Unemployment is a major topic in the news today instilling fear. Someone else holds the keys to our employment, and our fears directly correlate to situations beyond our control.
Several of my prior posts talked about the excitement and pleasure that came from interviewing people. Getting to know humans in various candid ways, building new relationships, applying filters, and praying over making the right choices. It is extremely rewarding to bring new team members into the family and work alongside them as they grow and thrive.
With the downturn in the economy, many leaders are faced with difficult decisions related to the teams that they hand-picked. The budget and math dictate: Some can stay, some must leave.
How does one choose the fate of another? Keep the new guy because he shows promise? Retain the wisdom of the more experienced team members? The one with the good attitude but lacks experience? The one who costs more than the rest (but is the best worker)? The one who is the sole income provider for his/her family?
The point is, these decisions can be clouded with subjectivity. One person is often the key-holder to the fate of another’s job.
What about our spiritual fate? Is there a quota for Heaven and Hades? A budget? How do we know if we are “good enough”?
Unlike our Earthly subjectivity, the Heavenly, God-authored and perfect plan is not subjective or measured by how someone feels about us. Even better, it is not measured by how bad (or good) of a person we are. Our worst sins, our worst days, our deepest darkest secrets do not matter – that is, if we have put our faith in Jesus Christ.
Someday we will all fall at his feet as he alone has the keys. We need not fear because even though he died a physical death, he arose alive and remains alive forever.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. (Revelation 1:17-18)
Losing a job or our fortunes is one thing, losing your life eternally is another. Faith in the economy, careers, our abilities, our plans ultimately results in futility. If you know Jesus today, know him better. If you don’t know him or are indifferent, please do not let another day go by before you kneel before him eternally. He loves you and he is seeking you right now. You are not reading this post accidentally. I pray that God opens your heart right now in this moment to see the truth, the only truth that matters. Which door have you been knocking on and which door will your key open?
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11 NLT)