Staying on the Job
From the last post you can see that Daniel was definitely qualified for the job. But how would he perform under the pressures of working for such a violent boss? Did he have what it took to stay the course? And do we have what it takes to stay the course?
A few months ago Ben Lenz was doing a series on commitment. To illustrate the point about little we value commitment these days, Ben asked every at Crossing to stand and remain standing as he called out the number of jobs they've had. We were to stay standing till he called out a number that exceed the number of jobs we've had. Well the last person (who was in his twenties) sat down at 24. He'd had 24 jobs in his short life time. Amazing.
What testimony do we give our friends, boss, and fellow employees when we change jobs as often as we do socks? What does our level of on the job commitment say about the God who is supposed to drive our actions? Does our God bail when the tasks are boring, unrewarding, mundane? Did Christ ever do anything that was beneath Him? Did he follow every offer of better pay, benefits, hours, or job title? Did you know that Christ had only one job - he was a carpenter. He was a faithful employee. Man, I bet His work was exquisite. Imagine being the craftsman down the street who had to compete with that. Yikes.
God wants us to be good employees. One of the hardest tasks facing employers today is longevity of employees. Guys keep jumping ship at every change in market conditions and employers are doing everything they can to keep their best ones. My close friend Miguel was a phenomenal friend and right hand man on the job. He was the First Sergeant in Fox Troop, 1/16 Cavalry Troop. I was the commander. Though I out ranked him by position and title, he was senior to me in both knowledge and experience. Yet he was incredibly faithful to me. If I said it, he echoed it. If I said do it, he got it done - on time, on budget, high quality. Not once, not most of the time, but every time. He never back stabbed - though he could have. He never complained - though he'd been justified. He was faithful. Here's the kicker - he did all this knowing that he wasn't competing for promotion because he was retiring from the Army. He gave more in his last few months before retirement than some gave in their best months. Do you think it surprised me to know he was a believer? Not at all. For his faithfulness at work, we became friends after the Army, and years later stay in touch, praying for the other's family. Now he works for a defense contractor. And you guessed it...they love him. Why? Because he was a Daniel type of employee.
Daniel was consistent too. It took three years of training to get the chance just to interview for the position of service to the king. Daniel could have taken the attitude that he wouldn't give his best to an unsaved, ungodly boss. He didn't. Daniel's consistency in training and more importantly attitude got him the king's blessing. King Nebby found Daniel and the boys to be ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who worked for him. And Daniel chapter 1 ends with "Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus."
Daniel's consistency carried him through three years of training. It carried him through the turbulent reign of Nebuchadnezzar. He was consistent through the reign of Nebby's son Belshazzar, King Darius, and into the reign of King Cyrus. And what was the payoff? For Daniel, he lived an amazing life. But it goes far far beyond that. Daniel got to see his terrible boss declare the majesty of the one true God. He saw God's power demonstrated again when God snuffed out King Belshazzar's arrogant rule. Daniel experienced divine rescue from the lion's den at Darius' hand and saw Darius declare that Daniel's God ruled and that all men should tremble and fear before Daniel's God.
Am I having that kind of impact on my employer? Are you? That's what God wants. His desire is that none would perish but that all would come to repentance. Daniel was a Psalm 1 guy, knowing what true success meant. Daniel 6 ends by declaring Daniel a Psalm 1 guy - "So this Daniel prospered..." Time for us to do the same.
posted by Joe @ 2:31 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
Joe, Katy,
I was thinking about you guys at work today. Wondering how you guys spent thanksgivings and how is Joe doing with his acquisition course. Wondering how Stephen and Grace are doing away from Dad and being spoiled by the grandparents and Katy waiting for another family reunion with Ft Bragg in her mind.
For some reason I decided to go through Joe’s blog and read through it. I was pleasantly surprised and very touched with his words… Not only are you guys a great inspiration and excellent example to others and in particular the youth, but a blessing to know you guys.
I was doing ok until I came across this writing from Joe: “Staying on the Job”
“God wants us to be good employees. One of the hardest tasks facing employers today is longevity of employees. Guys keep jumping ship at every change in market conditions and employers are doing everything they can to keep their best ones. My close friend Miguel was a phenomenal friend and right hand man on the job. He was the First Sergeant in Fox Troop, 1/16 Cavalry Troop. I was the commander. Though I out ranked him by position and title, he was senior to me in both knowledge and experience. Yet he was incredibly faithful to me. If I said it, he echoed it. If I said do it, he got it done - on time, on budget, high quality. Not once, not most of the time, but every time. He never back stabbed - though he could have. He never complained - though he'd been justified. He was faithful. Here's the kicker - he did all this knowing that he wasn't competing for promotion because he was retiring from the Army. He gave more in his last few months before retirement than some gave in their best months. Do you think it surprised me to know he was a believer? Not at all. For his faithfulness at work, we became friends after the Army, and years later stay in touch, praying for the other's family. Now he works for a defense contractor. And you guessed it...they love him. Why? Because he was a Daniel type of employee.”
I was very touched with such kind words. I look back to my time as 1SG with Joe and recall how blessed we were to be in such position. I recall the Squadron Commander telling me once, I think we stacked the deck here in Fox Troop, strangely enough the Regimental Commander said the same at one of our rotation through CP 5 North. They were pleased to see the work taking place and how productive everything seems. Looking at how situations seemed to line up and issues among from our Soldiers were dealt swiftly either to help them or to correct them when needed.
I have run into many Soldiers from Fox Troop 1/16th Cav – they tell me how much they missed us once we moved on to other organizations or retired. It is a god feeling to know that God was with us as we exercised the care over those that he has allowed to serve with.
I keep in touch with SFC Flanagan, just recently I spoke with him and he asked me about you guys, he told me – Joe Pullen changed my life, I have so much respect for that men. Not only did he stated what he believed, he lived the same way. He told me, every since Joe Pullen told the Troop that there will be no cursing, I (Flanagan) was surprised but seeing his words in action was a life changing experience for me.
We were not popular with all of our Soldiers because how we dealt with issues, but we were extremely fair and genuinely cared for them. I will always cherish those times. You guys have been a blessing to us and I hope we cross path again in the future.
Amazing that I read this “Staying on the Job” blog today. This afternoon, just 13 days from the termination of my contract, the Colonel that I support sent me an email to let me know that he has managed to work a deal and secure funding for my contract for the next year. I guess he wants me to stay on the job.
I’m humble to read such words about me, I saw it as doing mu job, if Joe was successful, my mission was accomplished. It God working on me. But I had no future in the Army, my mind was made up to retire in this area; I could not allow my status to take down a fine officer and a great organization. I could not quit until the job was done. And to think that told CSM Ashley and CSM Doan that I did not want the job, I did not want to keep the position away from someone that was looking to get promoted. I knew I could do the job, He was and is on my side; but I did not expected to have so much fun doing the job and fostering such ha great friendship. Many times I have shared stories from Fox troop and the respect and admiration that I have for Joe – reading this takes, as Emeril would say – takes it up another notch!
Recently I drop pass 16th Cav HQ – the parking lot is gone, a new building is being put in place, out gravel parking near the arms room and our tank line is now the foundation of a new IBCT barracks, great times and lots of sweat was put in there by many. We were blessed to have guys like Flanagan, Cuevas, Cardenas, Ricky, the XO, and most importantly supporting spouses that knew we were trying to do the right thing for our Soldiers and their families.
Joe & Katy – thank you for such kind words. God bless you my friend!
Miguel & Gisela
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