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“Being “Jesus” to a workplace “monster””
We love because he first loved us.
Pam writes:
For ten years I had a wonderful office job. Two of the women in my office became dear friends, and my clients were great to work with. There was only one problem: the manager. He was a convincing liar and I truly believe he worked at keeping things in the office stirred up so that he had reason to stay in the office and not go out and generate business (which was part of his job). It was common for him to verbally attack those under his charge.
On one occasion, after standing up for a co-worker, I became the object of his wrath. In a fit of rage, his face was almost purple red. He paced the office, shaking his clenched fist and speaking between clenched teeth. I feared at any moment he would reach out and strike me. By God’s grace, I made it though that meeting but broke down shortly thereafter. A few months later, I could take it no longer and with no plans or job, I resigned.
Within a year that manager lost his job.
Then came Easter Sunday. Our pastor distributed a booklet to everyone in the congregation and said there was only one stipulation: we could not keep this gift, we had to give it to someone else. The booklet told the Easter Story of God’s gift to man. Immediately the Holy Spirit spoke to me and I knew that I was to give this booklet to my former manager. Great fear filled my heart. How could I give this precious gift to someone who caused so much pain? How could I face him again? What if he responded in another fit of rage? Christians are not supposed to hate, and I did not wish him harm, but neither would I pray blessings upon his life.
The booklet stayed on the dresser in my bedroom for several months, a reminder of the mission I had refused to accept. Then one Saturday morning as I was preparing my Sunday School lesson on Jonah’s trial for not wanting to share the good news to the people in Nivevah, I felt the urging of the Spirit once more. I knew there would be no peace in my soul until I took this booklet to my former manager, so I went.
There is no happily ever after to this story, not yet anyway. This man accepted the gift and told me that no one had ever given him a gift like this before. He actually thanked me! Such a peace filled my soul. He refused my offer to come set with me to church, but who knows someday he may accept God’s invitation.
The most wonderful thing that came from this mission was what it did for me. The great bitterness I had within my heart was gone! In its place was pity for a man who never had anyone give him such a gift. Peace replaced the great fear of meeting this man. When I see him now, instead of remembering the horrible times in the office, I remember the spiritually poor man I shared the good news with.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on April 9th, 2007 and filed under Your Stories, Evangelization, Loving your enemies.
April 10th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Pam, we have similar stories - I too worked for 10 years in a sales job that I really enjoyed. In my 11th year, this one guy was employed who, while not my manager, somehow thought that he should be and made working in that store unbearable. Eventually I resigned, and a few months later he was fired. I certainly commend you for giving your ex-boss that book - that must have been a very difficult thing to do.
Another lady had a similar story to you - if you click on “loving your enemies” it should show up!
April 11th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Pam, I think that there are a lot of us out here that run into this same issue in our workplace. The most wonderful thing I think, is how God was working in you and through you. Isn’t amazing how he can turn a difficult situation into one that will glorify Him!
April 15th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
I had a recent “Jonah experience”, though not related to work. I live in a senior citizens high rise and since our church lost it’s building, we have been meeting in the TV room here. There is a very large Somali (Muslim) population here. On Good Friday, our church presented the film “King of Kings” in the Community Room, complete with popcorn, candy & soft drinks. Some of the people who stopped in to watch (at least part of) the film were Muslim. After it was over, the security guard, also Somali, asked if someone could tell him who was responsible for putting Jesus to death.
I was volunteered for the task, I gave him a brief answer, but noticed the genuine interest in his expression - also a look that showed he wasn’t satisfied with my brief answer. The Lord let me know I was supposed to minister to this man. I was less than thrilled with the assignment, but also thought about how similar my circumstanses were to Jonah’s when I read the Bible story to my grandson two days later.
I talked to him a little more that evening. Giving him a more in-depth answer. He told me what he believed and I listened, offering very few comments of my own. The Lord was leading me to go slowly. I will talk to him again tomorrow, probably about family issues. I believe that with him, the Gospel has to come slowly and not as a “hard sell”. I do feel confident that I’m doing what the Lord wants me to do, the way He wants me to do it. Sometime He stretches us, as he did you with your manager & me with this security guard, but if we trust Him and obey Him, the benefits are boundless & eternal.
November 16th, 2007 at 7:28 am
I read this testimony when I was experiencing a tense situation at work. It really encouraged me to know that God is sovereign. Thankyou.
December 1st, 2007 at 10:02 am
Jo,
Just read your post and pray that God was faithful in helping you through your trial at work!
My original post didn’t go on to tell you, but I never did a job search, yet - it was less than one week after leaving my job that another agency contacted me and offered me a temporary position making more money than I had been making!! Indeed our God is sovereign! He is our encourager, provider, comforter and Lord! Those who follow His lead will reap great rewards – present & eternal.
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Pam, that is unbelievable! Not literally, of course I believe you :) But that is such a story. To reach out to someone who hurt you. Looks like your office manager has had some issues, to say the very least. For you to follow Jesus’ example and reach out to him, of all people, shows him that someone cared enough about him to see thru his charade (for that is what it was) of being this tough guy. I can tell you that he will never forget you for that. He is wondering right now, what kind of a God could motivate someone to come to me with info like that! And that is just the point. That he is now wondering about God. Maybe the next step is to come to Jesus Christ. But you certainly showed him the Way. Good for you. It is a tough thing to even talk to our enemies let alone witness to them!!!!!!!!