I had been asked to speak to this young man who could not keep a job and was about to be dismissed yet again. He was full of anger when he spoke to me, and had many excuses why he was so badly treated.
We talked of each job he had held since leaving school without receiving a graduation certificate. He seemed intelligent enough but his actions gave the lie to this. I noticed a pattern as he talked, and at an appropriate break in his narrative, was able to show him what I had seen.
"Alex, in every job you have had, you tell me you were made to work under a strict supervisor who, apparently, was bent on making you look bad and getting you dismissed." He nodded.
"Is it possible, that you went into each job with an attitude problem against anyone who tried to tell you what to do and how to do it, rather than leaving you alone to get on with work you know you are capable of doing without their interference?" Again, he nodded, but slowly.
We then talked about school and it soon became apparent that there had been a teacher whom Alex hated for exactly the same reasons. He was domineering and controlling over all his students, many of whom were fearful and silent in his presence. Alex, however, could never remain silent and soon an ongoing feud developed between them. This led to Alex receiving many detentions and being sent to the headmaster for opposing this bully. Things went downhill quickly and he could not wait to leave that school - and that teacher.
It was with such an attitude that Alex approached his first job, only to discover that he was still subject to men he considered domineering. He did not understanding that he was now being paid to do a job and that the role of a foreman supervisor was to see that the new employees quickly learned how to do that job properly. Alex walked away.
A similar pattern followed in each of the dead-end jobs he could find, even though his employers recognised his capabilities, being unaware of his attitude.
It took a while to persuade Alex of his need to 'release' the bullying teacher who had wounded him so much, but he finally prayed Stephen's prayer, "Father, lay not this sin to his charge!"
Two years later I met Alex again. He had just been promoted to a leadership position in the department where he now worked. His employer had commended him for his work habits and had raised his salary to a level far above anything he had anticipated. He was fulfilled in his work and enjoyed encouraging the new employees who came under his supervision.
He had been set free!
Be the first to react on this!
Gareth Evans ( - )
Gareth Evans is an itinerant pastor/teacher with a burden to minister to the hurting church his ministry website is Gareth Evans Ministries. Formerly a Physics teacher in the UK and Canada, he became a pastor with the Christian & Missionary Alliance in Canada in 1979. In 1991, he was invited to serve as pastor on board the M/V Anastasis, a medical, missionary ship operated by Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Since leaving that ministry four years later, Gareth has traveled to many countries, encouraging pastors and missionaries.He is married to Anne and they have three married daughters, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Gareth and Anne live in Victoria, in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Some of his main burdens is to mentor young men to see them walk in the anointing of God and soar on wings as eagles. He has also prayed for revival and moderated many revival conferences across the world.