God's Mighty Men My work has went through some very tough transitions in the month of January and it has made several of the employees extremely angry/negative. I have really struggled trying to keep a smile on my face when I encounter them. A few of them I have had to tell them that they cannot steal my Joy – a quote that my wife has told me to tell them (coming from Joel O.).
Yesterday I went to church with my Son and Pastor Jeff was ending a Sermon Series on Deeper – expanding your relationship with Christ to a higher level. The last portion of his sermon really hit a spot for me about my work>
Romans 12:9-21 > 9. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
These verses are one of the hardest things to do and as Jeff said “It takes Courage” to put these into practice… But as Christians we must be Christ like in all situations we encounter – even at work with the difficult ones.
At one point I thought if I just stay away from all of these people who are stealing my Joy – then I will make it through the day. Well that did not work – as the scripture says above we must embrace the opportunities to shine where the enemy has a strong hold. So as I have been embracing this opportunity to enhance my relationship with Christ – it really works – it is getting Deeper each time I practice the verses above.
So are you encountering a situation where Christ is requiring you to shine?
It does take Courage to be what Christ would have us be in all situations…
Bobbyg
