What I Wish I'd Known - Spiritually
As we advance in our careers and life, there are countless, valuable lessons that we learn along the way. Unfortunately, sometimes the learning process can be painful at best. As I’m now retired from my business career spending most of my time in ministry, I often find myself sharing the lessons I learned the hard way with young professionals, hoping to help them avoid the bumps and bruises I endured to gain this insight.
Over the next two weeks, I want to take some time to share some of the lessons I learned along the way with you. As I reflected on what I could share, I realized I had both spiritual and professional advice and will be devoting a week to each.
This week, we will dive into spiritual bits of wisdom that I hope individuals at any age can find impactful. No matter what life stage you are currently walking through, I hope you pause and consider these points.
You Are Not In Control
This may seem like basic advice, but let me tell you, this is a lesson that can cause real pain as you are learning it the hard way. In American Christianity, we have this idea that we are the masters of our own destiny. We believe if we work hard, we deserve rewards and that we can control our fate through our actions. I used to think I could outwork anyone, and that would help propel me toward achieving my goals. This principle may work well in the economy, but God’s Kingdom is not capitalist! There is One in charge, and it’s not you.
Most of us at some point will face a situation that obliterates the notion that you are in control. It may be loss of a job, a terrifying health diagnosis, or the loss of a loved one. For me, it was when I watched my precious infant daughter fight to live after a medical mistake nearly took her life. I realized then that things in life don’t always seem to make sense and that there is nothing I can do to control it. I had to let go and trust in God’s plan, knowing His ways are far beyond my understanding. Once I did this, I experienced freedom like I’d never known before. I hope you can learn to do this without having to go through a personal tragedy like so many do.
You Are Not Supremely Important
As you get that first taste of success in your life, it can be very easy to start thinking quite a lot about yourself and think about yourself quite a lot. You might begin thinking your role in the world is of supreme importance. Your organization couldn’t possibly function without you, you might believe. When you believe yourself to be supremely important, you find yourself disregarding others.
When I worked in the Executive Suite at Baker Hughes and Waste Management, it could be easy to look at the executives as the most important employees. After all, we were the ones keeping all the plates spinning, right? Something that my Dad taught me when I worked with him in our family construction business while I was in school, was how important the people are who are doing the hands-on work. He taught me to ask them what was causing them the most frustration at work–and then fix it. And to ask them what they would do to better serve our customers–and then do it. And always let them know how much you appreciate them. We all have a role to play in God’s Kingdom. Your role may put you in a position of leadership, but that doesn’t mean you are supremely important. Understanding that will help you put others first and show Jesus’ heart for servitude in your everyday life.
You Are Supremely Important
Wait, didn’t I just say you’re not supremely important? You are not the supremely important person on this earth, but you are supremely important to God. He, in His infinite love that is beyond our understanding, loves each of us supremely. He pursues us with a love and passion we cannot even comprehend. He wants nothing more than for you to know Him deeply and personally. He loves you so much He sent his beloved Son to die an excruciating death for you. He thinks about you 24/7, 365 days a year. You are His precious child.
When my children were born, I experienced a love like I’d never known. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt there was nothing on earth I wouldn’t do for them. I loved them with a fierceness that was, honestly, a little terrifying at first! I’m sure all parents can relate to that feeling. As intense as a parent's love for their child is, that is just a reflection of the greatness of His love for you. Sometimes we take that for granted, but I hope you never forget that the Creator of the Universe, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and Omega, loves YOU deeply, passionately, and forever.
As you go about your daily lives, take a moment to reflect on these truths. These are lessons God taught me, sometimes, the hard way, that have transformed my life and way of thinking. I pray God will imprint His love and truths on your heart as well so that you can have the impact on others in this life that He designed for you.