Faith, A Miracle, and A Ladder

What do we need to succeed at work? What do we need to survive in our communities? What do we need to make our families strong?

Would faith, a miracle, or a ladder help to solve the problems that plague everyday life?  Hebrew 11:1 defines faith as  confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. A miracle is defined as a highly improbable or extraordinary event, development, or accomplishment; is considered to be divine.  A ladder is a structure consisting of a series of bars or steps between two lengths of wood or metal, used for climbing up or down something.  A series of ascending stages by which someone or something may advance or progress.


I have consistently benefited when I rely on all three to succeed in life.  Here is how I have used faith, a miracle and a ladder in the past and continue to do so today.  


Faith is my confidence that God will answer my prayers and give me what I need when I need it most.  While faith does not guarantee a specific conclusion, it provides strength to handle disappointment, and humility to handle success.  Add faith to the miracle that takes place to get us the interview, job, promotion, salary increase, necessary votes for public office, acceptance into the college of our choice, scholarship dollars, apartment, house, husband, baby, or recovery from illnesses.  God provides a miracle everyday for the faithful.  Matthew 19:26 reminds us that "with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  The ladder is symbolic and literal.  We have the option to pull ourselves up and away from the challenges and obstacles that might prevent us from achieving our personal best.   Expect to exert effort before experiencing career success, community influence, and family commitment.  The ladder is our leverage point as we go up and down on our journey to avoid the pitfalls of doubt, entitlement, cockiness, self-pity, fear, poverty, and bias.


As a corporate executive, I have used faith to put me in a position to get my work on the radar of decision makers.  The merit of my work created a series of opportunities which led to a track record of success.  This track record was the basis for promotions and salary increases.  I was fortunate in business but plagued with miscarriages in my personal life.  A miracle took place to give me a child and then another child.   I believe in God and miracles.  Today, I have my children and my family is complete.  The ladder has been the route for upward mobility, lateral moves, and a step back in my career.  The ladder has given me  a perspective, an advantage, and an arial view to appreciate others but avoid problems.  


Find your faith, believe in a miracle, and pull up on your ladder to meet the challenges put in front of you.