I'd been invited to the boss's house for lunch! It was Saturday. Winter sunshine streamed into the kitchen as cooking aromas filled the air. We chatted at the kitchen table. As his wife joined the conversation, pleasantries evolved into subtle suggestions. He complained about office politics. He jabbed at his supervisor. He tried to make me suspicious of others' motives. There was even a veiled threat that if I continued working on certain projects, my job security might be affected. Everything was said with a smile of comradely confidence. This was for my benefit, because he trusted me. I left full of lunch—and consternation.
As I drove home, I began to pray. "Father, what do you have to say about all this?" Where should my loyalties be? If I didn't play along, would my career stall? But these questions weren't much of a prayer.
They were swirling the information around like stirring cream and sugar in an after-dinner coffee. Nothing was getting clearer.
