Recently I took the leap to request anonymous professional feedback from co-workers including leaders to whom I report, my peers, and those who report to me. And by “leap”, this is my confession that I was nervous. The request went out to roughly forty people who have had serious insights into my behavior over the last five years at the company where we serve.
Would their responses be better or worse than my own “inner monologue”? Would they tell me things I don’t already know? Would there be harsh comments or would the comments be gentle and encouraging?
Regardless of their feedback, there are things in my heart that I know can be improved upon. I’ve made mistakes, and whether public or private, the fact is that no one is perfect.
When considering what work colleagues think of me I thought further about how God knows all my secrets. My failures, fears, bad thoughts, all of my sins.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:3-4, 18)
After spending time in today’s reading (Ephesians 5:1-20) I was convicted with the realization that during this time of professional feedback, I was more focused on what others thought of me than how God views my sins. He should be my audience of one.
Fortunately when we go back to the beginning of Ephesians Chapter 5 we are reminded that Christ gave himself up for us, for our sins piled high. If our behavior is pleasing to God then inherently it won’t matter what others think of us because comparatively, nothing else matters.