Just passed a Porsche in the parking lot on my way to the bus this morning, which jolted my memory back to part of a talk I heard at Kingdom Bound several years ago.
It’s worth revisiting.
We can tend to end up with people based on attraction, can’t we? And jumping to instant conclusions can lead us to settling for a beater when our heart is meant for a Porsche.
God’s heart is set for our best.
Nothing less.
So why do we jump to settle?
Coz we have to wait, and we tend to think we know better when we let our emotions and attractions lead our decision making.
I am gonna take this message, originally about guys & gals, a step further today, and talk about the others we get into bed with.
When you form a partnership or arrangement with a company, church, employer or partnership, you essentially become linked spiritually. Like a marriage.
And if one of you isn’t healthy, you can both become unwell or one of you ends up the other’s punching bag (verbally, emotionally, spiritually..)
We are to be just as careful who we partner with as we are to be wise about choosing our spouse.
I worked for a great organization as a young adult for several years, My last six months there, a new boss was hired who so overloaded the team with her work that we couldn’t get ours done, and then berated us for being lazy. As good as the organization was, it didn’t protect us or allow for complaints up the chain, so the entire team quit within a year.
No one signs up to be treated like crap by their employer. When I met Him, God made it quite clear to me when I was to leave this job.
Several years later, I was working for another well known company. When I started, the company held well-balanced policies to encourage both customer and employee satisfaction. It was a hard job, but one where we all felt supported and encouraged to be our best.
Fast forward a few years to upper management changes, and a new direction for dealing with employees. Not one of encouragement but fear of reprisal. No longer challenged to reach goals, ordered to hit them or else. And the company I thought I was working for revealed its new dark side. Again, God guided me to part ways.
But the silver lining of that departure allowed for me to be hired by a former client who thought I would be a good fit for his small business, and who serves the Lord with no holds barred.
To the world it was a dumb choice, but to the Lord it was the wise choice.
Now my boss would be the first to say he isn’t perfect. but He is relying on the One who is.
And that can make all the difference.
Another former boss I had was not a believer, but believes in pursuing excellence in every detail at work. He was a great boss, and I only left because there was no room to grow. He still models doing his best every day.
Here’s my point.
What looks like a beater on the outside may have the best qualities under the hood.
And sometimes your Porsche has major problems lurking below the surface.
Before you form a partnership, apply for a job, or ask that person you are interested in out on a date, please ask God for His opinion.
First.
And if need be, ask Him to confirm what you think you are hearing.
The Bible is clear on a few things we tend to overlook at times when we are caught up in our emotions:
Don’t throw your pearls before swine.
Your talents are meant to be used where God wants you to use them best, not the enemy’s slop yard.
Also known as….
Don’t leap before you look.
Instead of immediate action, do the hardest thing for yourself in that moment, and wait…
Seek God.
Listen for His voice.
Wait for confirmation.
Then act accordingly.
If you are being pressured in the moment for an immediate answer, answer NO.
If time is of the essence, God will give you the right answer in the right time…His.
Because we can’t always see what is really going on behind the scenes in corporations, in our churches, in our partnerships…
But He can.
He knows each of our hearts, and knows who is the best fit where. (We are part of His body, after all!)
Anything else is settling for second best.
If you are a hard worker, unintentionally accepting a job from a lazy boss will drive you crazy. And God knows it.
Instead of jumping to take the first job you can because you are scared you won’t have enough. ask the God who provides to ensure you have all you need in the wait for the right position yet to come.
He may want you to start your own business, form a new partnership, or work where you never expected you would.
If He is leading you there. He has equipped you to work there.
Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.
Don’t be a yes man at any cost. Ask God for discernment, and reply as He leads. This has been one of the hardest but most precious lessons He has taught me, as I was headed down the road of people pleaser at my own expense. I now pray and wait before I respond, and can tell you there is much blessing to be found in following instead of reacting.
Be careful with whom you end up aligning yourself.
Where our heart is, our treasure is found.
When you give Him your heart, giftedness and willingness to serve where He wants you, you will reap the rewards He has in store for you.
You might think a particular person would be a great business partner, but God knows they are headed down a dangerous road which will negatively impact your business, and you, if you join forces.
Don’t gloss over the details.
The God who sees each and every wildflower He creates, knows each tear we cry, and hair on our heads? He pays attention to the details.
Become informed about the company you are thinking on working for. Check out their website, look up their financial status. Look at the chatter on their social media & advertising campaigns.
Do the same for the church you are thinking about joining, the organization you are interested in volunteering with, and the person who wants to hire you or go into business with you.
You might be surprised what you may learn. But God isn’t.
Quality matters. You reap what you sow.
God didn’t skimp when He made the world or each of us. He did so to the best of His ability.
We are hardwired to do likewise.
That is why being placed where God wants you to do your best is so important, to all three of the people involved….you, your boss/partner, and God.
You because you are blessed when you do your best for Him.
Your boss/partner will reap the blessings of your best for the business.
God will be blessed because you are using the gifts He gave you where He wants you to, for His glory and Kingdom.
Final Thought:
When we allow God to guide us to the best fit for our skills & gifts, He take us out of the boxing ring of impulsiveness where the enemy has been beating on us, and moves us into the wise open spaces of shelter He has waiting for us. There will be storms ahead, but we will be under the cover of His blessing through our obedience.
God has a place for you in heaven. and a place for you here on earth.
May we ask for His wisdom to see what is under the cover of what we can glimpse in the natural, and never fail to allow Him to safely lead us.
I know this is possible. because He has done it for Moses, David, Paul, Ruth, Rahab and so many more whose history you can read in the Word.
If He can do it for those willing to follow, He will do so for you & I, because He never changes!
Here’s to wise choices led by Wisdom Himself.
KARLA LEES 