OBEDIENT HEART
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
Ephesians 6:5 (NIV)
Respect can be a difficult thing to give to those above us. We sometimes work for difficult people who use tactics that we don't agree with or like, so we lose respect for them. It is something that is hard to get back if we ever do, once it is lost.
When we hear the word fear, we usually think of being scared. According to Desiring God, this refers to a deep respect, reverential awe and a serious awareness of accountability. This means we need a different thought process when dealing with our leaders.
I have had many times in my life when I've struggled to respect someone I was working for. There were many reasons for this, including moral issues, questionable practices and treatment of others. I saw these as things that weren't negotiable and not worthy of my respect. In these situations, I had to do one of two things. I either had to leave or find a way to go forward, trying to work with that person and grow as an employee.
As I look at this verse, it's clear that we must again examine our hearts and our relationship with Jesus. Are we being sincere in our obedience to Jesus? If we truly are, then we need to make sure that is in our hearts and that we are ready to use it in our daily lives. If our hearts are postured in this way, then obeying and respecting our bosses or leaders becomes easier.
APPLICATION: Pause each day at work and invite God into your day. Ask Him to help you to respect and obey your leadership as you obey Jesus. If you struggle with this during your day, go back to God in prayer.
PRAYER: God, help me see others as You see them. No matter the difficulties I may have with a boss or a leader, help me to respect and obey them. Help me to grow in my ability to do this. In Your Son's precious Name I pray, amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?