Ponderings On "Why Work?" - Number 6

But is is appropriate here to point out that man was created not

for leisure but for work, even in the state of innocence.

- Martin Luther, Lecture on Genesis 2:15

Sayers 4th Consequence of her 1st Proposition is that we should fight tooth and nail, not for mere employment, but for the quality of the work that we had to do. We should clamor to be engaged on work that was worth doing, and in which we could take a pride......The greatest insult which a commercial age has offered to the worker has been to rob him of all interest in the end-product of the work and to force him to dedicate his life to making badly things which were not worth making.

Genesis 2:15 states, "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." With that in mind, think about this statement from page 23 of the "Joy at Work Bible Study Companion"

As renewed people, we have been given

motivation and power to re-create the Garden.

This is the last of the consequences of Sayers 1st proposition that work is the thing one lives to do...the thing in which one finds spiritual, mental, and bodily satisfaction, and the medium in which he offers himself to God.

I told my friend Dave Moore this week about how much I remember Max Anders giving a sermon on evaluation and correction (some 20+ years ago). Max said that he literally sees himself turning his head and looking over his shoulder to look at how well he's lived the Gospel. I don't remember the verses he's used, but this is the essence of a good evaluation and correction system....looking back on the path you've traveled these past minutes, hours........years.

I haven't fought hard enough, definitely not tooth and nail. Hopefully, through an agenda of robust evaluation and correction, that is changing.

To that end..........

Ponderings on "Why Work?" - Number 5

A quick reminder of the 1st Proposition: work is the thing one lives to do....the thing in which one finds spiritual, mental, and bodily satisfaction, and the medium in which he offers himself to God.

The 3rd consequence of this proposition Sayers points out is - if we really believed this proposition and arranged our work and our standard of values accordingly, we should no longer think of work as something that we hastened to get through in order to enjoy our leisure; we should look on our leisure as the period of changed rhythm that refreshed us for the delightful purpose of getting on with our work..............We should all find ourselves fighting, as now only artists and the members of certain professions fight, for precious time in which to get on with the job - instead of fighting for precious hours saved from the job.


Hmmmmmmmm. (And I seem to be doing a lot of Hmmm lately) "...we should look on our leisure as the period of changed rhythm...."

As I think about my work, and how God brought me back to it, I must embrace it as His will. And, I'm finding more and more joy in it, more passion, more means of making a difference and a profit. Brother Lawrence, 17th century monastry lay member, wrote "Men invent means and methods of coming at God's love, they learn rules and set up devices to remind them of that love, and it seems like a world of trouble to bring oneself into the consciousness of God's presence. Yet it might be so simple. Is it not quicker and easier just to do our common business wholly for the love of him?"

....just to do our common business wholly for the love of him.."

I meet people that have choosen careers and every once-in-a-while someone that is in their calling. There's a big difference, even with those in vocational ministry; between picking a career and a calling. There's a big difference, but "in ministry" is THE calling of all Christian believers.

I pray that I offer myself to God through my work and it helps me find spiritual, mental, and bodily satisfaction.......after all, I spend most of my waking hours working. I pray that I focus on my calling and keep margins in place to help me stay in that rythm of my walk with Him.

To that end.......Amen.

Ponderings on "Why Work?" - Number 4

The work is not a building, place, book, system or tradition.
It's something living in our hearts and minds - if we find it.

- M. Nicoll

Keeping Sayers' 1st proposition in mind (see previous posting), the 2nd consequence she points out is "we have no clear grasp of the principle that every man should do the work for which he is fitted by nature. The employer is obsessed by the notion that he must find cheap labor, and the worker by the notion that the best-paid job is the job for him."

So I ask, can both be achieved?

Notice the author did not mention in this consequence the worker being suited for the job. Instead, she contends the worker is looking for the best-paid job, regardless of being suited well to it. Nothing from the worker or the employer about job-fit or enjoyment.

