Be a Blessing, Not a Jerk!

I had to take my car to Jiffy Lube recently.  They had a comfortable waiting room, with comfortable chairs, so it didn’t bother me to wait longer than the 10 minutes they usually try to promote.  However, the T.V. wasn’t working, so it was unusually quiet.  Most of us were on our phones or other mobile devices.  Then, a successful looking man got a call on his phone.  He was polite enough to take it outside.  But, his conversation was anything but private.  In fact, he was loud and proud to share with us all about his life.  This twenty-something businessman began to tell the person on the other line about how he had recently told his boss off.  He bragged about how he had a company car, took care of personal things during business hours and continued to boast about his lack of respect for the person in charge of him.

There were only two of us left in the waiting room at that point.  We just looked at each other and shook our heads.  Not in judgement, but just because this guy was trying to sound cool, but instead he sounded like a jerk.

I couldn’t help but wonder why his boss would allow him to treat him that way.  I doubted his success would last long (or at least at that particular business).  And more importantly, I began to wonder what caused him to become the way he was.  Did he begin to rebel because one of his parents was an authoritarian?  Or were his parents very permissive and let him get away with anything?  It made me actually very sad for this man and for his boss.

Over the years I have been blessed enough to work for some wonderful people.  And…I have worked with wonderful people who demonstrated what hard work really is.  As Christians, we have an even greater responsibility to be great workers.  We are to be obedient, submitting to authority (as I mentioned in my previous post on rebellion, “even to those who are unreasonable”) and use those opportunities where we don’t agree with those around us or in charge of us to grow.  Yes, there are times where are jobs can be so stressful, that we have to find other jobs.  We don’t want to risk our physical or mental health if we are truly that unhappy.  But, while you are there, be a blessing!  Don’t be a jerk!!

Jesus was the greatest example of a servant.  It is more precious for us to serve than to worry about our personal rights wherever we are.  When we are being persecuted, we are supposed to consider it a privilege.  But, our flesh wants to fight.  Jesus could have fought for His rights.  But, He didn’t.  He humbly submitted to authority.  Phillipians 2:6-8, “6 Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. 7 He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. 8 And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.”

I encourage you to read Phillipians to be reminded how to respond in times of affliction, how to humble ourselves, having confidence in anything other than Christ, and having peace with others.

I want to leave you with these reminders of how we are to submit and serve:

Service on the Job / Submission in Business / Submission to Each Other:   “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:21 NIV

Submit to Our Employers:  ” Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.”  1 Peter 2:18 NASB

” Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear (reverence).  Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ.” Ephesicans 6:5

Serving: “Work hard, but not just to please your masters when they are watching.  As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than people.” Ephesians 6:6-7 NLT  (See also Colossians 3:22-24, “…It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” v. 24b)

My prayer is that if you would be a blessing wherever you are at, whether you are a Stay at Home Mom, a successful business person, or you make minimum wage.  You are important. Your job is important (whether it is in your eyes or the eyes of others doesn’t matter).  God has you there for a time and a season to Be A Blessing!!

Lesson #1 – Rebellion

Years ago I was struggling with something and was in prayer about it when I felt God say to me, “You have a rebellious heart.”  At first, I was like, “What?”  But, then He began to reveal to me areas where I had been rebellious and not submitted to authority.  Then, He gently urged me to ask for His forgiveness.

The person I remember the most was President Bill Clinton.  During the whole Monica Lewinsky scandal, I sat there and watched with judgement, disgust and self-righteousness.  God reminded me that we are to pray for those in leadership.

1 Timothy 2: 1, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Rebellion comes from a place of pride.  We think we know better or perhaps are smarter than those in authority.  Pride was the first sin.  Satan thought he could do a better job than God, questioned His authority and rebelled.  The Israelites rebelled against Moses.   Once again, they thought they knew better than Moses (ultimately God) and didn’t enter the promised land.

Hebrews 3:8 & Psalms 95:8 warn, “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,[a] As in the day of trial[b] in the wilderness,” (NKJV) or “Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,[a] as you did that day at Massah[b] in the wilderness,”  (NIV).  Meribah means “quarreling” Massah means “testing.”

We have all been in situations where we did not agree with people in authority.  It may have been our parents, an employer or even law enforcement.  However, we are still supposed to respect and submit to those we don’t agree with.  1 Peter 2: 18, “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.”  Peter urges us to have an attitude of submission for it is the Christlike way to bring harmony and true freedom (1 Peter 2:13-3:12).

Sure, there are times where we need to stand up for what we believe in, especially if what is being taught is unbiblical.  However, we must be bold and confidant in our faith, but humbled by our flesh. One of the best ways we can fight is through prayer.  Let God battle for us.  “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).  Be mad at the devil.  But, also, take a step back and examine your own heart.  Are YOU the one being unreasonable?  1 Samuel 15:23 says, “For rebellion is a s the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry,” (KJV).

There may be a reason God has allowed for you to work for an “unreasonable” boss or under the leadership of someone you don’t always agree with.  Perhaps He is trying to teach you submission to authority.  Use the time to learn, to grow and to be patient through the process.  Bless those in authority by praying for them, working hard for them.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily (from the soul), as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve,” (Colossian 3:23-24 NASB)

I pray that you will have a soft heart to hear what God is trying to teach you during this time.  Blessings~ Kellie

I Have Issues

I Have Issues.  Don’t we all?  I used to hide some of my flaws or try to mask or cover them up.  But, that gets really tiresome.  Instead, I have found FREEDOM in being truthful, open and honest about my “issues.”  I have found truthfulness opens up a dialogue of discussion when you mention that you deal with something physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually.  The wonderful thing about issues is…they can be overcome.  See, I AM AN OVERCOMER.  I have found VICTORY through Jesus Christ, my Friend, my Lord and my Savior for the past 20 years.  And…He has put it on my heart to share my struggles and my victories with other people.  See, none of us should feel shame or isolation because we struggle.  All of us do.  So, instead…let’s share our struggles with one another so we don’t feel so alone.  AND…we can learn lessons through it all.  Isn’t that what life is about?  For me, it has been the journey and I can’t wait for the destination!