Jeroboam was a man of standing, and when Solomon saw how well the young man did his work, he put him in charge of the whole labor force. (1 Kings 11:28)
Expanded Passage: 1 Kings 11:26-28
“I can’t do anything,” Sherri said, throwing her hands in the air and tears gathering in her beautiful brown eyes. In front of me sat a woman in her fifties with long silver hair which she flipped over her shoulder occasionally, reminiscent of a young adolescent trying to make a point. As a client of the program I ran, assisting adults with disabilities to find employment, Sherri and I had been brainstorming a list of skills for her resume.
Months later, after countless hours of preparation, including a near catastrophe in the fitting room while shopping for Sherri’s interview clothes coupled with weekly visits to local businesses (sometimes incentivizing the trips with ice cream along the way), it finally happened. She was offered a job! You might have believed Sherri had received a million dollars with the sheer excitement we both experienced in light of that glorious triumph.
While God ultimately appoints people to positions, our perseverance, character, and integrity serve as a foundation from which promotion finds us. Persevere, do the right thing, and be diligent even when you face challenges. Take your work seriously, regardless of how big or small you perceive it to be. Perhaps something within you is being cultivated and who you become will be the propelling force that takes you where you need to be in the future.
Guard your reputation by diligently working where God has placed you.
Sarah Cochran received an MDiv from Wesley Seminary and is an ordained Wesleyan pastor in the Florida District. She and her husband, Tom, work for an agency rescuing kids from trafficking.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