Can both be achieved? Yes, in theory, but rarely in practice. In practice, they conflict. Or seem to. (?)

What causes the conflict? Purpose? The purpose, the why, we work? Philosophers since Socrates have pondered the one thing man wants and have all concluded it to be.....joy (pleasure, fun, happiness). Thus, in this fallen world the more-than-common man and employer fail on the side of money. One typically wanting to get more, the other give less.. The pursuit of joy is usually substituted with the use of money to easy pain. Not all, but most.

Performing a job suited to one's nature, desire and/or passion normally goes out the door, until one takes or is force into a state of pondering. Something drives him to test, to evaluate and work toward the right goals...to adjust her dreams to God's will...."to do the work one is fitted by nature to do."

To that end.

Ponderings on "Why Work?" - Number 3

Biblical theology is practical to its core and it is heretical to promote, 

as theological institutions have for decades, unapplied theology.

- R. Paul Stevens

Ms. Sayers' 1st proposition: stated quite briefly, is that work is not, primarily a thing one does to live, but the thing one lives to do. It is, or it should be, the full expression of the worker's faculties, the thing in which he finds spiritual, mental, and bodily satisfaction, and the medium in which he offers himself to God.

The author then offers consequences of her point, one being the "question of profits and remuneration." Personally, her 3 paragraphs containing 350 or so words are boiled into the following...

...the mere fact that a man will put loving labor into some hobby which can never bring him any economically adequate return. His satisfaction comes, in the godlike manner, from looking upon what he has made and finding it very good. He is no longer bargaining with his work, but serving it.

I don't care who you are...and we can, and will, debate other factors concerning wages and profits, but that statement is good. Really good.. With our hobby, what we love to just DO, we are serving that work. And work is good.

Our culture has taken a turn, it always does.....take turns, and isn't just fashionable that many are on paths of "finding our passion," "finding the life we love," "exploring our emotions," etc, etc. To seek what we want to be when we grow up....no matter what our age, has become important.

"His satisfaction comes, in the godlike manner, from looking upon what he has made and finding it very good." Setting with a group of businessmen this week, my friend Dale Miller, co-owner of Austin Fine Floors, asked the question

"if you could do any job you wanted, what would it be?" 

I was very surprised that 6 of the 7 men answered "what I'm doing. The job I have."

Pondering the answers the past 3 days, and in light of Sayers 1st proposition, the follow-up question should have been

"what if you weren't paid any money, would it still be the job you wanted? If not, what job, what work, would you do"

If money was out of the picture, would I work? What work would that be?

To that end....

Ponderings on "Why Work?" - Number 2

It is always strange and painful to have to change a habit of mind..

- Dorothy Sayers

Sayers asks "what is the Christin understanding of work?" and then follows with propositions arising from her doctrinal position: work is the natural exercise and function of man - the creature who is made in the image of his Creator.

That position mostly alludes me and when I happen upon it, and really start pondering it, like now...my thoughts run from "huh? to why don't I hear more about this, to...well Smitty...it's throughout the scripture. Pay attention."

Sometimes I get that far, mostly it continues to allude me, or me it.


During the past year I've been helping out from time-to-time at HCBC's Austin Job Seekers Network. Craig Foster runs an incredible program for 100 or so white collared (mostly), career minded men and women that come through there each week. Many, or most, have had there lives turned upside down by a sudden loss of job. Others have been in a constant turmoil of job changes their entire life.

We've all personally experienced, or had close family or friends, who've been without work, savings eroded, career path halted and seeming to end. It's tough, it brings about some strange thoughts and struggles and I don't wish it on anyone. Proverbs 25:2 says The glory of God conceals matters; the glory of kings is to search matters out.

The loss of a job, career and income can cause struggles that are difficult to search out.

Yet, so can any job, at any time. Many reading this are in jobs, and struggling. Why?

