Promotions

How many of you want to be promoted to a higher position at your work, church or whatever position you hold?  There is nothing wrong with wanting to get ahead in life but getting there too quickly can be a problem. Being promoted can be a good thing or it may also be a bad thing. Some people get promoted far too quickly and fall into pride and arrogance so all they end up doing is making the people that work with, or for, them or who are under their care, miserable.

There is enjoyment in working for a supervisor that is patient, kind and understanding, who is willing to listen and is teachable, one who doesn’t act like he knows it all and is not willing to budge on any issues that come before them.  People who are out of balance, that are so one sided on issues do not make good candidates for promotions.  Being in a position of authority is a great responsibility regardless of where it is and it is like a balancing act at times.

I know a little bit about this because I was a supervisor at one time for about five years.  I was never the main supervisor but I was in a position of authority and fell into pride and was humbled by the Lord; He has ways of doing that and they are not fun times to go through.  This can happen to anyone in authority whether it is a boss, supervisor, pastor, even a president or to anyone who is in charge over people.  My pride wasn’t thinking that I was better than those who worked for me, no, my problem was the ‘pats on the back,’ so to speak, you know, the compliments I received for doing a good job and making the job run smoothly.  My downfall was not keeping a close eye on the details and also depending on others to take care of what I should have been taking care of, and then taking most of the credit.

Pride comes in many forms and most of us have been affected by it in our own lives or through someone else.  It has been the downfall of many people and that is the reason God hates it and corrects His people if they walk in it, and do not walk humbly before Him.  

I am reminded of King Nebuchadnezzar, who was the greatest of the kings of Babylon spoken of in Daniel as well as other places in the Word, who had this pride problem, after being promoted to kingship in Babylon.  The king thought of himself as a god and was persuaded to have a statue of him built and worshiped.  This king had uncontrolled pride that was self-destructive, taking all the credit for what he had accomplished, instead of giving the credit to the one that should have received it, God.  

Remember Lucifer, he had a pride problem too, thinking he was going to promote himself to a higher position than God Himself.  Most of us know the consequences of his actions; he was thrown out of Heaven which was a terrible thing, but when it is all said and done, he and the angels that wanted a better position and promotion will spend eternity in Hell.  Like I said, it isn’t always a good thing to be promoted.

Back to King Nebuchadnezzar, his consequence was losing his kingship for a period of time because of what is called, Boanthropy, how he imagined himself to be an animal and acted accordingly; a condition that has been observed in modern times.  Praise the Lord I am always learning, I always thought that the king literally became like an animal and lived in the forest for seven years, then repented and got his kingdom back.  Always studying and learning, praise the Lord.  If you would like to read the story it is found in Daniel 4, read the whole chapter and ask the Lord to give you special insight as to what took place in this chapter in King Nebuchadnezzar’s life, so that you may avoid falling into this or any kind of pride.

If you have been walking with a prideful attitude talk to the Lord about it and repent, ask Him to help you walk humbly and to keep you from the sin of pride.  It is far better to be humble than have the Lord correct you for having pride in your life.  Something to think about today and every day, God bless you and have a great day!!