“…yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42b NIV)
An innovative worker came up with a way to increase efficiency, reduce the potential for workplace injuries, and at the same time speed up productivity, all positive outcomes. He shared his idea with the team working in his area. Team members felt it was a good idea and they decided to act on it. Sure enough, all of the benefits of adopting the idea were realized. There was only one problem. Nobody had cleared the change, not even mentioned it to the supervisor in charge of the area where the group worked. While there was no intent to override authority, just an effort to show initiative and improve output, the group should have brought it up in one of the daily early morning meetings. This would show respect for the authority over them and also this would be a way to make sure there was nothing being overlooked. However, as mentioned, this did not take place.
When the supervisor came to the area and saw the change, he became irate and immediately told the group to cease the new way of how they were performing the work and go back to doing it the way that they were trained. The innovative worker who came up with the idea spoke up in a respectful way and explained the benefits of their changing the way of processing their work. The supervisor, once just obviously irritated became irate and elevated it to a tone that one would call indignant. I cannot even share the words that came out of his mouth. In response, the innovative worker, now seen as a trouble maker by his supervisor, simply shook his head to indicate that he would comply with the supervisor’s directive. As he walked away, he smiled and actually raised a hand in the air. The supervisor asked, “Why are you behaving so inappropriate?” The innovative worker turned and calmly said, “My behavior can only be explained by these words. I was celebrating the fact that I had the victory over any temptation to escalate matters. I was smiling because I was obedient to the Lord in two ways. First, I was being subject to the authority over me. Second, I was praising God for helping me control my tongue. If my actions sent the wrong message to you, I apologize.” The supervisor not only indicated that he appreciated the innovative worker’s apology, but he took it a step further by saying, “Perhaps we can talk about your idea further tomorrow.”
The innovative worker, obviously a Christian, reinforced the belief, if for no one other than himself, that God’s way works. Think on this true account and see if there are ways that you can choose God’s will, opt to follow God’s way more frequently in your daily experiences at home, work, church, or in your encounters that take place in other spaces. Have a great Thursday! Remember that strength does not always look like strength, and substantiate that thought by the word of God, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. (Psalm 28:7 NIV).” Also, read the following verse, one of your favorites, once again! Be blessed!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 Modern English Version)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King