because I said so...
Because I said so. I always hated that statement. There's no room for negotiation, no consideration for an alternative or a different perspective. Because I said so means its happening regardless of how you feel about it. And it's happening because someone with authority, whom you cannot usurp, is making a decision.
I got a new job a few months back, and it was such a blessing. One of those things that God so graciously hands you simply because He is good, not because you deserve it. Anyway, it encompassed everything my heart had been desiring for years. I was finally getting the opportunity to do something I love and am passionate about, and I was getting a management position. Of course, this was a new thing for me as I had never been given that kind of responsibility. And although I wasn't sure what to do, I had some good ideas of what not to do based on previous experiences. But the hardest thing for me, and the thing I admittedly struggle with, is wanting to please everyone. I want everyone to like me, and I have come to realize that you can't do it. No matter what decision you make, someone won't like it and will end up disliking you. And although it's easy for some people to navigate change and accept decisions they might not agree with, that's not the case for everyone. So learning to make what I feel like is the best decision and stick with it, even if everyone isn't happy about it, is something I've yet to get used to.
It'd be easy for me to simply say, "This is happening because I'm the manager and I said so." And the truth is, sometimes I'd like to. Before Aaron and I were married, I told him things had to be done a certain way "because this was my house and that's how I wanted it." You can imagine how well that was received. And I can imagine throwing out a "because I said so" at work would go over just as well. Although we may not all agree on how thing are done, we can still talk about it. We can still be open and considerate and understanding. And, at the end of the day, we can understand that a decision has to be made and someone is going to be held responsible for it.
I think that's where we go wrong. We want an explanation to why, but the reason why is because the one saying so, the one with given authority in the situation, is going to be held responsible. If things fall apart, they're the ones who have to answer for it. They are the ones who have to explain. And the real issue, I think, is that we have a problem with authority. We don't want someone telling us what we can't and can do, especially if we are certain our ways our better. We don't want that person limiting us or controlling us. But Jesus followers have to look at it differently. We have to look at it through the lens of God's word. Because our natural tendency is to stick it to the man, isn't it? To undermine him when we don't like what he has decided. To talk about him and tear him down so that we can convince ourselves he's got it all wrong. Yet the word, the God breathed word, says things like:
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ." - Ephesians 6:5
and...
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord." - Colossians 3:22
So maybe you don't have a problem accepting authority in the workplace. Maybe, like me, you have a great boss. But maybe you find it hard to do so in the places that you don't have to be but choose to be. And yet structure is put in place, and if we truly believe that God calls people to certain positions, then we have to realize that respecting God appointed authority is, in essence, respecting God. And even if we don't think the Lord put them in that place, well, we're called to take the high road. After all, isn't that what reflects Jesus? We don't have to, we choose to. Not because He said so but because He is honored when we do so.
"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." - Romans 13:1-2
I got a new job a few months back, and it was such a blessing. One of those things that God so graciously hands you simply because He is good, not because you deserve it. Anyway, it encompassed everything my heart had been desiring for years. I was finally getting the opportunity to do something I love and am passionate about, and I was getting a management position. Of course, this was a new thing for me as I had never been given that kind of responsibility. And although I wasn't sure what to do, I had some good ideas of what not to do based on previous experiences. But the hardest thing for me, and the thing I admittedly struggle with, is wanting to please everyone. I want everyone to like me, and I have come to realize that you can't do it. No matter what decision you make, someone won't like it and will end up disliking you. And although it's easy for some people to navigate change and accept decisions they might not agree with, that's not the case for everyone. So learning to make what I feel like is the best decision and stick with it, even if everyone isn't happy about it, is something I've yet to get used to.
It'd be easy for me to simply say, "This is happening because I'm the manager and I said so." And the truth is, sometimes I'd like to. Before Aaron and I were married, I told him things had to be done a certain way "because this was my house and that's how I wanted it." You can imagine how well that was received. And I can imagine throwing out a "because I said so" at work would go over just as well. Although we may not all agree on how thing are done, we can still talk about it. We can still be open and considerate and understanding. And, at the end of the day, we can understand that a decision has to be made and someone is going to be held responsible for it.
I think that's where we go wrong. We want an explanation to why, but the reason why is because the one saying so, the one with given authority in the situation, is going to be held responsible. If things fall apart, they're the ones who have to answer for it. They are the ones who have to explain. And the real issue, I think, is that we have a problem with authority. We don't want someone telling us what we can't and can do, especially if we are certain our ways our better. We don't want that person limiting us or controlling us. But Jesus followers have to look at it differently. We have to look at it through the lens of God's word. Because our natural tendency is to stick it to the man, isn't it? To undermine him when we don't like what he has decided. To talk about him and tear him down so that we can convince ourselves he's got it all wrong. Yet the word, the God breathed word, says things like:
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ." - Ephesians 6:5
and...
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord." - Colossians 3:22
So maybe you don't have a problem accepting authority in the workplace. Maybe, like me, you have a great boss. But maybe you find it hard to do so in the places that you don't have to be but choose to be. And yet structure is put in place, and if we truly believe that God calls people to certain positions, then we have to realize that respecting God appointed authority is, in essence, respecting God. And even if we don't think the Lord put them in that place, well, we're called to take the high road. After all, isn't that what reflects Jesus? We don't have to, we choose to. Not because He said so but because He is honored when we do so.
"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." - Romans 13:1-2
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