By Tanya Jolliffe
When I was a junior in college, one of my professors made a statement that has come back to me repeatedly over the years. She was teaching about administrative leadership in food service and said, “Remember, the person who does the job knows the job best. Listen to them when desiring to make a change, and you will never go wrong.”
Since then, I have worked in various settings where this fundamental truth has not been considered. Each time, there were negative ramifications for workers who lost their jobs and the organization that suffered a more severe setback.
Recently, I watched it play out in my life again: good people were being obedient to their biblical call, doing their work unto the LORD but leadership thought they knew better and made decisions that wouldn’t benefit their bottom line. In Colossians 3:23-24 NIV, we are wisely advised, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Pride often directs decisions, and God is very clear about how he feels about pride:
- “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God” (Psalm 10:4 NIV).
- “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2 NIV).
Regardless of the motivation of decision-makers, God will have the final say. Luckily, no matter what we are facing, “The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me” (Psalm 116:5-6 NIV).
So how do we “keep on, keeping on” when it feels like we are swimming against the current and leaders are not making decisions according to the will of the LORD? Here are five steps to help you keep moving forward.
1 – Remember that we are better together. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV).
2 – Find other people eager to serve the LORD and have demonstrated that they are called according to His purpose to walk next to and serve alongside because “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11 NIV). “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16 NIV).
3 – “Rejoice always.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV)
4 – “Pray continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV)
5 – “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Why? Because “this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).
Things may be out of your hands, but they are never out of the hands of the LORD. You can still have peace regardless of how things turn out, whether you are listened to or not. Remember, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods” (Psalm 40:4 NIV).
Trust in the LORD and keep on, keeping on!
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