The title of this post is one of my favorite sermons of my dad’s that he gave a few years before his death. I’ve listened to that sermon many times over the last ten years or so, when things were topsy-turvy in my life. It wasn’t just the comfort of hearing his voice again, but I really loved the message. All week, Pastor Greg Laurie has been preaching on the same topic.
After what do we pursue? Both pastors discuss how “easy” it is to get off track on this earth and begin pursuing the wrong things. We view success in ways that we weren’t meant to, such as job titles, finances, possessions, etc. Not that it’s wrong to want to climb the job ladder in life, but often times it’s HOW we do it. Many people forget that our purpose here is to be Disciples for Christ and we throw that aside and do what I call: “step on whoever and do whatever it takes to climb that ladder.”
Of course God wants us to give 100% to our employer and to work hard (Proverbs 10:3; 12:11; 12:24), but not to compromise him. God honors a good employee and no matter what happens on this earth, He works all things together for good to those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)
My reason for posting this today is because I had a heavy heart yesterday when I found out that my sister was laid off from her job. She was a great employee to this company for 14 years and this company treated her very poorly and made her feel kicked in the gut. I know that feeling because I have also been laid off from a company before. It hurt me to hear her feeling so down and not being able to be there for her, so I prayed constantly yesterday that God would heal her broken spirit. I felt God speak to me and remind me that once again He was in control.
My sister means so much to me. She’s a wonderful person and I know that she’s always strived to walk in God’s footsteps throughout her life. I feel that since she’s always tried to “pursue” what was honorable to God, that God is going to bless her and lead her in a direction that she’ll be able to serve the Lord in an even more effective way. So what I’m trying to say is that whenever life throws you a curve, it very well could be that just around the bend is something much more fullfilling and rewarding.
I love you sis!
Nancy… Thanks. My prayer today is for the 4000+ employees of my “old” company that got the same treatment that I did. Many of these people were with the company for 25 years. We helped build the company that now tells us that we aren’t needed anymore and aren’t as good as the people they can get in another country. It does shake you to the core and it does make you feel betrayed. Fortunately, I have Christ in my life. I can only pray for the other people that may not know him.
I pray that the leaders in corporate America wake up to this outsourcing and realize what their greed is doing to people of their own country. The verse below is ringing in my ears this week.
Proverbs 22:16
Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.