FIVE INDICATORS THAT WE HAVE ALLOWED OUR CAREERS TO PUSH GOD ASIDE(dw)

Loss of Self — Equating self-worth with career success: Any setback or change shakes us to

the core. Three men in Tokyo simultaneously hung themselves in a downtown hotel,

after going bust.

“Some… [measuring] themselves by themselves and [comparing] themselves with themselves, … are

not wise… A dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest… ” (II

Corinthians 10:12b; Luke 22:24)

Compromise of Integrity — Operating on the ethics of expediency: Underneath is a vague

sense of self-betrayal; a chipping away of integrity. In our upward climb we can easily be

trapped in the seductive chase for power and recognition.

“You test the heart and are pleased with integrity… The Lord detests men of perverse heart but he

delights in those whose ways are blameless.” (I Chronicles 29:17b; Proverbs 11:20)

Inflated notions of importance — Drawing the fallacious assumption that we are indispensable: With the need to prop up our sagging ego, we place an inflated sense of

importance on our unique qualifications, experience and capabilities. (My bet is that if we

dematerialized tomorrow, the ranks would close in around us, and we would be little

more than a fading memory.)

“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober

judgment...” (Romans 12:3b)

Hopelessness and stagnation — The inescapable result of those in business and the professions who fail to realize the futility of the career as an end in itself: Inevitably, a “been there,

done that” feeling begins to resonate through the bones. Sadly, by the time that happens

we may already be trapped.

“So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is

meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 2:17)

Loneliness and isolation — The unavoidable consummation of one who has scant regard

for established values and authority, and who abuses people for personal gain.

“All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger… ” (Ecclesiastes

5:17)

In business, we are free to choose any path we so desire, but we are not free to control the

consequences.

Question: Are you prepared to live with the certain aftermath of your business choices?