"Et tu Brute" / Working with the enemy

Have you ever worked with someone who came off as the most professional, most knowledgeable person in the room but behind closed doors, you know that they are the exact opposite of that?  Have you ever worked with someone who would do whatever it takes to make themselves look good in front of the supervisor, to the detriment of everyone else in the office?  Have you ever worked with someone who was outright incompetent but would never accept responsibility for their mistakes but rather deflect the blame to everyone else?

Here are my questions:

1. What motivates these people to be the way they are?  Money?  Fame?  Fortune?
2. How is it that these people still have jobs?
3. Why is it that my supervisor is blind to these things when everyone else can see it very clearly?
4. Am I allowed to zip out of my Jesus-suit and cuss them out so good that all of the Kings and Queens of Comedy would be proud?

I have come to a realization recently thanks mostly to my lovely wife and I wanted to share it with my blog readers.  (I think the last statement I just made wreaks of self-indulgence... to call you "my blog reader"... but I just couldn't help myself :-)

I call myself a Christian and I am not ashamed to say it.  As part of my faith, I believe that God sent his son, Jesus, to die for my sins and that God loves me unconditionally... no matter what I do, no matter what I say, and no matter how bad I screw up which by the way is ALL the time and of a royal nature.  Also as part of my faith, I know that there is a devil who hates me unconditionally.  Even if I choose to serve the devil, he will not love me for it but rather hate me just the same.  He laughs at me when I screw up and kicks me when I am down.  He relishes in the fact that I screw up all the time especially when it is of a royal nature.  Now, with those caveats of my faith, which is not all inclusive but main pillars of my belief system... could I find the answers to my questions above?  Guess what, yes I can.

See, I have been blind.  I thought because we are in the workplace that professionalism, good work ethic, and other good occupational qualities could rule and those who are of an unscrupulous nature would be dimed out and weeded out without prejudice.  In the words of my late Uncle James, "NO WAY, JOSE!!!"

Here are some bible verse about the devil that I have recently reacquainted myself with:

1 Peter 5:8
Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [ in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 

John 10:10
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. 

Ephesians 6:12

For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents (or co-workers... my input right here], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

Many of us who think of evil, we think it only happens in certain situations.  We look at the news and see murders, terrorist attacks, and severe weather and maybe connote that with something or someone evil or something the devil "made them do".  Guess what y'all, it ain't just on the news, it's right there in the cubicle next to you or the office across from you or even the office on the top floor.  Why would evil limit itself to news worthy stuff?  It doesn't.  God is not limited to our finite situations but rather involved in anything that we are involved with... evil is the same way.  Do you really think professionalism and good work ethic would stop tactics of evil intentions?  It will actually motivate them even further.  And guess what, at times, the folks in charge will not only be blinded to these antics but will encourage these antics, join in with these antics and even award these antics.

Well, here's the good news.  First of all, don't give that tongue lashing that I spoke of in the beginning.  Second, listen to what God says about your situation:

Matthew 5:11-13

Count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit you. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I (God) do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company.

Even on the job... shoot, ESPECIALLY on the job, we can be comforted in knowing that God has our backs.  Stay professional.  Keep doing excellent work.  Stay the course y'all.  If God says I should count myself as blessed, then I am going to hang on to that.  I have been blessed by many folks but ain't nothin' better than for God to bless me. So, if I am blessed when co-workers, supervisors, and colleagues do bad things towards me, then so be it.  I can definitely live with that.