Larry’s sermon Sunday on identity is an important one. A couple of years ago, I was still working for my former employer. It was a good job—perfect for a tough economy—stable, good retirement, decent income and benefits, and a fair chance I could work there ‘til the cows came home.
I hit a few bumps when a new boss came on board. For some reason, we didn’t hit it off, which was strange for me since I get along with most everyone. Apparently, this guy was immune to my charms and ignorant of my exceptional intellectual prowess. Go figure.
Soon, fear crept in. What if I don’t make this guy’s grading curve? What if I lose my good standing and reputation? What if I lose my job? It spiraled from there.
God began to challenge me with that still, small voice: “Just who is your provider? Is this job your entire identity?” Around that same time, doors began to open for me to freelance, something I always said I wanted to do. Now that the chance presented itself, I was shocked to realize how much identity and security I found in my position—and how hard it was to let go.
Then a friend shared a remarkable story. An executive coach who works with top CEOs all over the world, my friend told of a time when she found herself working for a particularly difficult boss. Eventually, she was miserable and had to make a choice. She approached her boss and said something like this: “Listen, if you believe my time here has run its course, I’ll say my goodbyes. No hard feelings. But if you feel I still have something to offer this company, I would like to stay.” Then she added, “But I will not work for you.”
I gulped when she told me that. How could she be so blunt? She said, “Because I know who my provider is.” She stayed with that firm, and she got a new boss. Remarkably, they valued her honesty, but she was ready to leave if it had worked out otherwise.
When we know that our provision and affirmation come from God, fear loses steam. If our identity depends on careers, reputation, or image, we can’t risk losing those things to such moments of honesty with others or even with ourselves. Likewise, in those times when we have no choice but to stay, even when we are unfairly treated or unvalued, we can survive knowing our worth is not derived from what we do. It is a huge lesson. A lifetime lesson.
Who do we trust for provision, sense of self, affirmation, or even to justify our existence? If I trust in God, he says I am complete in him—period. I may spend the rest of my life learning to surrender to that truth and to rest in that grace, but I am finding that the more I do, the more fearlessly I can live.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
What's Your Portion?
Nothing like a funeral to put a little perspective on life. I attended two this weekend! At both we sang, "Amazing Grace," but one included verse three, often omitted. It's my favorite:
In my daily devotional*, today the reading was from the book of Job where Job's wife, distraught over their losses, urges Job to curse God and die. "But Job replies, 'You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad? So in all this, Job said nothing wrong." (Job 2:8-10)
Diane Ebel**, writer of this devotional, says "There are many people who look at the suffering in the world and conclude that God does not exist—and even if he does, they want nothing to do with him. How can you love and serve a God who allows such misery? Job's wife despaired of having a relationship with a God who would destroy her life overnight. She told her husband to abandon his integrity and his relationship with God. Job's response illustrates one of the great truths of Bible: the wise person values the Giver more than the gifts. As common as it is for us to love God mostly because of what he has given us rather than because of who he is, Job shows us that such an attitude is ultimately foolish."
The wise person values the Giver more than the gifts.
If God is our portion, then no matter what our losses or disappointments, we rest in knowing that He is enough. Yes, it takes faith to stand on that. No doubt, we have to remind ourselves--often--that our unfulfilled longings are markers, pointing us to the Source of ultimate fulfillment. But if we hold to this truth that God is our portion, I believe he will show us that he is enough. More than enough, in fact. We have been given God himself, through Christ. What more can we need?
*The daily online devotional I read is called, "Encouraging Words: Daily Devotional for Women." You can sign up for a free subscription at http://www.christianitytoday.com/lyris/subscribe/encouragingwords.html. The devotions are quite short, so it's easy to read one each day, no matter how busy your morning!
**Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions
The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.The Lord is my portion? What does that mean?
