PIP
“The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.” - 1 Corinthians 15:46
Years ago, I was out one day and overheard a conversation between a husband and wife that I found quite interesting.
The wife said, “Honey, I know you’ve been busy with work, but there are a few things that I need you to address in our marriage. I’d like you to make more time for me and the kids and work on your anger. You’ve been on edge quite a bit lately. And I really need you to fix some of these things around the house that are broken: the cabinet in the kitchen, the light in the hallway, and the mirror in our daughter’s room.”
The husband listened and after a few minutes he said, “Dang baby, I feel like I’m on a PIP!” They laughed and proceeded to discuss certain things she felt her husband was slacking on and that she wanted him to give attention to.
And it ended with the husband saying, “Honey, I plan to do better.” When I went home, I had to look up the word “PIP” because at the time I wasn’t familiar with it. And when I asked around, I learned that PIP wasn’t a word, it was an acronym. It stands for “Performance Improvement Plan.”
It is a strategy used by employers to encourage employees who are underperforming with the hope that they can turn things around. A PIP is an action plan, and the goal is not to punish, to discipline, or to dismiss. The goal is to give someone an opportunity to succeed.
PIPs aren’t just for the office. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:46, “The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.”
God uses this same concept, not for our embarrassment or discipline, but for our success. Sometimes God will bring something to our attention because He knows we need to address it. Are there things in your life God has revealed that you need to improve upon? What plan do you have in place to improve?
Do not ignore what God brings to your attention. He isn’t doing so in anger but in love. He wants you to succeed!
Years ago, I was out one day and overheard a conversation between a husband and wife that I found quite interesting.
The wife said, “Honey, I know you’ve been busy with work, but there are a few things that I need you to address in our marriage. I’d like you to make more time for me and the kids and work on your anger. You’ve been on edge quite a bit lately. And I really need you to fix some of these things around the house that are broken: the cabinet in the kitchen, the light in the hallway, and the mirror in our daughter’s room.”
The husband listened and after a few minutes he said, “Dang baby, I feel like I’m on a PIP!” They laughed and proceeded to discuss certain things she felt her husband was slacking on and that she wanted him to give attention to.
And it ended with the husband saying, “Honey, I plan to do better.” When I went home, I had to look up the word “PIP” because at the time I wasn’t familiar with it. And when I asked around, I learned that PIP wasn’t a word, it was an acronym. It stands for “Performance Improvement Plan.”
It is a strategy used by employers to encourage employees who are underperforming with the hope that they can turn things around. A PIP is an action plan, and the goal is not to punish, to discipline, or to dismiss. The goal is to give someone an opportunity to succeed.
PIPs aren’t just for the office. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:46, “The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.”
God uses this same concept, not for our embarrassment or discipline, but for our success. Sometimes God will bring something to our attention because He knows we need to address it. Are there things in your life God has revealed that you need to improve upon? What plan do you have in place to improve?
Do not ignore what God brings to your attention. He isn’t doing so in anger but in love. He wants you to succeed!
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