Ecclesiastes 8:2-6 (Horrible Bosses)

 As we break apart this idea of remaining poised, let's look deeper at the three areas here that Solomon says we will probably need some poise: bosses and leaders, our deaths, and war/wickedness in verses 2 through 9.

I'm finding that with this idea of poise, it takes a lot more work than I originally thought.  Trying to remain poised in situations that involve other people is difficult, because they aren't trying to work on "poise" the way I am!

I am grateful to say that I have not had many experiences where I've had horrible bosses, but I know stories of people very dear to me who have: selfish, moody, out-for-self kind of bosses.  Perhaps you can relate to being under the weight of such "leaders," or perhaps during any given presidential term you may feel that you are under a weight as you wait out their term.

Regardless of whatever authority you may be under, remain poised, Solomon says:

² Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. ³ Do not be in a hurry to leave the king’s presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. ⁴ Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, “What are you doing?”

⁵ Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm,
    and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
⁶ For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,
    though a person may be weighed down by misery.

There may be a proper time and procedure to speak to a boss about something, but Solomon says, don't be in a hurry to do it.  Bosses will do what bosses will do.  You serve their pleasures and commands, not your own.  And ultimately, they are still under The Boss, Himself.  

We are called to obey authority.  Don't abandon that position.  Even if you have a horrible boss, don't panic.  God sees, and it takes patience and trust in God for us to choose to submit to frail, human authority.

Remember David living under the evil King Saul?  He had multiple opportunities to kill Saul; yet, he had promised God that he would not take Saul's life into his own hands.  So he waited.  Under the evil leadership of a man who wanted him dead!  It took poise to not take Saul out.  Eventually, God took him out!

We can't control everything in life and that's OK.  Obey the moral will of God and do what He commands us to do.  Solomon reminds us that the obedient man "will come to no harm."  If your life is characterized by willful obedience and sumbission to the authority above you, there will be a "proper time and place" for dealing with problems.  When you're obeying the will of God, you don't have to worry.

You probably can't get your mean boss fired.  You have no control over that.  But what you do have control over is you.  Are you doing well with the things that ARE in your control?

A wise and poised follower of Christ knows He can change things in a heartbeat and, therefore, can rest in the sovereignty of God.

As far as my family member goes, the horrible boss in that situation got demoted...without this person having to do anything!  It took a few years, but his character/ability was found out. 

Be still.  God will take care of it.

Molly Monroe