Performance Evaluation

Matthew 26: ⁶ While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, ⁷ a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

⁸ When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. ⁹ “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

¹⁰ Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ¹¹ The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. ¹² When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. ¹³ Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

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Disturbed by the pressures of the week I sat on the couch drained. My prayer time led to a number of complaints of “what I did not have” and how “this” person or “that” person was mistreating me. With all these things spinning in my mind, I could not rest. GOD can you hear me!?

• Sometimes I wonder where GOD is.
• Sometimes I get upset that GOD may not be listening.
• Sometimes I think GOD is not performing up to HIS potential.

When the woman poured expensive perfume on JESUS, the disciples immediately evaluated her performance as being wrong. They had no idea that she was being led by the SPIRIT to prepare our LORD for HIS death. They were busy looking at achievement. BUT GOD wants something different.

• JESUS wants me to sometimes focus only on HIM.
• JESUS wants me to bring HIM my concerns but sometimes focus only on HIM.
• JESUS wants me to express my worries, doubts, fears and short comings, but sometimes focus only on HIM.

“She has done a beautiful thing to ME” JESUS said to the disciples. HE wasn’t saying they were wrong; it’s just sometimes you need to focus on GOD alone. HE wants my attention and praise just as much as my concerns, perhaps more. By anointing JESUS with my love, I raise HIM over my concerns.

• Are you extremely worried?
• Do you feel you need to work harder to please GOD?
• Can you take some time to focus only on JESUS today?

Being Defensive

Job 20: ² “My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer
    because I am greatly disturbed.
³ I hear a rebuke that dishonors me,
    and my understanding inspires me to reply.

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Evaluation time was here again and I sat across from my boss feeling like a child. Inside my head my eyes were rolling because the words were not flattering. When I had enough, I spoke up. My boss said something profound. “Don’t be defensive, take these words and exceed.”

• Sometimes I don’t like it when I’m criticized.
• Sometimes I don’t like it when my flaws are pointed out.
• Sometimes I don’t like it when I’m told to improve.

I’m alright just the way I am, aren’t I? Well, maybe. One flaw of Job’s friend Zophar is that he was blaming Job for Jobs’ calamity. While he was well meaning, he was trying to get Job to admit to guilt that Job did not possess. Zophar could not improve and considered Jobs’ rebuke as an insult. I feel the same way at times. I mean who wants to be told “Your face, hair, body, personality, decisions and actions are all wrong?” GOD told me to listen to my boss.

• GOD says to me “Be slow to anger.”
• GOD says to me “Listen to wise counsel.”
• GOD says to me “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.”

I don’t mean stay around an abuser of power, but what I am saying is “work for GOD not for humans.” When I work for GOD then I try harder to please HIM rather than pleasing mankind. My actions may seem strange but my heart will be right. When I hear a criticism, I can then way it against what GOD says and if there is truth to the statement, be willing to change.

After I made internal changes and asked others what I could improve, I got promoted three times. Pride blinds, GOD opens my eyes and HE opens doors.

• Are you mad at your evaluation?
• Is someone being critical of you in a healthy way?
• Do you believe you cannot be criticized?
• Will you drop your defenses and listen to see if GOD is trying to reach you?