Your God Plays Favorites

I work in a very competitive sales environment. I followed my old boss to a new company. The catch: a new set of rules.  I now work at a company where four sales reps compete for the same clients, instead of having protected territories. It creates a "what's in it for me" workplace.

This spring, our company instituted a sales incentive, involving a trip to a resort. Merely achieving sales goals would not win you the trip.  But additional points in areas such as "teamwork, mentorship, and leadership" would serve as the tipping point for this getaway.

The boss and I had discussed the challenges our team faced when no one would work together and share what they'd learned about our competition or what worked when talking to prospective clients. It leads to bickering, arguing and distrust.

For one of our sales reps, this contest was hard to understand. She came to me. "I don't get it. Even if I make my all my sales goals, I won't make the trip.  How do I get those extra points?  You know the boss. What's this all about?"

"Here's how it works: when you do something that helps me, I let the boss know. When I do something that helps you, I do the same.  The boss is the ultimate judge, but we're all in the running for extra points right now. And the best part is, if we all make the goals, we all get the trip."

Consider:

• Understanding that Christianity is not a contest, and heaven is not a sales goal, what do you think Pastor Chris was telling us about what is most important about dealing with others of different faith backgrounds, or none at all?
• When has someone used their understanding of God to make you feel less worthy, or even angry? Why was that?
• Has someone shared their relationship with God to help you through a difficult time? When was it, and how did they help you?

Read

• 1 Peter 2:2-10 [1]
• John 14:1-14 [2]

Consider:

• What does Jesus mean by "In my father's house, there are many dwelling places?"
• Why were Thomas and Philip so obtuse?
• How does the tone of Jesus' reply to Philip sound to you? Angry? Patient? Something else?
• Re-read verses 12-14. What is Jesus really telling his disciples? What does the emphasis on asking "in my name" mean?

Words for the Week

Try this contemplative approach to reading scripture called lectio divina.

Take a deep breath and find a little silence within yourself.  Then:

Read the verse a few times with a listening heart filled with unhurried expectation.

Reflect on this question, "What are you saying to me in this verse today, God?"

Respond by talking to God about your real feelings, thoughts, questions, and doubts.

Rest by simply being with God who knows you and loves you.

Monday         Revelation 21:22-26 [3]

Tuesday           Isaiah 66:18-21 [4]

Wednesday      1 Peter 2:9-10 [5]

Thursday          Exodus 19:5-6 [6]

Friday              John 14:1-6 [7]