When I was a child

Last night I had to stop for milk on my way home. In the line (at the check out), there was a young dad trying to control his child. The child wanted a sweet and the dad did not want to buy it last night. The toddler was shouting and crying and then accused the dad of lying. Once I moved beyond my own fatigue after a long day and irritation with everything around me, I thought that conversation was a little interesting. Apparently the dad promised to buy a sweet last week and did so. Trying to reason with a toddler who was probably tired and hungry, seemed to be an impossible task.

Driving home, I thought about how often I do just the same in my relationship with God. I have quoted Him out of context, even in talking to Him. I have cried and begged. I have not listened or tried to understand reason.

One issue I am particularly hung up on, is healing. I cannot understand why some people get healed and others not. On Sunday, we talked about this in our community. I wish there was a formula we could follow to get a 'yes' from God.

On the other hand, I wish I could get to the place Paul was when he wrote to the Corinthians, saying 'when I was a child, I reasoned like a child'. Nobody I know wants to be branded as a 'naughty child'. Yet, I do not understand.

Today, I am right back at that all too familiar place, where I do not know the answers.

Work it out

Last Sunday a ‘distant colleague’ died in her sleep. Carolyn worked in a different department, but we shared the occasional lunch. In fact, we had lunch on Friday. She was 33, like me and her death came as a tremendous shock to me.

At the same time, it brought so many other issues to the surface. I come from a background where people would now be asking: “Where did she wake up?” They would probably turn this into an opportunity to evangelize the entire building. I am all for sharing the Good News. I am all for making a stand for Jesus. I love the idea that my job can be a tool in doing just this.

See, I think my job is a way to acknowledge that God is Number One and to make Him known as Number One. If God did not pave my way, I would not be in the position I am at the moment. Therefore the income generated by doing my job, also belongs to Him.

As Christians, a lot of eyes are watching our every move very closely and maybe even waiting for us to put a foot wrong. I am not suggesting that we are somehow immune or above making mistakes, but there are obvious guidelines.

A few of them could be:

• How do I go around with company property? Do I abuse phones? Internet? Stationary?
• Do I really give the company all the time I sell to them or do I waste time when I am supposed to work?
• Is my work of the highest quality at all times?
• How much time do I spend at work or working? Am I neglecting my family in favor of my job? If God is Number One, can I really work more than 60 hours a week? Is that fair to my family?
• Just what is the message I give to my colleagues and employer in doing that? Am I for sale? Will I be the donkey doing ‘whatever it takes’? Or… dare I take a stand in favour of God and relationships?
• How do I treat my superiors? Paul suggested we work as if for God Himself. Might not be a bad idea...
• How do I treat my peers? Do I love them like I love myself? Or am I involved in unnecessary office politics?
• How do I treat junior staff? The security guard? The cleaner? The graduate trainee? Do I consider them higher than myself and do I serve them or do I sit back and merely make
  demands?

Working is an essential part of our community and social structure. However, it is only a means to another end. Our lives do not revolve around working; our lives revolve around God, our Number One. It is all about Him.

Our jobs bring us in contact with people who might not have contact with the Body in any other way. We are missionaries in Johannesburg. A lot of cliché’s come to mind… we might be the only Bible they read? Let’s say that is true… what do they read in my life? And yours?

The challenge is to keep God Number One, all the time. How do we do that? Maybe talking to God about our jobs is a good start? Maybe talking to God about each others’ jobs could follow on that?

I have a lot of questions and not many answers. If Carolyn could come back one more week, I would probably not change much in our relationship. Maybe I would spend more time praying for my colleagues? Maybe I will do just that.

We had a few frauds recently. Instead of joining in the gossip and crucifying the offenders, I could pray for my colleagues.

May God help us to make Him Number One in our day to day living. May God be with us when we work. May He inspire us and give us fresh ideas. May He use us to touch the people around us. May He work in us, so we will bear fruit.

I would love to know what your thoughts are on this matter?

When the lights are dimming

Lord, my heart is weak, alone & afraid. It feels like the darkness is settling in again and it is difficult to see any solutions. My feet are heavy and my eyes full of tears. I am scared of what the day might hold.

Please help me, just today, to cope with life and its demands?

In Jesus' Name,
Amen