December 20th – Moving Up

Taking It to Work:

We have a choice at work: 1) Strive to impress our boss, co-workers or customers, in hopes of a raise or being promoted, or 2) We can simply strive to give our best effort to please our Lord and to truly help those we serve. If we do the latter, we won’t have to worry about advancement, it will be a natural part of our journey with Him.

It may also end up being a very different journey. How so? Often, what we are asked to do at work, or our career, is not in the best interest of our overall life. I’m not talking about doing anything unethical, but something that hinders what God wants in the rest of your life.

There are tens of thousands men and women out there that have been successful in their careers, some wildly successful, but have very broken homes as a price for that success. There are many women that live with regret, who went to work to support a standard of living, when in retrospect they would have much rather have been with their children. Some men and women have given up the idea of having a family all together, to travel or climb a corporate ladder, and later deeply regret that decision.

God’s measure of success is far different than what our career or boss may push us to do. If you are truly following Him, and not the dollars, lifestyle or the titles of this world, your decisions will be different than the person next to you. You’ll find that God will be moving you to His definition of success, His perfect balance for your life.

When you are called to work, you will work hard as you are working for Him. But when He leads you to work less, so that you can pray more, be at your son’s game, or take your family to church, be obedient to that first. He will take care of your finances, and if He wants that promotion for you, or that chance to travel, you will get it.

Work hard when you work, but strive for the balance that will bring His true success, as His Word works in your life, today.

Jer 29:11 (ESV) – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Mark 4:18-19 (ESV) – And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Psalm 75:7 (ESV) – But it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.

James 1:17 (ESV)- Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Matt 6:33 (ESV) – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):

The best may be to come, but only by My favor. For My children there should be no striving for position. Trust in My providence for you. Whole-heartedly follow My lead and calling, and advancement will be at My hand. Seek not the rising in stature nor wage, but seek to obey My ways and give your greatest effort to the responsibilities afforded you. Resist the way of the sluggard who does only what is forced, or less. But seek instead, the way of the diligent, giving more than what is asked. Do it for the joy of blessing those you serve, for self in Godly pride of doing the task well, and to My honor as you serve Me through serving them. In this is your true advancement. Growth in My eyes exceeds all the acknowledgement of men. Reach for the level that pleases Me, and in My hand will be your growth among men.