It's Not What You Say I Am - It's Who I Know I Am

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. - Matthew 5:9


Have you ever been called or labeled something that contradicts who and what you are? Have you ever felt persecuted? We all have at one point, but at what point do you stand up against the enemy or giant? Is it when you decide to reach into that lowest pocket and speak, or is it when you hold your tongue and pray silently?

Yesterday at work, many things were going wrong. A certain co-worker, again, failed to pass information from the previous evening to the morning and afternoon shift. Information about a reporter's flight status, embed schedule on so forth. My supervisor asked me about the status, and I could not answer the question. Then I was tasked to do the night shift's work and my daily work in addition to the work received from my supervisor, but there was a deadline. The deadline was possible to meet, but it took 95% of my devotion because I had to work from scratch. In other words, doubling efforts and reinventing the wheel. I truly hate that but it is what it is. After 15 minutes of tackling the situation, I called the night shift worker to get answers. All I got was a circle of information that went nowhere. So, I directed the person to come in. Of course there were words exchanged, but the end result is the person came in. As the person came in, our supervisor began the normal routine of berating us. I swallowed the pill and continued to work the rest of the taskings. Then out from nowhere, the supervisor referred to me as a very negative name in front of the whole office. I turned to look at him, and he called that name to me to my face. I could not believe what I heard, and the office was quiet. He finished by shouting, "Do I need to do your _____ job for you too!" My feelings were hurt, and my heart was hardened. I now know how Pharoh felt when he refused to let God's people go.

I looked him right in the eyes and said, "I have done what you asked and the operations section did not have the answer then and they don't have it now. And I don't need you to tell me how to do my job or even to do my job. Sir."
I went to the other side of the office building and had to really use self-control. My thoughts ran wild: "Who are you to say who I am. You have only known me for 3 weeks. I have gone above and beyond what is expected of me at work, and still have time to devote myself to serving God." One by one, people would come up to me and apologize or offer me some colorful words they would say on my behalf. But I couldn't say those words or have them say the words. That is not who I am or how I walk. I told myself not to cry or show anger in front of him. Why? He's the type to enjoy other's misery, and I refuse to allow him to steal my joy.

I went back to my cubicle and printed out the NCO Creed. I posted three copies in my cubicle for all to see. The first sentence of the first paragraph, the first sentence of the second paragraph, and the third paragraph reads as follows:

No one is more professional than I.

Competence is my watchword.

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers,... leaders!

But more importantly, I am a child of God. I am His and He is mine. He is not mine alone for I share Him with all. I need to remember to be holy for He is holy. No one can give me my salvation. Only Jesus can give me my salvation. His love is unconditional. He never disappoints me. He only loves me. He promised never to never leave me nor forsake me. As I abide in Him, He will abide in me.

So the next time someone tries to tell you what you are. Remember, who you are. Know that you are God's child and walk in God's light.