When God Promotes You

I always wish Christians will understand God's promotion and approach life with an attitude powered by that understanding. How awesome many lives will be, how glorious, how peaceful, lovely, and joyful. The Bible said of Israel "Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling". Though this speaks of righteousness, it does convey vividly many people's approach to promotion - an approach that has made many not enjoy the process of God's promotion or the experience of it.

While many people are more concerned about man's promotions, titles, and positions, the bible teaches us to live in such a way as to obtain God's promotions. Someone can be climbing the hierarchies of this world, but in reality, going downwards. And another person may not have all the seemingly fancy titles, but consistently moving upwards in God's promotion. At a point in my career, I was concerned about the category my employer placed me in, but during that period then the word of God came to me - enlightening me on the issue of promotion: 'For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge'. I have stood very tall since then being aware of God's promotion.

The Bible encourages us to work for the Lord at all times, prioritizing his validation of our work and his promotion: 'Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving' (Colossians 3:23-24). Many times we work for employers who we feel are not giving us enough compensation and recognition. This experience has even drained the joy of many Christians, but it should not. The Bible did tell us directly that we should stop working for men, and only work for God, even while we have a human employer. How much difference it will make when we approach our work as unto God, and not unto men.

What is even more interesting is that this encouragement to work as unto the Lord was directly given to slaves. 'Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.' (Colossians 3:22). As horrible as many slave masters were then, the Bible encouraged Christians to approach the job as working for the Lord. This is such a difficult thing to do unless one understands God's promotion. But the passage did speak of it 'you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward'. When we work as unto the Lord, he does not leave us without reward, and he does not leave us without promotion. Real promotion, not something that looks like it. It does not matter what the humans around us try to deny us, the master who we work for knows how to 'exalt us at the proper time'.

How will you ever envy anyone if you understand this? The rewarder is God. You can lobby your way before men, and apply unrighteous shortcuts, but one can never lobby or bribe God. While Cain was annoyed that his brother was promoted by God but not him, God said something to him that is very much relevant to us today: 'If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?'. He was frustrated like many people easily become, blaming everyone else except himself. But God pointed the issue back to him, if you had done well, you would have been promoted. Remember, while men look at the outward appearance, God understands true motive.

Brothers and Sisters nobody can prevent you from receiving God's promotion, no economy can, and nothing in the world can. Therefore be conscious of it, seek it, and do things with this understanding. When you're spiritually sensitive and conscious, you will know when you move up in God's promotion even if nothing around you seems to suggest it. This has happened to me several times. And when he promotes you, you're positioned not only to live a fulfilling life but to become a blessing to others. It is only those who are ignorant of God's promotion that goes about fighting for positions and titles. A man can occupy a lofty position and yet not enjoy the privilege of God's promotion. When you understand this, you will stop being frustrated because of where men placed you in their hierarchies. Assure your heart always 'You, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.' (Psalm 3:3).