If you’ve never taken the time to read Lyn’s blogs, you’re missing some fine writing. This is a prime example. Don’t miss it. Is God Your Steering Wheel, Or Your Spare Tire? <<< Lyn Leahz
Something to thnink about.
WHAT KIND OF EXAMPLE ARE YOU? (3)
Seneca, the Roman statesman said, “I govern my life and thoughts as though the world were to see one and read the other.” You can always predict what a person of integrity will do in two areas: (1) In business. Saying no to your boss usually isn’t a good career move. But when faced with a choice between his and his convictions, Daniel refused to eat the King’s meat because it was a violation of God’s law (See Da 1:8-17). Joseph refused to sleep with the boss’s wife (See Gen 39:6-12). Elisha refused to accept a rich man’s money in exchange for healing (See 2KI 5:1-16). Getting the idea? (2) At home. Noah saved his family from destruction by listening to God (See Heb 11:7). And the first thing he did when he emerged from the ark was to build an altar. Think about that! Noah had an altar before he had a home. Most of us have homes, but no prayer altar. And it shows. Lot, on the other hand, lost his wife and sons-in-law to the destructive influences of Sodom (See Ge 19:14-26). Today issues of character that once raised alarm don’t even raise an eyebrow. But they should. “I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Ro 12:1-2 NLT).
Sometimes we lose perspective, but before we deal with people we should try to regain it. This is a good way to do it. 🙂
Many years ago a senior executive of the then Standard Oil Company made a wrong decision that cost the company more than $2 million. John D. Rockefeller was then running the firm. On the day the news leaked out most of the executives of the company were finding various ingenious ways of avoiding Mr. Rockefeller, lest his wrath descend on their heads.
There was one exception, however; he was Edward T. Bedford, a partner in the company. Bedford was scheduled to see Rockefeller that day and he kept the appointment, even though he was prepared to listen to a long harangue against the man who made the error in judgment.
When he entered the office the powerful head of the gigantic Standard Oil empire was bent over his desk busily writing with a pencil on a pad of paper. Bedford stood silently, not wishing to interrupt. After a few minutes Rockefeller looked up.
“Oh, it’s you, Bedford,” he said calmly. “I suppose you’ve heard about our loss?”
Bedford said that he had.
“I’ve been thinking it over,” Rockefeller said, “and before I ask the man in to discuss the matter, I’ve been making some notes.”
Bedford later told the story this way:
“Across the top of the page was written, ‘Points in favor of Mr. _______.’ There followed a long list of the man’s virtues, including a brief description of how he had helped the company make the right decision on three separate occasions that had earned many times the cost of his recent error.
“I never forgot that lesson. In later years, whenever I was tempted to rip into anyone, I forced myself first to sit down and thoughtfully compile as long a list of good points as I possibly could. Invariably, by the time I finished my inventory, I would see the matter in its true perspective and keep my temper under control. There is no telling how many times this habit has prevented me from committing one of the costliest mistakes any executive can make — losing his temper.
“I commend it to anyone who must deal with people.”
Bits & Pieces
, September 15, 1994, pp. 11-13.
wayneaugden 