On a Great Life-Lesson in Transition

As I transition out of my job I have left my office for the temporary cubicle world. This episodic foray touched off a curious game of musical chairs as a number of moves were afoot. In the space of three days I was forced to move three times, so I cheerfully (well OK not always) went through the office pushing a cart with my few office possessions to the next cube, singing along the way. I greeted my temporary neighbors with a smile; all warning me to keep my singing to a minimum. I must admit, going from a place of settled comfort to a series of temporary places did lessen my morale. So maybe it was also coupled with the loss of position and a sense of temporal uncertainty of a new job which to-date still is in a hazy cloud.

I am not overly-concerned with the job-future, although I must continue to remind myself of the "sparrow and the lillies"; this chapter has reminded me of temporary nature of our earthly tent, that is our body. I was curious of the middle-eastern bedouines. These simple peoples push their sheep across the desert, or fastidiously farm the reeds along the Tigris. Theirs is a simple lot and it reminds me that travelling light is not a bad thing.

While I have been consumed by these transitions, frankly little else has occupied my time, I have to realize that little eternal value is recompensed for our job performance, our temporary merits or our achievements, no matter how towering. I am reminded of the Judgment Seat of Christ which shall examine our investment here, Paul intimates this in 1Cr 3:12-14 "Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. This foundation here he speaks of if Christ. In other words, only the spiritual things done in the right heart will last, are timeless diamonds, is limitless gold, and eternal silver!

Hard work and merit on earth are fine, even encouraged as "unto the Lord", but I am to take heed to the those things that will not be burned up...those that will abide.....not like the office or the cubicle or the position....or the money. It reminds me of the poem from the unknown author which ends with this phrase.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,"Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all";
Only one life,'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

esc

Transparent Leadership

On Building a Legacy of Transparent Leadership I once witnessed a person of power openly admit that they didn’t know what to do about a tough dilemma that the organization was currently facing. Their personal vulnerability was transparent and in a sense a very enriching personal experience for me. To listen to this man admit that he needed help was a very powerful lesson in leadership. We often create legends of the men and women who lead us; they’re either exemplars that we idolize or ones that we despise because of personal insecurities which render them poor examples of demon-seeded megalomania. Such dichotomous examples muddle the waters of aspiring leaders who may want to flee away from the arena of leadership and cast a mystical light on the cult of human power. The solution is simple; just admit it when you don’t know. When we leaders admit our faults or our lack of certainty or clarity during times of crisis, or even during the mundane for that fact, we communicate to our team that we need them. We need every member to draw from wells of creativity and help us get past the obstacles. When this happens this accomplishes some powerful things. 1. We admit we that “surprisingly” don’t know it all. Such admissions refresh the team; they draw people into solutions, creating personal value and growth in their lives and make them want to achieve the “victory for the cause”. It bonds them to us and creates a compelling organizational ethos. 2. We model humility in an age of pride, arrogance and shallowness. Wow! That preaches. 3. We communicate that it’s okay to be human, admitting one’s flaws in a culture where stylistic robot-like precision is grappled for and feigned intellect is capital for so-called power brokers. 4. That admitting that I don’t know is not a weakness, but a strength that most-often yields a deeper level of love and respect from one’s team. 5. That such honestly is the basic fabric that makes up the bedrock of organizations of integrity. Leaders who are transparent enough to admit their faults and powerlessness at times are really the strong. This is the stuff that creates real “leader-legends” and legacies of confidence for our subordinates that really endure.

Having a Good Name

Pro 22:1 A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, [and] loving favour rather than silver and gold. If I have my name on it, I insist on it being of good quality. If God puts His name on it, we must insist on not besmirching it. If you're redeemed, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Make up your mind to mortify the deeds of the flesh and live in fear of the Lord. The only way of insuring a good name. Choose it.

When Your Prayers Fail

Psa 66:18 says, If I regard iniquity in my heart,the Lord will not hear [me]. Often, we fail, often we sin. It is a wise thing to keep short accounts with our Heavenly Father. Christ taught the disciples to pray and in that prayer he reveals what our attitudes are to be towards the Almighty. An attitude of adoration and veneration and a surrendered humble servant confessing our sins and forgiving others. Until such devotion is rendered we cannot even begin to ask for our physical needs. Spurgeon comments on this verse in his "A Treasury of David": (On) Verse 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart. If, having seen it to be there, I continue to gaze upon it without aversion; if I cherish it, have a side glance of love toward it, excuse it, and palliate it; The Lord will not hear me. How can he? Can I desire him to connive at my sin, and accept me while I wilfully cling to any evil way? Nothing hinders prayer like iniquity harboured in the breast; as with Cain, so with us, sin lieth at the door, and blocks the passage. If thou listen to the devil, God will not listen to thee. If you refuse to hear God's commands, he will surely refuse to hear thy prayers. An imperfect petition God will hear for Christ's sake, but not one which is wilfully miswritten by a traitor's hand. For God to accept our devotions, while we are delighting in sin, would be to make himself the God of hypocrites, which is a fitter name for Satan than for the Holy One of Israel. Wise counsel indeed. Blessings.