Quote of the Week

"It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it. The motive is everything"

A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God, p. 127

How a Christian Leaves His Job

For the past two weeks, sports media outlets like ESPN have been filled with incessant talk and angst about Lebron James' free agency decision - will he leave the Cleveland Cavaliers, his hometown team? Who will have the benefit of his considerable skills - Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls?

It's "over the top" and resulted the unthinkable - eclipsing coverage of the World Cup Finals! On Thursday night, Lebron James announced in an ESPN special show that he was going to the Miami Heat. It was followed by a heated response from the Cleveland Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert. Gilbert characterized Lebron's actions, in particular, the manner in which he made and announced his decision as "a several day, narcissistic, self promotional buildup...". While Gilbert's response was particularly edgy, he was not alone - many others in the media found it distasteful.

The point of this post isn't about Lebron's character or his choice to leave Cleveland Cavaliers. Most of us won't be playing professional sports anytime soon and when we leave our place of employment, it won't be as public. However, I'm wondering if there are lessons to learn from Lebron's actions that can apply to how our own employment opportunities. In this high paced, transient, corporate world we live in, many of us will have more than 10 jobs in our lifetime. Sometimes we're forced to leave our place of work due to a termination, but often, we'll have opportunities presented to us. What's the right way to leave a job that happens?

I'd like to suggest that "love for neighbor" is one of the primary issues we should consider when we are presented with our own "decision". Unlike marriage, we're not expected to stay in a job "for better or for worse" or "till death do us part". However, as Christians, we're called to act in a loving manner, not simply in the context of the church and family, but in all of life... including our place of work. This means that when we are considering to leave our place of employment, we should do so with kindness and care toward those we work with.

We should ask ourselves the following questions and wrestle with the answers-

"Is this a good time to leave?" - if you're in the middle of a project, your role is critical and people are counting on your contribution, it's probably not the right time. Trust that God will make an opportune time for your departure such that you won't alienate your fellow workers and cast a bad light on the reputation of Christ.

"How will my departure affect those who remain and how can I make that transition easier?" - if you choose to leave, then do so in way that can makes it easy for the organization to transition your departure.

"How can I be sure not to demonstrate respect for those who remain - fellow employees and management" - hint: no gloating about your new wonderful job (... and no ESPN special show to promote yourself and publicly humiliate the team you're leaving)

"How can I recognize the good things about the current place of employment and how I've benefited from it" - think about all you've gained in experience, friendships that have enriched you, help that you've received over the years .

Anything I've missed here - what are your thoughts?

Quote of the Week

"Therefore human desires to increase the production of goods and services are not in themselves greedy or materialistic or evil. Rather, such desires to be more productive represent God-given desires to accomplish and achieve and solve problems. They represent God-given desires to exercise dominion over the earth and exercise faithful stewardship so that we and others may enjoy the resources of the earth that God made for our use and for our enjoyment."

Wayne Grudem, Business for the Glory of God, p.28

Leaders Are Always On

Harvard professor, Rosabeth Moss Kanter blogs about how a leader's words and action are always on display. Failure to remember this can be costly as former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown can attest to. A carelessly spoken word when he assumed microphones were off, may have indeed cost Brown the British election.

Kanter explains -

"At a rally shortly before the election, Prime Minister Brown was asked some awkward questions about foreign workers that he answered politely. A few minutes later, he was heard over an open channel and later the broadcast airwaves complaining to aides for exposing him to "a bigoted woman". His insult and apology dominated press coverage... There is no "off" switch for leaders."

Most of us will never attain such lofty positions of leadership but the lesson is a good one. If you plan to lead, you need to be aware that your words and actions are always on display, especially in our current social media infused world. The burden of leadership is that people are watching and they often take their cues from what we say and do. Here's what Kanter says -

"Followers can be acutely attuned to the merest hint of a leader's state of mind and act on their assumptions, sometimes tragically."

Yet, for the Christian, it is not simply the eyes and ears of men that should concern us. Our speech and actions are always before God. We are regulated by His Spirit. Our hearts are convicted when we speak unkindly or carelessly. We are called to account for our secret actions. In a way, we are truly "always on" - not simply in front on men and women but before the Audience of One.

"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned"

Matt 12:36

Quote of the Week

"It's natural and healthy to hope for ourselves, but it's provincial and unhealthy to hope only for ourselves. Egocentric persons curve in on themselves. With only their own interests at heart, and only their own futures in view, they eventually harden themselves into a small, snail-like shell... But the person who keeps her head up so that she can look out toward the future of others - this is a person with some range to her hope. This is a person who has been enlarged by the Holy Spirit."

Cornelius Plantinga, Engaging God's World, p.12

How Do You Handle the Poison Cup?

Just finished reading an interesting article from Vincent Bacote on what he calls the "poison cup". The poison cup is what happens when ambition meets with fame or recognition. Bacote's article is based on the recent announcement that renown preacher John Piper, is stepping down for a period of time in order to address "several species" of pride in his life, stepping away from "the poisonous cup of international fame and notoriety".

Bacote explores the question of ambition, fame and pride by asking this soul penetrating question -

"What is it about the pursuit of our ambition, our legitimate and godly desires for success in vocation, that can become poisonous when it meets that admiration and recognition of others?"

It's a difficult but necessary question to ponder and answer, even if you never become as famous as John Piper. All of us, in our respective spheres of influence, can be tempted to thrive on fame and recognition. We can find greater delight in the praise of our clients, coworkers and the CEO than in the praise of God. We can breath in the rarefied air of recognition for "a job well done" or being viewed as "indispensable". Perhaps in a far less dramatic way, we are all susceptible to the "poisonous cup".

Assuming most of us cannot simply take a leave of absence from our work, what can we do about this? How do we crucify our love for the "praise of men" and cultivate true humility?

No absolute answers but here's a thought - we ought to hold lightly to any honor we may receive - whether it comes by way of our position, wealth or ability. In fact, Proverbs soberly reminds us that praise from others is a test of our soul -

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.
Proverbs 27:21

We can also aim for something better. While many have faltered by taking sips of the poisonous cup, John Piper and other godly men show us how to deal with the poison cup of praise and fame. You have to deal with it radically. You make the changes you need to, even if it means taking a leave of absence. You take radical steps when you realize that fame, notoriety and praise of men pale in comparison to hearing your Father say "well done, good and faithful servant". One of the chief ways we battle our unhealthy desire for recognition is by seeking recognition from the One whose praise is ultimately valued. We can refrain from feeding on the praise of men by seeking praise from God.