How would you feel about yourself if your job was removed from you tomorrow?
(Let's imagine that your income wouldn't change, just what you "did everyday")
One of the schemes that Satan uses in the life of the Christian is to get him/her to view their value solely based on the "type of work they do" and how well they do it. This is of course very closely associated (especially in South Africa) with your 'Personal Balance Sheet'
We call this performance-based acceptance.
It says "As long as I have..... a good job and I do it well, I have self-esteem."
This is a "slippery slope" and can be used by Satan to keep our focus on OUR performance versus Christ.
We are never to find our value in what we do.
Instead, our value is solely based on who we are in Christ.
The apostle Paul wrestled with this after he came to faith in Christ.....
( He had grown later to the top of his field as a Jewish leader.)
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith" (Phil 3:4-9).
You'll never really know to the degree that your self-esteem is rooted in (your work)[or ANY other Idol], UNTIL your work/idol is removed.
.......Unemployment, illness, or a financial crisis can lead to job loss!
Why not evaluate where 'you are' in this area of your life.
Affirm with God your desire to be known
.......by Whom you know
versus
.......what you do OR have!
1 comment:
Nothing makes things as clear as loss does. Only when you lose the things you depended on for your self-respect, do you dig deep inside yourself to re-evaluate what is really important and necessary for our survival.
One survivor of the Holocaust remembers her mother telling her earnestly, before going off to the gas chambers, remember that nobody can take away what is between your ears. As long as you have your intelligence, you can always rebuild your life from scratch. It is quite shocking to see how little we really need... In my experience, the Love of God kept me standing and keeps supporting me as I grapple my way back up. What felt like a disaster at the time has turned out to be a very valuable lesson.
Post a Comment