Holy Spirit, Take A Break

Did you ever wish the Holy Spirit would just take a break? Tonight at work was one of those days. One of the other drivers got in my way while I was pulling an order, blocking my way so he could get his. It really made me mad (or aggravated, I seldom get mad). I was forced to leave the area before I said something I would regret. Luckily I needed to change the battery in my lift. I really wanted to get mad and tell the boy what I thought. I think some of them are taking advantage of my loving nature. {LOL} But the Holy Spirit softly spoke those Oh familiar words, "get over it". So I went back and finished my load after he was out of the way. I had finished my order way before some of the others so I was told to help some of them with there's since it was almost time to knock off. Sooo while I was looking, guess who was the first one I came across?. You guessed it. Big Boy himself. He was stacking a pallet load. A real pesky part of the job. I paused to help him and could not help but "get over it".
And again while I was helping another driver with his load I noticed a couple of damaged cases on the pallet. I cleverly shifted them to face the damaged part inside so they would not show. It was 5 minutes until time to leave. But that Holy Spirit softly spoke those Oh familiar words," If you were the customer would you want those? and if Jesus was loading that pallet would He let that go?". So I fixed the pallet and replaced the case.
Some times you just want to tell Him to take a break. But as I felt later. I did the right things and the Lord was pleased. And that is what it is all about. Now I'll take the break.
Oct 2009 Working at Bremner Foods

Being Salt in the Workplace

"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."
Matthew 5:13 Geneva Bible 1599

I have read and heard this verse for years and saw it as a verse to compel us to share our faith. On further looking it also speaks to me of striving to make our surroundings better because of Christ in us. Like our workplace. Many of us go to work, get by with doing an O'Right job, and go home:
Think about what our calling in life is.
Wonder when will God use us?
Collapse on the couch and fall asleep to TV reruns.
When in fact we are "salt", not "we are to be salt" If we are born again and therefor a new creation in Christ, we are salt by New Creation Nature. We can not stop from being salt no more than salt can lose its flavor. Because if indeed it could lose its flavor it would be "not salt" and good for nothing but to be cast out in the street.
I had an atheist who was trying to show Jesus as a liar and not perfect use the fact that salt does not lose it's flavor ability. When in fact he did not understand how the eastern train of thought worked and how they said things in a way that gave a mental picture of facts by saying the opposite. Salt does not lose it's salty-ness like no one who lights a candle and covers it, if they wish to see. And a city on a hill cannot help but being seen. A Christian will change his environment just because that's the way Christ made him or her after the New Birth.
So, back to work. In many settings when persons have been at their job for a long time they become bored and uncaring. The company suffers and quality goes down hill. A Christian should have a trunk load of new ideas and improvement options.
In Japanese work culture there is a phase used called "Kaizen" (Ky'zen). 1 Meaning "gradual, unending improvement, doing little things better; setting and achieving ever higher standards". And this goes deeper than just the workplace in Japan. It flows over into daily life. The push to do better in every area of our lives. This is being salt. Making improvements to our work and daily life. A good pinch of salt does wonders for some dishes. It can totally change the meal for the good.
At this point I could produce a formula for achieving this seasoning but as stated it should become natural. We only have to look around and think, "What if I had the power to change the things at work or put policies in place to make it better", and then do something about it. Don't get bogged down with those who have lost there way and live only for the weekends of short relief from work pressures.
Find out the procedure in making suggestions and do it. Stuff the box or email them in.
And work in a way that sets up the person after you in the production line that will make their job easier and more productive. As long as it doesn't slow down your production.
And one word of advice (well, one more), when you don't get the results or recognition that you wanted, remember who you really work for and expect the currency of the Kingdom of God. Which are Righteousness, Peace and Joy. Romans 14:17 And if you do get a at-a-boy, pass the glory to the Lord, therefore is your witness.

If you are not a Christian and wish for something better in life. Give it a try and Receive power from Christ to make a difference in your life and others.
Mark 9:50
Luke 14:34-35
1- Kaizen: The Key to Japan's Competitive Success by Masaaki Imai