Who’s Your Boss?
Every morning I get up and spend time with the Lord before anything else (well, coffee first). After my time with the Lord, I get on with my day. I’m a planner and list-maker, so I start by making a list of everything I need to get done (pen and paper calendar because I like to actually strike through my list as I accomplish things).
Last week during my small group, we broke into pairs to discuss what we think it means to be intimate with God. My revelation during that time was that true intimacy isn’t limited to my time with Jesus in the mornings but will continue throughout the day. As I began to reflect on that, I came to the realization that once my quiet time is over, I push forward with my own plans and hope He blesses them.
Well, maybe not consciously, but…
This week as I was praying, I heard the Lord say, “Who’s the boss?”
Who’s the Boss?
The Lord continued to speak to my heart:
“You are not self-employed or self-published or even an indie publisher. I have called you to something higher. You are God-employed and God-published, and certainly not independently. Therefore, your job description comes from Me, your schedule comes from Me, your daily duties come from Me. You are 100% accountable to Me, for you are representing Me.”
Does He ever get on you like that? I mean, wow.
But the more I thought about it, the more relieved I felt. The pressure suddenly was off me to perform, to succeed, to always make the right plans, to pursue the best direction in ministry, and to make a living.
If God is the Boss, I don’t have to work for the approval of people or fear others’ perceptions of me. His opinion is the only one that matters.
“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10, NIV
Of course, I want to have a good reputation and have favor with others, but if I am working for the Lord and someone doesn’t approve of something I write or speak, I can be okay with that. If the Boss approves, then all is well.
If God is my Boss, I don’t have to worry about going down the wrong path, making mistakes, or missing out on something good. I go to Him for direction in all that I do and say. I follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as I plan my schedule and make decisions for the ministry.
“I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.”
Proverbs 4:11
This new way of thinking means that I have to seek Him for EVERY decision. Do I purchase this program, course, or software? Do I speak at this particular event? Do I write this particular post, book, or article? These decisions are no longer up to me. Because I’m not the boss.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
The context of this verse is relating to sexual sin, but think of the implications. If we are not our own because as Christ-followers we have been bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus, then we should be seeking Him for every decision. For a person who is used to being independent and going and doing, it’s hard to remember to slow down and ask God about every little thing.
But I’ve already learned the hard way. Like when I make a decision about something that seems very rational and right, but I move too quickly and make a mistake that costs me because I didn’t seek the Lord first. Or when I plan to do something fun on a Saturday but didn’t ask the Lord first and miss out on a ministry opportunity.
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:25
Best of all, if God is my Boss, then I truly can trust Him to meet all my needs. I don’t have to worry and struggle over making enough money because He’s my Employer. He signs the check.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
And you know what? He’s your Boss, too.
It doesn’t matter what our career path looks like; if we belong to Christ, He is the Boss. We live in a culture in which we are constantly told to be the boss, be independent, make our own way, and do our own thing. But God wants to free us from that deception.
Maybe unconsciously you, too, have bought into the lie that you need to strive for the commendation and approval of others, always make the perfectly right decisions, or earn a bigger salary. Maybe you are struggling with fear of failure and messing it all up and not being able to contribute.
Maybe, like me, you need to resign as the boss of yourself and let Jesus take over. You may be really good at what you do, but He is able to make you better, more productive, more successful, and more blessed.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24
You know, now that I realize I work for the King, I have a lot less to prove and more reason to work. I’ll take less breaks for Facebook and more breaks for prayer. I’ll seek Him for every decision and follow peace instead of wasting time worrying about what others think.
I’ll trust Him to provide and keep my eyes on the prize and not the numbers. I’ll work even harder. I’ll get up, dress up, and show up for work because I want to please Him. After all, I have the best Boss in the world.