REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Barry Kang who heads Symphony Church in Boston, is an updated version of his blog first posted on September 24, 2014. He is a graduate of Stanford University (BA), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (D.Min.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Undercover Boss”
Ecclesiastes 9:17
The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
If you’ve never seen it before, the reality TV show, Undercover Boss, is a fascinating concept. The CEO/boss of a company disguises himself as a newly hired employee and pretends to “learn the ropes” at his own workplace. Most of the time, his words of advice and guiding comments are completely ignored by the workers because he is, in their eyes, a “nobody”. Blinded by appearances, even when the CEO raises his voice while offering wise advice, none of them pay any attention because all the workers assume that they know better than this “rookie” who “came out of nowhere”.
The best part of the show, as you can imagine, is when the boss reveals his identity, and the ensuing looks of shock. Consequentially, the ones who were prideful and unwilling to heed the advice of the disguised boss are fired from the institution. On the other hand, those who quieted their own ego and recognized the wise words are praised.
“Undercover Boss” unveils an attitude problem that we tend to have. We think we know how to live our own lives. At times we are offended when we are asked or challenged to change the pattern of our lives. Even the very Word of God has a hard time finding its place on the throne of our hearts and minds. But the Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Whether it is godly wisdom from a friend, coworker, family member, or the Bible, let’s quiet our egos and make room in our hearts for wisdom to come in.
Prayer: Lord, would You soften my heart today. I don’t know it all; I don’t have my life all figured out. Help me to let go of any pride that is hindering me from being molded and sharpened. In this moment, help me to be still and recognize that You are God. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today:Acts 3
Lunch Break Study
Read Isaiah 53:1-3: Who has believed what he has heard from us?And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?For he grew up before him like a young plant,and like a root out of dry ground;he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,and no beauty that we should desire him.He was despised and rejected by men;a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Questions to Consider
- In what ways did Jesus come as an “undercover boss”?
- When Jesus came to earth in the flesh, how was He treated?
- If Jesus was to be revealed today as the Lord over all creation, including us, what would be your reaction?
Notes
- Jesus came without fanfare, without royalty, without fame. There was nothing flashy about the way he came to us. He was born humbly, dressed humbly, and as one of us.
- When Jesus walked on the earth, He was respected by some as a teacher, He was sought after by others as a healer, and still others mocked him, ignored him, or plotted his demise. In the end, humanity was responsible for nailing the Lord Jesus Christ to a cross, and treating Him as a common criminal.
- Jesus Christ IS the Lord over all creation, and he IS the Lord over us as well. Now that his true identity has been fully revealed to us, He is no longer an “undercover” boss; He IS (just) the boss. Yet, sometimes we are so preoccupied with our own thoughts and desires that we forget to heed His words.
Evening Reflection
Earlier today, it was mentioned that Jesus is our “boss”. Although that is true, He is much more than just our boss! In John 15, Jesus says: “You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you”
We are more than just God’s employees because He invites us to share with him his heart. This evening, ask God to share His heart with you.