Jesus, the CEO (Phillippians 2:10-11)

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Ron Whaley is the CEO/President of CCF Brands. I've known Ron for many years and he consistently encourages and helps those around him in any way he can. He is a servant leader. I might argue that the servant leader is the most effective leader of all. We just haven't been exposed to many of them! Ron and I were having lunch a while back and we were talking about the success of CCF Brands. Before I could even enter the arena of what a great job Ron had done in leading this company to what it is today, he stopped me and declared that "Jesus is the CEO of our company." So what did he mean by that? Does Jesus actually sit in on the meetings at CCF? Does Ron have some sort of special connection that the rest of us don't have? No, that's not what he means at all.

He means that the principles that Christ so clearly illustrated in his life and ministry are the guiding principles of CCF. What might some of those be? Humility. I just received an email today from Ron that goes out to the CCF employees. Three of the six challenges for the company mentioned the idea of humility; the idea of serving with humility other employees and customers. I would guess the suggestion of being humble is rare in the corporate world. Several years ago, an executive of a large company died of a sudden heart attack. His co-workers and family were stunned. In going through the items on his person, a friend found the following statement written on a crumpled piece of paper, "humility is the final achievement." What a true statement. It is even backed up by scripture: "...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)

Another principle is Integrity. I have heard Ron say on several occasions, "We are going to do what is right, regardless..." In doing what is right, he believes fiercely that God will bless accordingly. Integrity and character are the things for which all of us want to be remembered. I've done funerals for people whose integrity and character were lacking and it's a difficult task to celebrate the life of an individual who consistently made bad choices. But for those who make good choices, who are intent on doing what is right, regardless... there is always a multitude of people willing to stand up and honor them for a life well lived.

I ran across this story recently that speaks volumes on integrity.

Some time ago, an article in National Racquetball Magazine told the story of Reuben Gonzales, who was in the final match of a professional racquetball tournament. It was Gonzales made a super "kill" shot into the front wall to win it all. The referee called it good. One of the two linesmen affirmed that the shot was in. But Gonzales, after a moment's hesitation, turned around, shook his opponent's hand, and declared that his shot had "skipped" into the wall, hitting the court floor first. As a result, he lost the match, and walked off the court. Everybody was stunned. The next issue of National Racquetball Magazine displayed Reuben Gonzales on its front cover. The story searched for an explanation of this first-ever occurrence on the professional racquetball circuit. Who could ever imagine it in any sport or endeavor? A player, with everything officially in his favor, with victory in his hand, disqualified himself at match point and lost! When asked why he did it, Reuben said, "It was the only thing I could do to maintain my integrity." (Denis Waitley - Being the Best)

We could all learn a lesson from Rueben Gonzales. Integrity is more important than winning or making money or anything we can imagine. If getting the upper hand in any situation means that my integrity and character will be sacrificed, then take the lower hand. Trust God to bless good choices, right thinking and living.

Another idea that Ron presented to the employees of CCF was Passion. We should be motivated and passionate about the work God has set before us. Jesus was passionate for the world to the extent that he gave his life so that we might have abundant life (John 10:10). We only get one shot at life; one opportunity to prepare for eternity. Why in the world would we not live it to the best of our ability? Ephesians 6:7 reminds us, "serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men." The idea of service in this passage covers all of life. We are to serve others in humility and integrity. Whether it is in the home or the workplace, we are never more like God than when we serve others.

So what about you? Is Jesus your CEO? Do you strive to live in such a way as to honor the principles he lived by and established in his word? It is hard to go wrong with the Saviour. After many years of experience, Ron Whaley will tell you that Jesus is the CEO of the company he serves and the life he has been given. If you ask him, he'll tell you there is no other way to go.

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