious in winning or in losing.
Another way to show love is forgiveness if someone wrongs you. I'll have a post in the not too distance future that focuses specifically on forgiveness. Forgiving others who cheat you, lie to you, or in any other way wrong you is a central part of turning the other cheek. Loving your enemies means not seeking revenge.
What are some other ways you can love your rivals? And what would the outcome be if you did that? I know it's tempting to say that they'd take advantage of you, and that may be very true in the short term. But what would happen long term? For the most part, Jesus never won over most of His rivals, but look at what happened because He loved them anyway.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sinful Nature and Fruit of the Spirit in the Workplace
Galatians 5:19-26
Galatians 5:19-21 is a long list of "acts of the sinful nature," those things that come naturally to a lot of people. A number of those things seem particularly common in workplaces--hatred, discord, jealousy, selfish ambitions, envy. I have certainly known people that hated their boss or coworkers and that spread discord as a response to that hatred. I think our selfish ambitions may prompt jealousy or envy as others enjoy success.
But Paul calls Christians to be different from that. In fact, if Christians are living in step with God's Spirit, a very different list is evident in their lives--love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. What do those look like in the workplace? Maybe it means loving your boss, regardless of whether he or she is deserving of that love. Maybe it means having patience with coworkers. Perhaps God's Spirit living in you at work means that you are kind and gentle with subordinates. What ideas come to your mind as you think about the fruit of God's Spirit in your workplace?
One important thing with these lists--they aren't a list of don't's followed by a list of do's. Both lists are the result of being or not being in step with God's Spirit. I wonder how many times we try to be connected to God's Spirit on Sunday, but then live closer to the sinful nature during the week. Part of being a 24/7 Christian is connecting to God's Spirit constantly, not just once a week.
Galatians 5:19-21 is a long list of "acts of the sinful nature," those things that come naturally to a lot of people. A number of those things seem particularly common in workplaces--hatred, discord, jealousy, selfish ambitions, envy. I have certainly known people that hated their boss or coworkers and that spread discord as a response to that hatred. I think our selfish ambitions may prompt jealousy or envy as others enjoy success.
But Paul calls Christians to be different from that. In fact, if Christians are living in step with God's Spirit, a very different list is evident in their lives--love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. What do those look like in the workplace? Maybe it means loving your boss, regardless of whether he or she is deserving of that love. Maybe it means having patience with coworkers. Perhaps God's Spirit living in you at work means that you are kind and gentle with subordinates. What ideas come to your mind as you think about the fruit of God's Spirit in your workplace?
One important thing with these lists--they aren't a list of don't's followed by a list of do's. Both lists are the result of being or not being in step with God's Spirit. I wonder how many times we try to be connected to God's Spirit on Sunday, but then live closer to the sinful nature during the week. Part of being a 24/7 Christian is connecting to God's Spirit constantly, not just once a week.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Serve One Another In Love
Galatians 5:13-15
The context of this passage is more about church conflicts than work conflicts, but I think the principle is applicable in both settings. Paul warns the Galatian Christians that "if you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." What an apt picture of some workplace conflicts. They may start small, with each person noticing annoyances in the other or with each person afraid that his or her turf is being challenged. That's the biting. Soon, it may move to devouring as each plots and protects, unwilling to surrender anything that might give the other an upper hand or a sense of victory. That's not how God sees conflict. Serve one another in love. Love your neighbor as yourself. How would your behavior at work change if you were trying to serve your coworker in love or trying to love your subordinate as yourself?
The context of this passage is more about church conflicts than work conflicts, but I think the principle is applicable in both settings. Paul warns the Galatian Christians that "if you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." What an apt picture of some workplace conflicts. They may start small, with each person noticing annoyances in the other or with each person afraid that his or her turf is being challenged. That's the biting. Soon, it may move to devouring as each plots and protects, unwilling to surrender anything that might give the other an upper hand or a sense of victory. That's not how God sees conflict. Serve one another in love. Love your neighbor as yourself. How would your behavior at work change if you were trying to serve your coworker in love or trying to love your subordinate as yourself?
Friday, September 17, 2010
Love One Another
1 Peter 4:8
cf John 4:7 ff, John 13:34-35, Matthew 22:39, and many others
One of the central themes of the Bible is that we need to love the people around us. Jesus argued that loving our neighbor (by which he meant everyone we are in contact with) was one of the greatest commandments, and that all of the Old Testament law and prophets were pointing to loving God and loving other people. Jesus told the Apostles that people would know they followed Him because of their love. John tells us that God is love and that we show our love for God by loving others. Peter tells us to love each other deeply.
So the question stands, how do you love your coworker? How do you love your boss? How do you love those people that report to you? It's a bigger question than one post for sure, but it's a question that you need to ask yourself.
When your coworker is annoying or even backstabbing you, how do you love him/her? When your boss ignores your accomplishments but picks on you for every little mistake, how do you love him/her? When your subordinates need more direction than you think they should or aren't performing up to your standards, how do you love them? If your tendency is to think that there's a quick answer, you should probably wrestle with the question more. First, start by praying for those people. I've already mentioned praying for your supervisor. But also, pray for those coworkers who must annoy or frustrate you. Pray for yourself as you relate to others.
But that's just the first step. In later posts, I'll revisit the question, but even as we examine other passages and practical ways to love others in the workplace, this is something that all of us need to spend some time with. How can you show Christ's love to the people around you?
cf John 4:7 ff, John 13:34-35, Matthew 22:39, and many others
One of the central themes of the Bible is that we need to love the people around us. Jesus argued that loving our neighbor (by which he meant everyone we are in contact with) was one of the greatest commandments, and that all of the Old Testament law and prophets were pointing to loving God and loving other people. Jesus told the Apostles that people would know they followed Him because of their love. John tells us that God is love and that we show our love for God by loving others. Peter tells us to love each other deeply.
So the question stands, how do you love your coworker? How do you love your boss? How do you love those people that report to you? It's a bigger question than one post for sure, but it's a question that you need to ask yourself.
When your coworker is annoying or even backstabbing you, how do you love him/her? When your boss ignores your accomplishments but picks on you for every little mistake, how do you love him/her? When your subordinates need more direction than you think they should or aren't performing up to your standards, how do you love them? If your tendency is to think that there's a quick answer, you should probably wrestle with the question more. First, start by praying for those people. I've already mentioned praying for your supervisor. But also, pray for those coworkers who must annoy or frustrate you. Pray for yourself as you relate to others.
But that's just the first step. In later posts, I'll revisit the question, but even as we examine other passages and practical ways to love others in the workplace, this is something that all of us need to spend some time with. How can you show Christ's love to the people around you?
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