Promotion...Denied
Upset…rejected…hurt…these were only a couple of the emotions
that I felt
I had just found out that I had been denied the promotion
that I had applied for and it stung. Yes, I knew in my head that God was in
control. After all I had been praying that His will would be done, but that
didn’t stop the feelings from flooding my mind.
Maybe you have been in a similar position and can relate. My
thoughts were not always “right, pure, lovely or admirable.” In fact I was
downright ashamed of some of the things that came to my mind.
In regards to the person making the decision—I hope he sees
how wrong he was in not hiring me.
In regards to the person who was hired—I hope she doesn’t
succeed.
In regards to the department—I hope they don’t make their
goals.
Now some people might think these thoughts were justified
because I was just as qualified, I was already in the department, and I already
knew the people, places and area and would not require a move or any type of
training. But if I am a follower of Christ these thoughts are not acceptable.
My thoughts should be loving, forgiving, encouraging,
uplifting, so action had to be taken. I needed time alone with my Jesus to wrap
my hands and mind around the situation, after all my prayer had been answered.
The door had been shut, so now what?
I stepped away from my desk, taking my iPod and my
devotional book with me. It was cold, gray and windy outside and I knew that the
cold winter would arrive soon, so I found a spot undercover to stop and commune
with God.
Mary and Martha—that seemed to be a good topic for me to
read. Which one was I being? The workaholic Martha who didn’t have time to
listen or the Mary who sat at the feet of Jesus soaking in every word that came
from His mouth.
The words that I read were, “Olga, Olga you are worried and
upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” Luke 10:41 (Actually I
put the Olga in there, but the rest of the sentence was pretty convicting, so
it seemed to fit.) I had been worried and upset over something that God had
ordained, but the only thing I should have been doing was praising God and
thanking Him for answering my prayer. He had answered it in His way and in His
time, so what was my problem? My old sin nature had gotten in the way. I guess
underneath it all I had wanted the job whether it was what God wanted or not.
So as I continued reading I determined that my thoughts had
to turn to prayers, prayers of success for the new hire, prayers of peace for
the person who had to make the difficult decision and prosperity for our
department and our company. With each thought turned into prayer, the sting
began dissipating. It’s amazing what sitting at the feet of Jesus will do for
you.
Now I can be excited about the plans God has for my future.
If the promotion was not to be, I know He has something even better in store
for me and my life and I can’t wait!
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have
for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not
to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
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