When you first start out in your business career, isn’t it natural to seek advancement opportunities in your field of endeavor? Don’t you want to better yourself financially and be recognized for your abilities? If you work for a large organization, the opportunities are probably greater than a smaller organization. In a small organization, typically the position you start is the one you will retire from unless someone leaves and you are fully qualified to take over their responsibilities.
Many of us choose to work for a smaller organization where your input is quickly recognized. Likewise, so are your mistakes. Our friends in larger companies would be on a fast track program where they would be promoted into a new position almost every two years. As one friend said, you never see the real outcome of your work because you have already moved into a new job with new opportunities. However, in a smaller company, you are in your position for a longer time period and witness the fruit of your labors. You see your successes and also your mistakes of the past. You have a greater opportunity to learn from your results as you actually see the outcome of your direct decisions. If you’re good, you will accordingly be rewarded. If you are not good, than you will not last as your mistakes will uncover your real abilities.
As you work at the same position for a number of years, you become naturally very competent at it. As a professional, you make it look so easy. Of course, the work may become routine and boring. However, it is also the greatest opportunity to put your work on overdrive and take the time to make a real difference in the lives of others around you. Because you don’t have to concentrate as hard in performing your job, you are able to spend more time in building up the people around you. You have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of those people who live in your world. You begin to realize that you have a greater influence making changes that impact the lives of others right in the position that you are at. You realize you don’t have to be in a higher position to have an impact in the life of others. You can make it right where you are at without the additional burdens that a higher position would give you.
You find that you are becoming larger than your job. Your character outshines your position. Your actions speak louder than your responsibilities. You are not overburden by your responsibilities, but you are in control of your work. This of course, allows you to spend more valuable time with your family and love ones. You find yourself the master of your job and not its slave. You are in control. You are not over-burden with pressure. You handle the pressures and deadlines with grace. You are able to challenge your energy in areas of greater importance. It is not that you wouldn’t take a promotion, it’s that you have no real desire. Your desire is to make a difference right now in your current position. You have more time to disciple because it takes less time to fulfill all your daily responsibilities.
No, we don’t need a job promotion to make a difference in this world. We need a spiritual promotion; a promotion of the heart, mind, and soul. That is the promotion we need every single day of our life. With these promotions, we don’t need any other type of additional responsibilities. With these promotions, we “can do all things through Jesus who strengthens us”, as Paul writes.
With additional gifts of the Spirit, we are equipped to better serve our brethren, to build up the church, and give the glory and honor to our Lord. These are the best promotions that come to His disciples.
OUR PRAYER
Our Dear Dad, promote us! Raise us to your standards of living! Change our heart, mind, and soul to be like yours! Help us to focus outside our desires and see how we can help others to achieve real success in their lives. You are our boss. Provide us with the opportunities to serve others as you serve us. Bless others who come to know you through us. Let your kingdom reign wherever we go. Let your Spirit rule the land. We thank you Jesus!
Consultant & Coach for Christ-Centered
Business Owners & Executives
Dr. Mike
Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God