WF Pride
Focus on Unity and Humility
Johnny Honaker
I’ve seen countless examples relating to Unity and Humility over the past few weeks. First, we completed the annual review process and I’ve seen firsthand how our team demonstrates the willingness to accept feedback that will make the entire team grow closer, improve relationships and increase our operational capability. It takes a tremendous amount of humility for us to hear things that we personally need to improve upon and to not only avoid being offended by such comments, but to accept that feedback in a positive manner and take action to better ourselves and the team. Next, there are a handful of folks who are intimately involved in establishing and developing the new transportation project. Like many of our operations, getting that project moving has been a “fluid” process to say the least. Through the curve balls and numerous obstacles that seem to pop up, that group has displayed an amazing ability to lay pride aside and have worked in unison to make improvements that will no doubt result in Walther Farms continuing to provide world class service to its customers.
As good as our teams are, there are still some subtle habits that most of us possess that will get in the way of Unity and Humility. We need to recognize these things as they will not only cause division in our teams at work, but they will cause division in your church and in your relationship with God. One of my favorite pastors offered the following five negative habits: Comparison: our sense of “fairness”…the statement “it’s not fair” is a distraction that will lead our minds down a path that strays from God and His will for our lives, Pride: which plays to our sense of “ego”, Tradition: that’s not how we do things or it’s not “my” preference…it’s not how “I” like to do things, Bitterness: something small tends to become a big deal and we feel that someone needs to pay for how they made us feel, and last is Judgment: we judge others through our own lens and perceptions…we develop the attitude that “my” opinion” is what matters and “I” know better than some other person or worse…”I” know better than God. These distractions occur at work, in our personal relationships with spouses and friends and unfortunately they also occur within the church. Yes, we are all human and we make mistakes, but I would like to challenge everyone to examine your own behavior, your responses to individuals or situations and make a focused effort to eliminate these distractions from your life.
“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will grant you His blessing”. 1 Peter 3:8-9 NLT
“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom”. Proverbs 11:2 NLT
Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, as we recently celebrated Easter, we are thankful for Jesus, who was humbly born into this world, died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected on the third day. May we all experience perfect unity in knowing that we are reconciled to the Father through the pure love of the Son. It’s in Jesus name we pray, Amen.