Friday, April 6, 2018

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.          Matthew 10:16
 
      The tall, distinguished, grey-haired man who walked into my office in Silicon Valley was, like me, a member of the company’s senior staff.  He was also a retired Marine colonel.  He exuded strength and authority.  But on that day, he seemed nervous.  He closed the door, sat down, and spoke to me in a low voice.  “I’ve been told to lease and purchase more buildings-- a lot more.  Millions of dollars’ worth of property.”  He pushed a sheet of paper across my desk.  It was a signed authorization, typical for expenditures in excess of a million dollars.  “It seems in order,” I said.  “What’s the problem?”  He replied, “When X signed it, he said, ‘You know, I suspect that sometimes people forge my signature.’  Then he just stared at me.  I think I’m being set up.  He must want me out and he’s setting me up.  What do I do?”  I’m sure my colleague wasn’t expecting my first response: “Read the psalms.”  My second response: “Don’t worry.  We can do some things to make sure he doesn’t trap you.” – was one that he understood.  But I meant both responses. 

​      What do you do when you’re outmatched, feel trapped, and don’t know how to fight?  When someone is plotting against you?  The Bible gives us two tools: Asking
God to fight for us, as the psalmists did, when we cannot fight for ourselves; and being as wise as we can be in the ways of the world.  Two tools.  Both necessary, both understood by God.  
​© Carol Dean Henn   2018

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