The Goat Head Tendency
Even though I've never really worked in an office setting, I've always loved the Dilbert comics. They're funny because they apply to so much outside of "cubicle world". Today's was particularly funny, and poignant:
Isn't it just like all of us to have this Goat Head Tendency? As long as something doesn't affect us directly, we're in our own happy places, and get along ok. I see this all the time in my own life, and it constantly drives me to remember that God didn't act the same way, and because of that, we have the great privilege of looking beyond ourselves to the needs and care of others.
Some Scripture immediately comes to mind as I ponder this. In each of these, notice especially the order of things - first God's action, which then prompts a response from us as the Spirit works in us to look beyond ourselves.
And God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
"You shall have no other gods before me."
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Who knew Dilbert could be such an effective spiritual teacher?
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