Paul says in Ephesians 6:15 that we should stand firm “with [our] feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace”. Going to work with military boots on isn’t necessarily going to help with conflict resolution. So what does this verse have to do with the workplace?
A Roman soldier’s boots were designed to ensure stability in combat – protective without slowing him down, and spiked for a good purchase in difficult terrain. It is that stability that we gain when we’re armed with the gospel, the good news, of God’s peace (the “peace that passes all understanding” of Philippians 4:7, which was promised by Jesus in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”) This peace is the shalom of the Old Testament (eirene in the New), which speaks of rightness, reconciliation, completeness and security, not just absence of conflict.
When we walk into a difficult meeting, or are confronted by an angry investor, customer or employee, our natural tendency is to be defensive or combative (at least mine is). If our ego is being challenged, or our security, we will lash out and try to use aggression (or passive aggression) to defend ourselves. However, if we are at peace, knowing we are loved and valued by God, knowing that we are in the place He wants us, this reaction becomes unnecessary. When we are at fault, we can acknowledge it and seek to make reparation. When we are being falsely accused, we can calmly seek to set the record straight, and can accept the consequences, no matter how unfair, if this isn’t sufficient for our accuser.
A key element of this piece of armor is “readiness”. It is no good going into a meeting, discovering we’re under attack, and then trying to throw out an arrow prayer requesting peace. In my experience it just doesn’t work like that. The preparation comes from our daily walk with God, our routines of worship, prayer and Bible study, our fellowship with other believes who challenge and encourage us, and who accept us as people beloved by God. By such things, our feet become fitted with this readiness, the readiness that comes from knowing for sure the best of all possible news, that we are at peace with God, the creator and supreme ruler of the universe. How could anyone else possibly threaten us?
What a beautiful, encouraging post! This is really profound, the way you talk about the peace of God, and being grounded in it all the way down to our boots. I think this is the number one lesson we can take with us into business - if we are at peace with God, then that security should translate into our behavior in how we handle difficult situations. I, like you, tend to fall to ego-driven responses, which are NOT based on security in God's love. The readiness is critical.
ReplyDeleteI really like the concepts presented in this. We all need peace in our workplace. And it's not something that will come from corporate or from management or the boss. It starts with me and how I come to work.
ReplyDeleteI'll be featuring this at the High Calling www.thehighcalling.org as one of the best posts from around Network for last month. Keep writing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, gentlemen, and for the honor of the High Calling inclusion. I'm struggling with finding time to keep this blog going, and your encouragement increases my resolve.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Graham don't give up on your blog! You have so much potential to bless your readers. And there is a dearth of men in the Christian blogosphere. So hang in there! Blessings and All the Best!
ReplyDeleteNice post to remind us how to live with confidence in Christ flowing from those daily habits that ready us.
ReplyDeleteI need to get me some shoes like that. Do they come in charcoal? ;-)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though, great post, Graham. I'm really struck by the maturity with which you handle conflict -- taking the heat even when it's not fair. That's grace in action.
So cool to see you featured over at The High Calling!
I've never heard that verse talked about in this context - but why wouldn't God have a practical meaning behind it? I'm learning to breathe before I react to situations, then open up my heart to receive another's perspective. It doesn't pay to get caught up in being the most right. I wonder how much frustration I would leave behind if I had that readiness you talk about...
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