To Be Used by God
I said to God the other day, “You used me.”
I laughed—because I came to this conclusion after going through hell in my workplace. For weeks, I cried out to God to release me from my job, and all I heard from Him in the midst of my mental anguish was, “In a little while.” If you’ve ever been in the middle of a trial, I’m sure you understand when I say that was the last thing I wanted to hear the Lord say to me.
I had been hearing of the injustices that had been swarming through my workplace because of a particular individual. People either left the company willingly or were fired—ultimately due to their encounters with him.
Eventually, it was my turn to work with this individual, and I was miserable. Unlike the others, I spoke up for myself and asked not to be partnered with him again. This was honored by my direct report—my Operational Supervisor I. I did things decently and in order, as the Word of God instructs (1 Corinthians 14:40). Instead of going above my direct report’s head to request a team change, I went directly to him and first made him aware of the issue I was having with another team member—giving him the opportunity to fix the problem. Out of respect for him, I did this.
Unfortunately, this ended up backfiring on me. Let’s just say: where I thought my direct report and I were in agreement, we really weren’t—and his perception of me was actually tainted after our conversation due to his personal relationship with the individual I complained about.
For a while, the Lord allowed much injustice toward me to occur behind the scenes. Then, He called for its exposure—not only exposing the true character of the individual who was difficult to work with, but also exposing the true character of my direct report. Ultimately, He vindicated me, clearing every misperception and false accusation against me, and making my light shine like the dawn.
Here’s a quick little how-to:
Surrender and submit.
Surrender your desires and expectations, and submit to God’s will for your life—both present and future.
I prayed for those who had experienced injustice at the hands of these individuals in my job, but I never expected God to use me as the forerunner for the deliverance and vindication of all who had been done a disservice by them.
Before I’m anything else, I’m a child of God and servant of Jesus Christ—a vessel for the works of God to manifest on this earth. So yes, God used me. And no, I didn’t like what I had to endure. But for the victory accomplished in the workplace, it was worth it. Would I want to do it again? Absolutely not. But if I’m called to, I will—because I know the God I serve.
Sometimes God's answers to our prayers come in the form of our boldness and obedience. I didn’t want to speak out, nor did I want to remain on the job. But it was through both of these actions that my prayer was answered. Not because of who I am, but because of who God is—and because I am His, the injustice had to get exposed when it ran into me.
Do me a favor:
Read The Redeemer: The Wolves, post dated February 13, 2024.