Jul
20
On the Totem Pole
Filed Under Devotional
I’ve been on both sides of the responsibility equation. I’ve been at the bottom of the totem pole and had no responsibility other than my own actions. I simply followed directions, performed the job given to me, and called it a day. I’ve also been somewhere nearer the top where I was asked to make decisions about which direction to go, who would do the work, and even who should stay and who should go. The responsibility there affects the lives of others and could even affect the health of the company.
In my particular expertise, I’m comfortable making those decisions. I feel like I can wrap my head around the details and complexities and make an informed decision about what to do when and how to do it.
Of course, the fault with that kind of confidence is that I start to feel like I could have similar capability in other arenas. I start to kid myself that I could build a house because I either have the skills, could learn the skills, or could evaluate the skills of others to do the individual jobs. Fortunately, I come to my senses before taking out the loan.
The older I get, the more I recognize that most tasks of significant value are complex and take great expertise that I don’t have. I also recognize that leading a life worthy of Christ is possibly the most difficult task of all. This is primarily because we are bent and cannot see the world like He does. We follow our nature, which will lead us astray. We use our logic with our assumptions, which don’t apply.
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” 1 Peter 1:14-16
But, we cannot do this in our own strength:
“May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” 1 Thessalonians 3:13
In the matter of leading a holy life, I choose to be at the bottom of the totem pole again.