Let God Promote You

Ever been around someone who is constantly telling you how great they are?  To hear them tell it, they are the best thing since sliced bread.  They’ve done everything.  They know something about every topic you can name.  They always have something to add.  They like the sound of their own voice and will share it as much as they can.  They have an opinion about everything.  They are always looking for the next big promotion or next big thing, but not very invested in what they are doing at the moment.  I’m sure you can envision at least one person you know who fits these characteristics.  They are so busy telling you how great they are that they miss out when things happen.  They are not the one who are asked to participate or given an opportunity when the time comes.  I know a few people like that (I hope you're not one of them).  

Lately, I’ve been dealing with this very thing at work.  One of the managers who works for me is constantly working to get accolades for projects she does (Matt 23:12).  Don’t get me wrong, she does good work, but she could be better and she appears to do things for the wrong reasons – self elevation.  Remember, I’ve said before, everything matters, including our motives.  If our motives are only to elevate ourselves, we’ll never be truly elevated.  Elevation and/or promotion comes from God (Psalm 75:6-7) – if it doesn’t it is in jeopardy (it’s not real or lasting).  

I’ve shared what I’ve learned with my managers and I’ll share it with you.  Instead of focusing on tomorrow (which you may not see anyway), focus on today.  The best preparation for the tomorrow is giving your best today.  Learn and grow where you are so you are the best "You", you can be.  Yes, God gives us skills and talents, but there is still work to develop them.  A gifted musician must still learn to read and write music to be the best musician they can be – it doesn’t mean they are any less talented, only that there is more to learn to enhance their God given ability.  The same is true of each of us.  Whatever gifts and talents God blessed us with, we are to invest time and effort in the development of them so they can be at their best.  

If we give our best to God and don’t worry about being elevated in man’s eyes, God will do the promoting (Luke 14:11).  People in power will come to you instead of you needing to seek them out.  They will make a path for you that you don’t have to sell yourself to be considered.   Those of you who know me well, know that I don’t care about titles and such.  It’s not important to me, because I know who I am.  At the end of the day, I’m Jesus’s little sister and God’s daughter and I’m working to be more and more like them.  I was chosen and forgiven.  I am nothing without Christ’s sacrifice for me.  I’ve been adopted into the family.  He has given me gifts and talents to use for His Glory.  If we settle in on who we are, all the other stuff is just extra.  It’s not something we need to be content.  

If you’re that person in need of accolades and promotion and status, ask why.  What need does it fulfill for you?  You are not your title.  You are not what you have.  You are not what you do.  Who are you when no one is looking?  Do some self-reflection to get to the heart of the need.  And, if you find that there is a hole in your life that needs filling, try Jesus (Matt 6:33).  Having a relationship with Him and studying the Word of God will fill those empty spaces if you let them.  And then when the time is appropriate and you are ready for the promotion, God will give it (1 Peter 5:6-7)……not for your glory, but for His.