What Matters?

I spoke to a group of business peolple this week about.....well, my intent was to talk about how they view their work but I'm not sure that is what came across.

I asked the questions -

Why do you go to work? Do you see your work as part of your ministry?

How do people use their work as ministry? When you think about your purpose of work, and its impact on ministry, how does that play out?

As it pertains to ministry, studies tell us that most people feel they go to work to -

A. Earn money to give to the church or ministries,
B. Witness to co-workers, and/or
C. Have a Bible study
D. Provide for family and ourselves

That's all right on, but there is another very Biblical reason to work; the work itself.

This "the work itself" being part of big picture was met with some blank looks.

It's interesting that the "provide for our family and ourselves" is also met with uneasy eyes, but for now..my point being is....God made the heavens, light, the earth, creatures and mankind. Then He gave man and woman the command to work and that has never stopped. He created and we are to take that creation and do something with it.

The 1st record of God instilling the Holy Spirit into someone was Bezalel for the work on the temple.

What a calling God Gave Bezalel. What a calling He has given you and I! A Calling to work.

No matter what one's job. No matter what your career path. No matter if you are calling someone, mixing ingredients for a cake, compiling spreadsheets, in training to defend our country, giving speeches, studying for an exam, selling houses, heading up a Fortune 500 board, or sacking groceries...every part of of every job is doing something with God's creation and impactful to your calling.

He has commanded us. We're called to obey.

God and work matters. Your work has intrinsic value. Your work really really matters at levels most of us can't even fathom.

To that end, be purposeful, be mindful.

".......Enjoying Life with God" by Doug Sherman

I assume we all have regrets; some minor...others about things that could have been life changers. My good friends Thomas Vetters and Bryan Anderson asked me a few months ago to go to a Bible study. This study was led by Doug Sherman and the study was focused around his new book.

Now, I'm sure they both thought I would have been all over this study because I'd read Doug's other books. His Your Work Matters to God is an incredible read and study that I've talked and written about in this blog and other venues for years.

Yet, I let "things" get in my way.

Thomas presented me with "More than Ordinary; Enjoying Life with God" as a gift recently. As I began reading it that night I expected to finish within 2 or 3 days. The depth and life applications Sherman presented in his story caused me to slow down and get a pen out. I finished a different journey than what I'd began.

It's been a week since I finished and wanted to wait before writing about what I read. I wanted to see if I thought much, or any, about Doug's writing. Ha! It has been hard not picking the book back up and tilling the pages some more.

In "More that Ordinary...." Sherman lays out an important read derived from experience and not opinion, nor theory. I've always enjoyed how Doug brings his experiences into his writing and talks. It is especially good when an author credits and talks about his own reads and you know he knows other writers have had an impact on his life.

While I don't agree with Buford that this is Doug's best (sorry Bob), I do agree with him that this is an important book (very important). I also agree (with Nuenke) that it is good to be reminded that God is always moving toward us and Peterson's comment that Doug's insights are challenging me to examine my walk with the Lord against the truth of God's Word.

Great read, great experience, a book I expect to stay in my re-read and ponder stack for a long time. Thank you Lord for men like Doug that aren't ashamed to tell us about their experiences with you (struggles and failures as well as triumphs); trust in God, step, trust in God, step. Sometimes one-day-at-a-time is too long.

Thanks Doug for this book.

As to the regret for not attending the study? Yes, but I need this now and the way in which it has come about is all good.

Thanks for this path Lord.


To that end.....make it a great day, make tomorrow greater.