Undercover Boss

'He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not'
                                                                                                    John 1:10

Ever watched that show where the owner of a company goes undercover to its different locations, working in different areas with the very people that work for him, only they don't know who he is? There he is, the big kahuna, dressed down and getting his hands dirty, doing the work of his employees and listening to them and those who benefit from their services, while quietly watching those whom he knows are in positions of leadership.

I remember one episode in particular, where the owner of a franchise refused to use the appropriate signage in his vehicle, eventually claiming they like to change things around and do it their own way. In the end, it was the company owner who made sure this person understood the importance of not only following company rules, but also honoring them because they represented the original design of its founder, so that the image and the service would be the same no matter who ran the franchise.

I guess my favorite part of the show is always the reward that comes in the end, especially because the recipients are totally not expecting it! These people do their jobs day in and day out, many of them thinking that their hard work is going unnoticed, but they have no idea they are being carefully watched. Their efforts make a huge difference where it matters most.

For these owners and CEOs going undercover gives them the best opportunity to see, up close and personal, exactly how things are really being handled by the people they have trusted to carry on what many times is a very personal affair, especially for those whose business has been in the family for generations.

And these are the thoughts that ran through my mind yesterday morning, as I was kneeling before the Lord when I woke up. There I was, thanking Him for His incredible goodness and mercy, thinking how amazing it is to know that He, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, stepped down from His throne, leaving His kingdom to make this His temporary home. There He was, the Light of this world, living among His own creation and yet unnoticed.

When I thought about that I shouted, 'God! You are the Original Undercover Boss!!' I laughed at the thought, in a good way. I laughed because I was amazed at His wisdom and how He, at that very moment, had brought that fact even closer to my human understanding. It was a hearty and happy laugh and I am certain He was laughing with me too.

The thought caused me to ponder upon His life on this earth and I went to the book of John and read from chapter one:

  "All things were made by Him...He was in the world and the world knew Him not..."

There He was, dressed down, getting His hands dirty, doing the work of a servant, quietly watching those in positions of leadership. As one whose business has literally been in the family forever, it was no wonder He would barged into the temple and turn over the tables, admonishing those who had taken advantage of their positions, looking only after their best interest.

God the Father laid down the law, His Son Jesus set the example, and His Holy Spirit always available to bring it to our remembrance. Still there are a great many out there who, much like the franchise owner who didn't follow the rules, don't think twice about changing things around and doing it their own way. And with religion, denominations and doctrines, the original design has been diluted to nothing more than preference.

In the end, however, we have the promise of a fair and honest judgment, and some to chastisement and some to reward.

"For God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" James 4:6