We spend tremendous energy trying to determine fairness. Everything from ensuring that your siblings got exactly the same sized piece of cake to adults worrying about who got a longer lunch break. As leaders, we are admonished to treat all of our employees fairly. Often that means sinking our treatment down to the lowest level that could be considered exactly and mathematically equal… the same in every respect. In so doing, we treat our valuable colleagues to a cookie cutter type of leadership that may only fit one out of ten of them!
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” -George Orwell, Animal Farm.
How does that quote resonate with you? Starts well, but turns a little cynical? Maybe it has nothing to do with what I’m trying to express. Maybe I’m sharing that we are more effective as leaders, and maybe as parents, if we don’t push for exacting equality in how we treat our staff members or our children. Does that make you nervous?
Did you know that some angels have more face time with God the Father than others? Try this text on for size:
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
Matthew 18:10, NIV.
Hmmm. Always. Maybe you think I’m reading too much into this text. Could be. Before you jump to that conclusion, check the context of this verse. It reeks of, not uniform, but unique treatment of those who need things from us.
I have messages to two groups of you this morning:
If you are a leader [or a parent], those who depend on you deserve more than equal treatment. They need equal consideration of their needs. This frees us to spend twice as much time affirming a young and struggling colleague or investing extra energy to refocus an experienced but disillusioned one.
If you are a young person, whether you are eight, or eighteen, or maybe even 23, you are still forming your view of the world. Maybe God has a central place in your life already. Maybe you are still struggling to find that place. Either way, when your angel… or your prayer goes to the Father, they go to the head of the line! You, in particular, are oh, so precious in His eyes.
Even if you don’t have a place for Him in your life right now, know that you have a place in your heavenly Father’s heart, on His agenda, in His day. He wants to make the connection of a lifetime with you while your life is still beginning. If your relationship with Him is puzzling, unclear, or seemingly nonexistent, know that you totally have an inside track with Him. You are on His mind and in His sight every day, not because He is watching to catch your every mistake, but because He is your biggest Fan!