Galatians 6:9And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not give up.
I have tried to live by this approach for most of my career. At times, I must be honest, it was not easy. When you see people get ahead in their careers and they are not Christlike in their actions and you are trying to do things the way you feel God wants you to, it gets very frustrating. Between people stepping all over others to get ahead and abusing their staff to make their operations more profitable and to look better, I would cringe.
Through those years, I was not progressing up the corporate ladder like I thought I should with my talents. I leaned on God’s advice in Galatians 6:9 and persevered. Another Bible verse that called to me was Romans 2:2. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
I am not saying that just the “bad guys” were getting ahead, but there was more than what I thought should. It would have been easy to conform to the style of management that was acceptable just to be promoted, but that was not my style. I have been very passionate about my leadership style for decades and eventually realized it was due to my faith in God and His guidance in my life. But, let us not give in and quit doing what is right. God has told us that if we persevere, we will reap the rewards.
It works! I persevered through the tough times in my career. I have been with my current employer for over 25 years and can, at work, openly express my faith in God and witness to what He has done in my life. I can teach others how to lead their teams with God’s guidance. I have been living stress free for close to ten years, partially by realizing that other people’s behavior does not have to influence mine.
I can lead my team, my way, God’s way, and it works!
It would have been easy to give in and copy other’s behaviors. That is not what God wanted me to do. I am so glad I listened. I can look back on my career and feel confident in my approach.
How have you preserved? How did it affect you along the way? How did you reap the rewards for doing good?