In my daily devotional*, today the reading was from the book of Job where Job's wife, distraught over their losses, urges Job to curse God and die. "But Job replies, 'You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad? So in all this, Job said nothing wrong." (Job 2:8-10)
Diane Ebel**, writer of this devotional, says "There are many people who look at the suffering in the world and conclude that God does not exist—and even if he does, they want nothing to do with him. How can you love and serve a God who allows such misery? Job's wife despaired of having a relationship with a God who would destroy her life overnight. She told her husband to abandon his integrity and his relationship with God. Job's response illustrates one of the great truths of Bible: the wise person values the Giver more than the gifts. As common as it is for us to love God mostly because of what he has given us rather than because of who he is, Job shows us that such an attitude is ultimately foolish."
The wise person values the Giver more than the gifts.
If God is our portion, then no matter what our losses or disappointments, we rest in knowing that He is enough. Yes, it takes faith to stand on that. No doubt, we have to remind ourselves--often--that our unfulfilled longings are markers, pointing us to the Source of ultimate fulfillment. But if we hold to this truth that God is our portion, I believe he will show us that he is enough. More than enough, in fact. We have been given God himself, through Christ. What more can we need?
Colossians 2:9-10: 9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
Romans 8:38-39: 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
*The daily online devotional I read is called, "Encouraging Words: Daily Devotional for Women." You can sign up for a free subscription at http://www.christianitytoday.com/lyris/subscribe/encouragingwords.html. The devotions are quite short, so it's easy to read one each day, no matter how busy your morning!
**Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Perspective
Just got back from vacation last week. Nothing like a road trip and time away from the daily grind to give you a little perspective. We were up in the mountains where the air is cool, and somehow those long-range views remind you that the world is very big, and in the grand scheme of things, our troubles are momentary and small. Within the first day or two, I ran across the passage where Jesus tells his followers not to worry. He reminds them that worry will not add an inch to their height or a moment to their days. He also reminds them that "your Father knows what you need." So "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you." In my gut, I knew God was going to talk to me about this, even before we arrived.
I've been working mad hours in the last few months, all out of a sense of obligation because times are tough. It just seemed wrong to turn down any opportunity that came my way when there is no guarantee that another opportunity will arise tomorrow. But this passage and that "still small voice" reminded me of two things. First, I'm not God. It is not my obligation to fix the world. Second, if I refuse to say no once in a while, I am acting as if I believe the world does indeed depend on me and God can't quite be trusted. By refusing to say no, I am also demonstrating that I don't really believe Jesus' words when he says, "The Father knows what you need....Seek first..." There's an element of trust involved when we say no, when we set a few margins around our lives, when we make time to stop and listen to God, to listen to our families, to have dinner with them, to make room for friends or for our spouses. It takes an element of trust to do all of these things instead of simply working all the time as though our existence depended solely on our labor.
Lesson learned. Writer Randy Alcorn once wrote, "What do you need to say no to so that you can say "yes" to the things God is asking you to do?" I know in my "knower" what I need to say no to. Do you?
I've been working mad hours in the last few months, all out of a sense of obligation because times are tough. It just seemed wrong to turn down any opportunity that came my way when there is no guarantee that another opportunity will arise tomorrow. But this passage and that "still small voice" reminded me of two things. First, I'm not God. It is not my obligation to fix the world. Second, if I refuse to say no once in a while, I am acting as if I believe the world does indeed depend on me and God can't quite be trusted. By refusing to say no, I am also demonstrating that I don't really believe Jesus' words when he says, "The Father knows what you need....Seek first..." There's an element of trust involved when we say no, when we set a few margins around our lives, when we make time to stop and listen to God, to listen to our families, to have dinner with them, to make room for friends or for our spouses. It takes an element of trust to do all of these things instead of simply working all the time as though our existence depended solely on our labor.
Lesson learned. Writer Randy Alcorn once wrote, "What do you need to say no to so that you can say "yes" to the things God is asking you to do?" I know in my "knower" what I need to say no to. Do you?
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