The Ruler
The word rule has lots of meanings. It could mean that you are governing or dominating a body of people, court proceeding or some other event. It can also be a way to measure how we hold up against others in our field of expertise. Mostly though, it is a way to describe how our lives are controlled by things of society around us.
Some of us are ruled by money, some by family and some by substances like drugs or alcohol. Whatever the case may be, we should be mindful that while other things are ruling us we are slowly spinning out of control. Where my family attends church we have been asked that question a lot lately. Who or what rules your life? It is a question that I am beginning to take more seriously than before. While all of us are somewhat controlled by the jobs or careers we have chosen, we can choose to be very careful of the things that can quickly overtake every aspect of our lives.
Recently I lost my job, again, and while it was painful I knew the assignment was not to last very long. Not being dissuaded, I jumped full on into the task at hand and chose to take my work very seriously. The assignment was not high profile but it was with a large software manufacturer and I wanted to make a good impression and was eager to show up early every day for work. I learned quickly that I had sacrificed the relationship with my wife so that I could make a good impression on my employer hoping that I would get hired permanently with their company. While I would go back to the company given another contract opportunity, I dare say that my mind would be more on the balance of my home life instead of making a good impression. See, I know that my work ethic is right where it needs to be and showing up early to work is just something I do. This does not mean that I put my family on the back burner for a job that has little potential for the future. Big decisions should be made with the family in mind always with the end goal firmly in its place.
My end goal is for my family and I to trust that God has something grand planned for us. God makes a promise that he wants us to prosper. While prosper also has many meanings, I believe that it is not all about the money we can make. Maybe he wants us to prosper in how we give of our time and money and talent to the building up of others. This is no easy task but we have to start somewhere. Start with a kind word or do something for someone else without their knowing. It is only then when someone sees who truly rules our lives that we are doing what God meant for us in the short time we are here.
Some of us are ruled by money, some by family and some by substances like drugs or alcohol. Whatever the case may be, we should be mindful that while other things are ruling us we are slowly spinning out of control. Where my family attends church we have been asked that question a lot lately. Who or what rules your life? It is a question that I am beginning to take more seriously than before. While all of us are somewhat controlled by the jobs or careers we have chosen, we can choose to be very careful of the things that can quickly overtake every aspect of our lives.
Recently I lost my job, again, and while it was painful I knew the assignment was not to last very long. Not being dissuaded, I jumped full on into the task at hand and chose to take my work very seriously. The assignment was not high profile but it was with a large software manufacturer and I wanted to make a good impression and was eager to show up early every day for work. I learned quickly that I had sacrificed the relationship with my wife so that I could make a good impression on my employer hoping that I would get hired permanently with their company. While I would go back to the company given another contract opportunity, I dare say that my mind would be more on the balance of my home life instead of making a good impression. See, I know that my work ethic is right where it needs to be and showing up early to work is just something I do. This does not mean that I put my family on the back burner for a job that has little potential for the future. Big decisions should be made with the family in mind always with the end goal firmly in its place.
My end goal is for my family and I to trust that God has something grand planned for us. God makes a promise that he wants us to prosper. While prosper also has many meanings, I believe that it is not all about the money we can make. Maybe he wants us to prosper in how we give of our time and money and talent to the building up of others. This is no easy task but we have to start somewhere. Start with a kind word or do something for someone else without their knowing. It is only then when someone sees who truly rules our lives that we are doing what God meant for us in the short time we are here.
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