Achievers tend to bristle against authority because we like being in charge. But there was one boss who shaped me in ways that have impacted me to this day.
When my husband’s job moved us to Fort Smith, Arkansas, I left behind my dream job at the Houston Astros. I eventually landed the director of Student Activities position at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. Little did I know that our move would allow me to work with Ken Pyle, a man who started out as my boss but quickly became my mentor, friend, and encourager.
Ken was the best boss ever, and here’s why.
When higher-level administration made a decision about an event I was in charge of that caused local and national media attention, Ken stood by me during the craziness and later asked, “What did we learn from this?” He viewed these trials as teachable moments to help shape me and make me better.
When I had overcommitted my team, my students, and myself to an over-the-top event schedule, Ken gave me permission to take some of it off my plate… guilt free. He protected me from myself.
When an event or new organization was a success, Ken cheered me on, gave me high-fives, and let me take all the credit. And when I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, he encouraged me until I could see it too. He was my cheerleader.
Sure, Michael Scott from NBC’s The Office may have had the “World’s Best Boss” mug, but I truly had the best boss and leader an Achiever could ask for.
But there was one problem: Even though I had an amazing boss and leader in my career, I was guilty of viewing God as a micro-managing, small-minded boss who told me what to do and when to do it. God was nothing like my boss Ken. I viewed God as a rule-giver, a control freak, and someone with a dour-face, incapable of being pleased.
Sadly, this view of God determined my response to God. It needed to change so I began reshaping my view altogether. What if I turned my view of God upside down?
When I view God as a boss who gives rules, practices, and commands for my benefit and protection, I see Him as someone who loves my soul and wants to protect my heart.
God doesn’t tell me to rest on the Sabbath and work only six days because He doesn’t want me to get ahead but because He knows that rest is vital to my body and my soul. His rules are for my good, like when I tell our kids to look both ways before crossing the street. My rule is not in place to kill their joy for carefree running; that rule is in place so they don’t get killed period. God’s rules protect us because He loves us like crazy. My view of God as protector makes me respond with thankfulness for all the ways He has protected my mind, my heart, my body, and my soul.
When I view God as the One who is in control and not a control freak, I understand that He is the boss who holds all things together.
I begin to understand that His ways are gentle and good. God isn’t grabbing control of my life. He is the most gentle, kind, and patient One I know. He is wise to know that while I want to control it all, I simply can’t sustain that kind of weight. He takes the control out of my hands and holds me in His gentle and strong, never-too-short-to-save arms. My view of God as sustainer of my life makes me respond with a big sigh of relief. I can relax and live in joy.
When I view God as the One who sings over me and delights in me, I know that He isn’t a dour-faced boss.
God is with me every day, and I believe that He truly enjoys hanging out with me. He rejoices over me and shows His great happiness with me with loud singing, not timid lip-syncing, but big, shouting gladness (Zephaniah 3:17). One of my favorite verses in all the Bible is Isaiah 43:1–5, when in verse 4, God says, “You are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you.” Those words are true and spoken by a God fully in love and in like with His people. My view of God as the One who sings over me makes me respond in just the same way: singing and praising! I mean, how could I not?
If God gave me a boss on earth who viewed moments as teachable. Who shaped me and made me better, protected me from myself, and served as my advocate, shield and cheerleader, how much better is my Heavenly Father?
Achievers, we bristle at authority, which includes bristling against God who is better than the best boss ever. My God teaches, protects, listens, and advocates on my behalf. May our prayer today be that our view of Him is right so we that can respond to Him in obedience as the leader of our lives.