Rising to our level of incompetence
In 1968, Canadian educational scholar and sociologist Dr. Laurence J. Peter came up with a theory called the Peter Principle. Someone can be well-qualified and highly skilled at one level in a company, and as a result, will be given a promotion because he or she does such a good job. But then the Peter Principle kicks in, and they find they have risen to their level of incompetence. I saw this when I worked for five years in the corporate world and experienced it myself when I was promoted to a managerial position and felt like I wasn’t prepared or qualified.
At times, in some of my current roles, I still wonder if I’ve reached my level of incompetence, but then I remember the words of Haddon W. Robinson in his book, Biblical Preaching. He was, of course, talking about preachers but what he said can and does apply to anyone in any position or role in life: ‘Yet in the final analysis there are no great preachers. There’s only a great Christ who does startling things when we place ourselves and our preaching in his hands.’
In Christ, we don’t have to worry about rising to our level of incompetence. We have a great Christ. ‘His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.’ (2 Peter 1:3 NIV). And 2 Corinthians 12:9 tells us we have his grace, which is sufficient for us in every situation. Perhaps it’s a good thing to come to the realisation that we aren’t as competent as we sometimes think we are. When we do, we will give everything to our great Christ and rest in his all-sufficient grace.
Study by Tammy Tkach
First published on 9 July 2024, at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com a personal blog which is not sponsored by Grace Communion International.
Tammy Tkach is the Assistant Pastor of the Eugene, Oregon, USA, Grace Communion International congregation. She is a speaker and writer, and publishes a blog at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
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