He was sitting right across the desk from me…
But I practically had to shout…
The pain of construction was noise and dust…
The payoff would be brand new offices.
The only thing I liked about my current office was the desk, although It wasn’t really a desk at all.
The building carpenter had stained a piece of wood and set it across the top of two file cabinets.
“I’m moving a desk into your office,” the boss told me…
“That way you’ll have a desk like all the other managers.”
I was very young…
In my first leadership position at work.
Like all the other managers?
They were sitting at old, rusted metal desks.
When I got the promotion, the other managers took me aside…
One by one they had all said the same thing…
“Don’t trust the boss.”
So now I said…
“I have all my material organized in the file cabinets right now. Could I just keep what I’m using?”
He paused…
“I’m always looking for ways to save money, but are you sure?”
Not trusting him…
Assuming the worst outcome…
I decided to stay with what I knew.
“No problem, Boss. Happy to help save money.”
Finally the construction ended.
The furniture company put new chairs in my office, but I made sure they left my desk.
Feeling proud I had outsmarted my mean-spirited boss, I walked down the hall to a fellow manager’s office, ready to see his old beat up desk in the new space.
But the old desk was gone. In its place was a beautiful real wood desk.
I walked to the next manager’s office. There was another new desk. In fact, every manager had a brand new top-of-the line desk. Every manager, that is, except me.
All because I had not trusted my boss, assumed the worst and felt safer sticking with the familiar.
I wonder how often I approach God the same way?
How often do I fail to trust Him, assume the worst outcome and stay where I am?
How often do I say, “No thanks, God?” That’s a pretty big risk you’re asking me to take.”
Maybe I’d be better off trusting God …
Focusing on His promises instead of my doubts…
Or the doubts of others…
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. Jeremiah 29:11
