Please forgive the picture as a joke. I need to laugh, because this past week my husband and I learned something about ourselves the hard way. Our management of a situation fell terribly short of our goal.
On occasion, we All have fallen short in our capacity to manage a task given to us. Our gap might be in a work situation, home problem, relationship, or personal goal. If we were honest, we would admit that our weakness to manage a situation is sometimes caused by our own tiredness, distraction, lack of will power, or lazy hope that someone else is taking care of the problem without our oversight. These are the facts, (but should not be the excuse), of human management efforts. In contrast, Psalm 111 gives us a description of God-style management.
First, let’s get more practice admitting to our failings. (This is a hard area for managers to master. We have to “practice” accepting the label of failure.)
How do we react when we fail?
I’ll label the typical ineffective responses as the Dreamer, Beamer (as in, “beam me up, Scottie”) and Schemer.
1. A “dreamer” denies that failure ever occurred
2. A “beamer” tells accusers that we were never responsible for the task in the first place. (They were “beamed” away.)
3. A “schemer” throws up their hands, points fingers and says, “THEY were the reason I failed.”
Obviously, these management responses are comical to write on paper but extremely difficult to endure in person if you are related to the situation.
In my opinion, the only right way to approach my personal management failings is to take the opposite stand to these three typical reactions. I’ll call these the 3 A’s.
1. Admit that there is a problem.
2. Accept that I am responsible to initiate ways to fix the problem.
3. Assume the path to correct the failing with renewed diligence.
Psalm 111 is our example of the perfect management of God. David, God’s worker, is praising Him. (Praise exists where good work is done.) The whole Psalm talks about the works of God. Verses 2-4, and 7 offer our examples.
“The works of the Lord (manager) are great, sought out by all those who delight in them. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious, merciful, and full of loving compassion….The works of His hands are truth and justice; and all His decrees and precepts are sure (fixed, established, and trustworthy).”
Although we are not God, as managers we can improve our abilities if we follow and seek the one who is ultimately the world’s top manager.
Verse 10 of Psalm 111 describes how we get this capacity to manage in a better way.
“The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and Skill; a good understanding, wisdom and meaning have all those who do the will of the Lord. Their praise of Him endures forever.”
Maybe it’s time you and I held a team meeting with the only One Who Has Mastered management!
My Prayer
You, God, ARE THE MANAGER of the universe. You are mighty and sure in all things. Thank you for this. Teach me to become better in handling the tasks assigned to me. Confront me with my own areas of weakness and laziness. Let me find the courage and resourcefulness to accept and manage my responsibilities. I praise you for work and the Godly meaning and growth my spirit obtains by engaging in it. You designed me for tasks. I know if I was suddenly unable to do any work I would be distraught. Help me to see and be happy in my work TODAY. Amen.