Wrong Standards

Wrong Standards

Teach me your decrees, O LORD; I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Psalm 119:33-34

Diane was thrilled when the well-known author and speaker, whom I’ll call Mrs. Perfect, hired her as an assistant. Her job description included arranging events and travel details, pressing Mrs. Perfect’s clothes, packing and handling her bags, fetching ice, tracking details, and taking on any other responsibilities Perfect tossed her way.

Before each platform appearance, Diane would slice a fresh lemon into thirty-two precise slices for munching or dropping into ice water. Then during the presentation, she would sit to the side, armed with a yellow pad for the to-do list Perfect would fire at her on their way back to the hotel. Diane had learned to take notes quickly; an irritated Perfect would snap instructions if she had to repeat anything.

About two months into the assignment, Perfect had screamed at Diane for not packing the backup cell phone, even though it hadn’t been needed on the trip they were finishing. Diane had apologized and even cried, promising to check her list more carefully the next time. For several days afterward, the thought I’m so stupid kept running through her head as she scurried to finish each item on her daily to-do list. Clearly, something needed to change. —SANDRA

Lord, often I have shaken my head at people who follow media celebrities. I’ve even accused them of being shallow and needing to “get a life.” But if I’m honest, I know I’ve placed ministry leaders on pedestals. I tend to think if they’ve appeared on a certain TV or radio program, spoken to thousands, or written a Christian best seller, then they must be more righteous than the rest of us. Help me to stop adoring human personalities and remember we are all sinners, saved by grace—your grace.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.

—ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809–1865), SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES