Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Manger Managers and Management

UV 2136/10000 Manger Managers and Manger Management
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2 v 7

If the innkeeper really knew who this baby was, he would have given his own room to Mary and Joseph. The world is often like the innkeeper- too obsessed with the affairs of life, the opportunities, the problems, the activities, the pleasures, possessions to make space for the Lord and Messiah. The extraordinariness of the birth of the God child who had been prophesied by many and chiefly by the Messianic prophet Isaiah was surrounded or camouflaged by the ordinariness of the physical circumstances. God chose that His only begotten son be born in a humble family and in humble circumstances. He went right to the bottom of the pile or the bottom of the social pyramid to make an entrance into the world and the history of humanity. He was opening a new style of leadership and management – manger management. Our titles, our labels, our ranks, our badges of honour, our qualifications, our possessions do not define the manger manager but to obey the Highest in meeting the need of the greatest number of people whom we are called to serve. A manger manager or leader does what is possible while expecting the Lord to do the impossible. He realizes that he is only an agent or instrument, a part of a larger and glorious plan of a great creator.

A “manger manager” or leader is one who stays humble and gives top priority to the will of our Father God. All the three persons in the manger were people who obeyed the Lord- Mary who rejoiced in being a handmaiden to bear the Messiah sent by the Lord, Joseph who acquiesced in the will of God setting aside his own sense of propriety as well as fears and inhibitions to play the role of a foster father to the Child from God. Finally, Jesus who though part of the Almighty God, Everlasting Father and Wonderful Counsellor, though He is the image in which man is created, accepted willingly and joyfully the Father’s decision to send him to a small space on one of the humblest planets Earth. A manger manager follows the example of these three of the holy family in making the obedience to the will of the Lord his or her chief pleasure and duty.

A “manger manager” gives priority to the word of God and spends time reflecting on it. He tries to blend it into all his activities and pursuits. He draws wisdom and inspiration daily from it. A manger manager is not defeated by rejection or by difficulties or by lack of physical comforts. His faith enables him to rise above every circumstance, fixing his eye on the ultimate vision of fulfilling God’s will and executing His plan on earth. A manger manager lives in harmony with all God’s creatures and with nature. A manger manager is contented if his basic needs are met. He is realistic and stays close to the ground reality even as he has his eye fixed on heaven. A manger manager makes the best of the worst circumstances, never grumbles about his lot but does his best to remain comfortable in the prevailing circumstances, while hoping and working for the best. Towards this end, a manger manager is creative and innovative.

Prateep V Philip

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