Promotion

I was in student ministry for 20 years and I had some opportunities come my way that might have been perceived as a promotion.  There are some promotions that give you a title and a “bump” in pay. There other promotions that give you more responsibilities with no increase in pay. In student ministry, the promotion usually meant to relocate to another church for more pay and a bigger ministry or taking on a new position as an associate pastor or lead pastor. I didn’t feel called to any of those positions. I loved serving where the Lord had led me.  I left the full-time ministry back in 2003 to begin a career in real estate. I couldn’t leave Carroll County, Georgia or I would likely give up legal custody of my children. I just didn’t feel called to give that up. I always said that my children were my first youth group priority.  I would definitely NOT call going into real estate a promotion. It was a new direction for me for sure. I have since learned how to serve people and make this complicated transition as smooth as possible. I am thankful to have continued learning and growing where I now serve in the position of Broker alongside a fantastic group of agents.  There are days that is a ton of fun and there are days that it’s stressful and hard.  I want to keep growing and working at getting hired to work for more and more people helping them buy or sell real estate.

As I journeyed through Esther this morning, I picked up where Haman had been outed by Esther and his plan to destroy the Jewish people. Haman was killed the way he had intended to kill Mordecai, Esther’s uncle.  The king immediately promoted Mordecai and honored him with the kings robe and the kings signet ring. This promotion felt like it was really quick, and it was pretty drastic. I think Mordecai’s consistent faithful checking on Esther at the kings gate over the years has served him well. Check this out….

¹On that same day King Xerxes gave the property of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther. Then Mordecai was brought before the king, for Esther had told the king how they were related. ² The king took off his signet ring—which he had taken back from Haman—and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai to be in charge of Haman’s property.

⁷ Then King Xerxes said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “I have given Esther the property of Haman, and he has been impaled on a pole because he tried to destroy the Jews. ⁸ Now go ahead and send a message to the Jews in the king’s name, telling them whatever you want, and seal it with the king’s signet ring. But remember that whatever has already been written in the king’s name and sealed with his signet ring can never be revoked.”

¹¹ The king’s decree gave the Jews in every city authority to unite to defend their lives. They were allowed to kill, slaughter, and annihilate anyone of any nationality or province who might attack them or their children and wives, and to take the property of their enemies. (Esther 8:1-2,7-8,11 NLT)

This promotion of Mordecai was pivotal in the saving of a nation. Esther showed great courage and character in this situation. While she was queen, her position was a bit fragile with the king who could condemn her at any time. She and Mordecai used the opportunity to help their people defend themselves and not be on the offensive, but more of a defensive posture.

I don’t think Mordecai was looking for a promotion, he was simply trying to save his people from slaughter. Sometimes, the best promotions are when a person is passionate about a cause instead of simply looking for a different J-O-B.

As I seek to daily serve others in the area of Real Estate, I can also simply help them along the way of life. There have been times in my real estate career that I thought buying a home or selling a home might be a mistake and I said that. I’m seeking clients for life. And I appreciate my clients who promote me others.  I’m working for promotion every day that I serve others. Ing the Lord’s economy, promotions come when we lay down our pride and serve consistently.

Pressing On!

Dwayne