Promotion? What now?

Ever been placed in a position you thought you were not ready for? One where you didn’t have the credentials? One where you felt like an imposter? Well, you’re not alone. I know I’ve felt as if I was in over my head on more than one occasion. But what can you do? What steps can you take to help you navigate when that happens? 

Pray. Seek God and His righteousness first in all you do (Matt 6:33). When we acknowledge Him, He will direct our footsteps and he will guide our way (Prov 3:5-6). As we seek Him, He will add all the things we need so we don’t have a need to worry. He will provide wisdom and understanding for us as we walk out what he’s called us to. 

Don’t worry. Worry is the opposite of prayer (Phil 4:6-7).  Worry drives us away from God and makes us believe we should handle issues on our own. We can’t. We need God in all aspects of our lives, leading and guiding us. When we begin to make decisions and choices apart from God and His guidance, we get in trouble. 

Do the work. When we get into positions where we feel over our head, we seek to learn. Do the work we can do as if working for the Lord (Col 3:23-24). One thing I’ve learned is that God will not do what we can do on our own. It’s up to us to give whatever God calls us to our best. Our role to further God’s kingdom. So, we do whatever we can do – study that book, practice that instrument, get that degree, learn that language, etc. When we do what only we can do, we leave the rest to God. He cares for us and He will take our burdens, if we allow Him to (1 Pet 5:7). 

Stay humble. We can do nothing in and of ourselves (John 15:5). We don’t even own our emotions. So, we have to remember it is only in God that we live, move and have our being (Acts 17:28). When we remain humble, we remember that God elevates us (1 Pet 5:6). When we remember that God is in control and owns everything, we are reminded that we are only a small part of God’s plan and that none of us are more important than others. All God’s children are part of the body of Christ and we all have a role in God’s kingdom. 

Have faith. We know God is with us always. He won’t leave us, so we are never alone. No matter the circumstance, we belong to God. As you pray, believe He will do just what He said (Matt 21:22). He is a promise keeper. If He said a thing, it will happen. 

So, when someone (including yourself) says you don’t deserve a particular position or you can’t do it, remember you can do all things through Christ (Phil 4:13) and that promotion comes from God (Psa 75:6-7). When we don’t seek it ourselves and God moves us, He does not make mistakes. Rest in that knowledge and give it everything you’ve got. 

Faith and Doubt

Recently, I’ve been studying the book of Genesis and what has jumped out at me is how while Abraham is known as the Father of Faith and he’s known for being willing to sacrifice Isaac, he was still a man who doubted God along the way in certain areas of his life. It was the doubt of Sarah having a baby that led to the birth of Ismael (Gen 16:1-4). More than once, it was Abraham’s fear of being killed that led him and Sarah to lie about their relationship leading rulers to believe they were only brother and sister (Gen 12:10-20; Gen 20). 

On the other side of that, it was his belief in God that led to him leaving his family behind and going to a place that God would show him (Gen 12:1-7). It was his belief in God that kept him from taking anything from the King of Sodom (Gen 14:22-23). It was his belief that God keeps His promises that led Abraham up that mountain to sacrifice Isaac (Gen 22:1-19). How are there two sides of this man, Abraham? Faith and Doubt. 

Like Abraham, I find myself in the same situation. Now, I’ve never created an Ismael and all the issues that brought (at least I don’t think I have), but I have definitely had my doubts about whether and when I was to move on something I had heard from God. I’ve also moved without seeking His guidance and it’s been an absolute mess. What about you? 

Do I believe God? Yes! Do I believe His Word is true? Absolutely! But I struggle with my role in the plan and sometimes I wonder if God really has me or if I need to do something on my own. Every time I do, it doesn’t turn out well, but sometimes I forget that He cares for me (1 Pet 5:6-7)…..that He is working all things for my good (Rom 8:28). Sometimes I get ahead of Him and want to push things along because I’m tired of waiting on His timing. 

Thank God for grace and mercy or I would have been destroyed by my own devices. As the father of the boy, with the mute spirit, said, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” I sometimes forget that all things are possible to those who believe (Mark 9:17-27). It’s so easy to get distracted by what is going on around me or what I want to accomplish, that I sometimes lose sight of God. 

I get so busy with the work that I lose sight of the Master and His plan for me. Yes, we were created to do good works (Eph 2:10), but not in the absence of the One who sent us. This is one more reason to keep our mind stayed on Him. If we stay focused on Him and His direction, the works we do will be for His glory and we won’t get distracted in the midst of them. As we focus on Him and not what’s happening (or not happening) around us, our faith and our relationship with Him will grow. 

I can say I have more faith than doubt and I’m growing more every day. What about you? Lord, we believe. Help our unbelief. 

Life in the Rock

Sorry this entry is late, but I’ve been in Italy with all it’s history and culture since last weekend. I had the opportunity, while in Rome, to see the Colosseum and Vatican City where Michelangelo painted scenes from Genesis on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel as well as The Last Judgement on the altar wall. I also saw St. Peter’s Basilica. I’m not sure what I expected but it was overwhelming to take it all in.

After leaving Rome, one of my best friends and I traveled South to Naples and the Amalfi Coast where we stayed in Sorrento (I can highly recommend visiting). While there, we took a boat tour around the Island of Capri, a resort island dating back to the Roman Empire. It’s known for its high-end shopping and celebrity guests.

While it was beautiful to see from the boat, one thing that stood out to me as we toured around the island and observed some marvelous rock formations and amazing florescence in caves and grottos was the life that was growing out of the walls of rock that made up the island. I’ve seen the phenomena before but today it hit differently. It amazes me how life can grow out of the most desolate places. Out of limestone and sandstone, you see trees and other vegetation. Where does it come from? Scientifically, your guess is as good as mine. However, we know that all life is from God.

His amazing creation will continue to flourish and grow because He created it to do just that (Gen 1:9-13). If the God we serve can create vegetation and all life from nothing, surely, He can bring forth life from rock where no life should exist. Just as the life He once created in the garden still thrives in the most unexpected places, we, too, who are one with Christ find our life and hope in the Rock. The Lord is our rock and our fortress (2 Sam 22:3; Psa 18:2). It is in Him that we can take refuge and be protected. He is our deliverer.

When things get hard and it feels like dreams and promises have died, remember, there is life in the Rock. Jesus is the stone which the builders rejected who has become the chief corner stone. (Psa 118:22). He only is our rock and our salvation (Psa 62:2). We can do all things through Him (Phil 4:13).