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Spent this week trying to reconcile some thoughts at the back of my head while working hard at work.
Those who work long enough in the corporate world will probably identify with me, that sometimes, too much time and resources at work is spent on efforts and projects not for the real good of the company, but rather to help specific departments and their senior executives look good in front of their bosses, to put them one up over rival departments. Political stuff...but a regular feature of the corporate world.
Those who read the comic strip Dilbert will know what I mean.
The higher in hierarchy one goes up in the organisation, the closer one gets to the "political action".
Not something that I enjoy. But more and more, the expectations on my work now exceed beyond how well I can do my job. I tend to be measured by how "good" I can make my organisation look in front of the corporate HQ.
To the bosses, sometimes to look good also means wishing failures and catastrophes on rival organisation's key projects.
These are definitely not things I want to be engaged in. And yet, making my bosses look good IS part of my job isn't it? Afterall, As good workers, we should be serve our bosses well and be committed to their success.
Consider Ephesians 6:5:
EPH 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
So how do I reconcile all these office politics with doing what is right in the eys of God? It is so easy to swing to either extreme: One will be to be totally disillusioned with these practices and leave the corporate world, to work in an environment where such politics do not exist. Yet I do not think it is possible. These "politics" originate from the fallen state of man, and thus, I believe, they will occur in ALL working environment, even in non-proft and possibly religious circles.
The other extreme will probably be to go with the flow and "do in Rome as what the Romans do". Yet compromising our values is surely not of God.
So is there a narrow middle path that keeps one in the corporate world and yet honors God?
ie to "be in the world but not of it?"
I believe there is. The Word of God pointed me to Psalms for guidance:
PR 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
PR 3:4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
PR 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
PR 3:6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
PR 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
PR 2:7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
PR 2:8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
PR 2:9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair--every good path.
So the narrow path I shall attempt to tread, with the guidance of God in all situations.
To start off. I shall work hard to my bosses look very good, by the quality of the work of my hands; not through scheming or putting others down. I shall attempt to be the best surbodinate they will ever have, be a blessing to them, to contribute to their success and promotions and yet have them see that I can do so with wisdom and principles; and without engaging in the shady side of politics. I pray that they will indeed "see my good deeds and glorify my Father in heaven".
Part and parcel with rising up as a Warrior of Light, isn't it?
_
Spent this week trying to reconcile some thoughts at the back of my head while working hard at work.
Those who work long enough in the corporate world will probably identify with me, that sometimes, too much time and resources at work is spent on efforts and projects not for the real good of the company, but rather to help specific departments and their senior executives look good in front of their bosses, to put them one up over rival departments. Political stuff...but a regular feature of the corporate world.
Those who read the comic strip Dilbert will know what I mean.
The higher in hierarchy one goes up in the organisation, the closer one gets to the "political action".
Not something that I enjoy. But more and more, the expectations on my work now exceed beyond how well I can do my job. I tend to be measured by how "good" I can make my organisation look in front of the corporate HQ.
To the bosses, sometimes to look good also means wishing failures and catastrophes on rival organisation's key projects.
These are definitely not things I want to be engaged in. And yet, making my bosses look good IS part of my job isn't it? Afterall, As good workers, we should be serve our bosses well and be committed to their success.
Consider Ephesians 6:5:
EPH 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
So how do I reconcile all these office politics with doing what is right in the eys of God? It is so easy to swing to either extreme: One will be to be totally disillusioned with these practices and leave the corporate world, to work in an environment where such politics do not exist. Yet I do not think it is possible. These "politics" originate from the fallen state of man, and thus, I believe, they will occur in ALL working environment, even in non-proft and possibly religious circles.
The other extreme will probably be to go with the flow and "do in Rome as what the Romans do". Yet compromising our values is surely not of God.
So is there a narrow middle path that keeps one in the corporate world and yet honors God?
ie to "be in the world but not of it?"
I believe there is. The Word of God pointed me to Psalms for guidance:
PR 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
PR 3:4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
PR 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
PR 3:6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
PR 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
PR 2:7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
PR 2:8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
PR 2:9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair--every good path.
So the narrow path I shall attempt to tread, with the guidance of God in all situations.
To start off. I shall work hard to my bosses look very good, by the quality of the work of my hands; not through scheming or putting others down. I shall attempt to be the best surbodinate they will ever have, be a blessing to them, to contribute to their success and promotions and yet have them see that I can do so with wisdom and principles; and without engaging in the shady side of politics. I pray that they will indeed "see my good deeds and glorify my Father in heaven".
Part and parcel with rising up as a Warrior of Light, isn't it?
_
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