Office Politics and Peacemaking
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” -Matthew 5:9
Recently I had a chance to share about living out our faith well at work and beyond at my local church’s young professionals group. Here’s a piece of that talk that focuses on handling our challenging relationships with diplomacy and discernment.
Office Politics
Some of you are likely aware that my primary occupation is that of a high school teacher. I have the honor of teaching government and psychology and this year economics to mostly juniors and seniors. Now, when you get into teaching, and I would imagine it is the same for many careers, there is a lot of talk about avoiding office politics. I remember me and others in my credential classes boldly declaring how we were going to avoid the negative teachers and the politics of the job by eating lunch in our rooms and dodging the teachers’ lounge. And after 20 years of teaching I am here to tell you - avoiding office politics at work is not possible. And if we are honest, being a part of a community, or a group of believers or an extended family involves politics too.
So what does that mean? How are we as ambassadors of Christ’s kingdom supposed to handle the ins and outs of challenging relationships and political maneuvering and still represent Jesus well? I think we can find inspiration from the account of Abigail found in 1 Samuel 25.
We are told that Abigail is an intelligent and beautiful woman married to Nabal, a man who is known for being surly and mean. David, who at the time is on the run from Saul, has been living in the area where Nabal’s flocks were grazing in the wilderness. While there, David and his men keep an eye out for Nabal’s sheep and make sure they are well protected. Eventually, its shearing time and Nabal’s flocks are rounded up and brought back to Nabal’s estate. David sends a message to Nabal to ask if he can spare some food and drink for him and his men. Nabal says, “no way dude” and attacks David’s integrity and loyalty before sending David’s messengers away. A servant runs and tells Abigail of Nabal’s insult and without hesitation she loads up a ton of food on a bunch of donkeys and heads out to the wilderness to find David and his men. When she does, she bows down and apologizes for Nabal’s behavior, taking the blame upon herself. David, who is well aware that this is not her fault, praises her for her good judgment. Her decisive actions more than made up for her husband’s poor behavior and kept David from acting rashly and going after Nabal for his slight.
So, what can we learn from Abigail about playing office politics in a way that is God-honoring?
First, be quick to apologize. - Abigail said it was her fault. EVERYONE involved knew that it wasn’t. But her willingness to say I’m sorry on behalf of someone else made all the difference in the world. There is great power in deflating a conflict with a well-timed apology and often it does not matter who the apology is coming from. This does not mean you need to go around claiming responsibility for everyone’s mistakes, missteps or misdeeds. However, used with discernment this is one strategy that can help you be the peacemaker Christ called us to be in the workplace and beyond.
Second, do the right thing even when your boss and those around you do not. You don't have to make a big show of it but do whatever you can within your power to correct wrong. Nabal was out of line. Abigail knew it. And she made a quick decision to make it right as far as it was in her power. When the opportunity arises to make things right, take it. Correcting injustice is a powerful way to demonstrate the love of Christ that is supposed to be the calling-card or people of faith.
There's a lot that Abigail can teach us about navigating difficult circumstances. And while these guidelines were laid out with our job in mind, pretty much any club, church, family or group of people will have conflict where Abigail’s example will apply.
Where is God calling you to navigate challenging relationships with more discernment and diplomacy like Abigail? How can you love others with the power of an apology or the reconciliation of restitution?
