Wow, God always is looking out for me and lately, I have felt wronged when I received my latest performance management review and I was told that I pretty much didn't do much positive things in the last year according to my manager. I thought to myself, Gee thanks boss for nothing. It made me angry and rebellious in nature. I was sent his comments yesterday and as I read through them, I thought how could he say these things to me!! It felt like an attack on me and it made me feel like rebelling. I won't take it anymore is what I thought. Tired of being trampled on by him and others and made to look foolish. Yet, I read this devotional for today and know that God sent it for a reason and for me to read it.
In the devotional, it says the following: "Each of us must have freedom and boundaries in our work life. Whenever you are hired for a job, you must have the freedom to make certain decisions. You must have the authority to manage things within your area of expertise. You must also have limits within your area of responsibility. You need to know where those limits are and stay within them. Both freedom and boundaries are always under the umbrella of God's authority and our authorities at work."
Note the bold text (emphasis mine). I need to know where my limits are in my responsibilities and stay within them. Are you serious, God? So, God, you are telling me that I have limits in what I should be doing in my job and if I go outside of my main job responsibilites, then I am asking for trouble? That sure would explain why I was docked in my year-end review for not listening and obeying what my manager said I needed to do. Wow, I did rebel against what I was told and now I am paying the price. It hurts and it is no fun when we rebel and make a situation worse than what it would have been if we only would have listened to authority and submitted.
Later in the devotional, it says: "You and I are tempted every day to go beyond our God-ordained boundaries. It all represents rebellion toward God." I can relate to this for sure. I mean, come on, I see opportunities for our department to reach out and connect directly with our customers and prospects. Why can't we engage with them on an online community forum? Why do I have to stop when told to do so just because a few people are uneasy about what I am doing? Can't everyone see the benefits looking at us if we only would try new ways of marketing? Why can't I lead this charge into social media? Why do I have to let another group lead this charge? It is just not fair! Come on God, can't you see this decision for me to not talk about or share thoughts on social media with others here at work is killing me? What about ME? What about my wants and needs? What about my career?
Finally, the devotional ends with this statement: "Ask God to show you His freedom and boundaries for your life. These are meant to enhance your life, not hinder it."
So, what I really need to do to find "life" in Christ is to let go of my wants, needs, and selfish ambitions. If I want to live my life like Jesus and be a witness to others through my actions and words, then I need to be broken down by God and stay within my limits at work. That is the only way I am going to find true freedom. Through the cross, I will find grace and freedom. Amen.
Freedom and Boundaries
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, November 26 2008:
"Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, 'Did God really say, "You must not eat from any tree in the garden"?'" - Genesis 3:1
God is big on giving man freedom and boundaries-freedom to manage what He has entrusted to us, boundaries to protect us from evil. The boundaries in the Garden of Eden were not set for the purpose of limiting Adam. Man got into trouble when he questioned those boundaries. God had provided everything he would need for life. He also entrusted man with responsibility to manage and work the Garden. God gave him freedom in that responsibility. God knows we were made to express ourselves creatively through our work.
Each of us must have freedom and boundaries in our work life. Whenever you are hired for a job, you must have the freedom to make certain decisions. You must have the authority to manage things within your area of expertise. You must also have limits within your area of responsibility. You need to know where those limits are and stay within them. Both freedom and boundaries are always under the umbrella of God's authority and our authorities at work.
Jesus understood these boundaries. When He was tempted for 40 days by the devil after being baptized, He was challenged by satan to go outside His freedom and boundaries. (See Matthew 4:1-11.) Satan said that He had the power to turn a stone into bread. Jesus was hungry and easily could have justified using His power to feed Himself. However, Jesus understood He could do nothing outside the boundaries of God's will for His life. It was God's will for Jesus to be tempted and to withstand the temptation. God was showing His Son that "man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Mt. 4:4b).
You and I are tempted every day to go beyond our God-ordained boundaries. Whether it is solving financial problems that have arisen through debt, making wrong decisions due to pressure, or manipulating someone in order to achieve our ends, it all represents rebellion toward God.
Ask God to show you His freedom and boundaries for your life. These are meant to enhance your life, not hinder it.
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