How do you walk with Christ daily?

That was the question my buddy asked me during our commute to work yesterday morning. I didn't realize it then, but it was a question that would carry me through the rest of the day.

My answer was a simple, "Shoot, I don't know."

We continued to discuss it as we went our separate ways to work. We finally decided, as hard as it might be, that to walk with Christ daily you should keep Christ and His ways in the front of your mind all day. If the GC comes at you and is hollering about something you have no control over, having Christ in the front of your mind may keep the blood from boiling over. The only thing I know for sure is that it's hard and it takes continual practice and commitment.

After I had completed the safety meetings my Gen Supt called me into the office, the Ops Manager was there also. The words spoken were simple and politically correct. "Mark, it's come time that Mark Topping and Walker Engineering part ways." (How do you walk with Christ daily?)

What do you say? "It's not fair!!"......"It's not my fault!!"......"Why me?"....."What about him or them?" (How do you walk with Christ daily?)

I said,"OK."

I went to my office and started packing. With the Gen Supt looking over my shoulder to make sure I didn't take anything that didn't belong to me. (How do you walk with Christ daily?) It's amazing how unimportant things get when you just want to get out.

As I drove away from a 21 year job it wasn't resentful thoughts or 'what if' thoughts going through my head, but more like I couldn't believe it was over. Even though many of us knew something was going to happen and I was a prime candidate for DTR Electric there is still the thought of disbelief. (How do you walk with Christ daily?)

I called my wife on the way home and broke the news to her. That was probably the hardest thing in the world for me, even though I know I can go get a good job any time, there is still that thing poking and prodding a my pride. That little gnawing at my side that says I'm less of a man because I lost my job. (How do you walk with Christ daily?)

The news spread through my small sphere like wild fire. The standard questions were, "What are you going to do now?" and "Are you going to the other company now?". I just want to figure out "How do you walk with Christ daily?".

I have to tell you the truth here. There is a big since of relief in all of this. Knowing something is going to happen, but not knowing when or to who, is extremely stressful. Especially when you are trying to run two jobs.

Later on my wife was mentioning to me how relaxed I seemed to be about it all and was wondering why I wasn't mad or upset about it all. I asked her the question that had been on my mind all day, "How do you walk with Christ daily?". That question was the thing that helped me through it all (thanks, buddy).

The good news in all of this is that new doors are opening and opportunities are plentiful. Have you ever noticed that when things are good the "How do you walk with Christ daily?"thing is a whole lot easier.

Lord, help me to make the right decisions in the things to come and continue to teach me "How do you walk with Christ daily?".