Work is a tough subject, a tough task and most want to embrace, tackle or run from it based upon its enjoyment and/or monetary fruits.

I pray that I ponder, dwell, at least THINK a bit more today on work being my natural function and how I'm made in the image of God, my Creator.

To that end....

Ponderings on "Why Work?"

We might be well-served to remember the ancient Hebrew word "avodah;" the Old Testament translates it three different ways - to work, to worship and to serve.

- David W. Miller 

Why work?

In some form or fashion I assume everyone asks himself this question. While in high school (40+) years ago(!) I remember a teacher, Mr. Casper, asking the question "if you were wealthy and didn't have to work, would you?"

My answer was "absolutely!" Johnny Snead snickered and said "no way."

All these years later, I don't know what made Mr. Casper ask this question but I can only assume he wasn't just wanting to plant the subject into his students' thoughts, but was pondering the question himself. Johnny? Well, he was much closer to reality than me.

Why Work? is the title to a small book Dorothy Sayers (1893-1957) wrote in 1947. Some would say Ms. Sayers, crime writer, poet, playwright and Christian humanist, was "ahead of her time." Without debating that right now, I will give in and say her style and thoughts resonated with many during her lifetime and many theology of work writers (Doug Sherman, R. Paul Stevens, David Miller, Os Guinness, etc) since. Resonates with me too.

This is the first in at least 12 posts where I'll be pondering the subject and Ms. Sayers writings on that question....Why Work?

Why work? What's the purpose of work? Should one ever stop working? Where's the balance to working your tail off, but depending upon God?

Augustine reportedly said work like it depends upon you and pray like it depends upon God.

I say "huh?, really?, work like it depends upon me?" Is that right, or is it pray AND work like it depends on God.

To that end....let's see what Dorothy has to say about this subject of Why Work? and the path these ponderings take.

PS...thanks to the Britt Harris and The Austin Christian Business Summit for the copy of Dorothy Sayers' Why Work?

Thank You Lord

The post I did on "integrating work into faith" has been impactful. On me.

I've been studying faith at work for over 20 years and I've never turned it around. Until now.

Work at faith.

I know. It doesn't sound the same. "Work at faith." There's something not right about it. I'm reminded of Jerry Bridges book "The Discipline of Grace." When Nolan Egbert gave me the book, I was taken back by the title. Still am.

Work at faith.

The thought takes on a meaning not entirely about "integrating work into faith." Work at faith.

That, I need to do more. Working on my faith. Growing my faith. Depending more upon my faith.

Integrating more of my work into my faith.

And the discipline of grace.

How does all this live out? How does it practice? How does it look and feel in living?

God Doesn't Care Who Wins the Football Game

There's been a lot of talk about Tim Tebow and his talk about his faith in Jesus.

There's been a lot written about what it means to be called to work but I've never heard it expressed as well as when I heard my friend Nolan Egbert describe Tim Tebow's actions on a recent football field; "Tebow was putting everything he had into every play. He was giving it his all and was physically and mentally wasted at the end. He was so exhausted he could hardly breathe on the sideline."

And this is from a man (Tebow) that has emphatically said "God doesn't care who wins."

Tebow's blend of prayer and work is an important example of being called to work and let's not let the hype over him and his faith cloud that practice.

I like the way a recent Wall Street Journal article about Tebow ended.... "But win or lose, Tim Tebow will compete hard—and when he's done, he will thank God and remind all of us that it's just a game." Click here to connect to article.

Blessed be Jesus' name and I pray that I will put as much into my work as Tim does.

Work, Faith and Integration

Integrate faith into work, or integrate work into faith?


Much has been said and written about faith and work in recent years, yet, most of it seems to be about integrating our faith into our work. Googling the subject also shows numerous intro lines with...."integrate faith into work" or something to that affect.

Is that not backwards?

Aren't we supposed to be integrating our work into our faith?

On Luke 9:25...will my work today show a wasted life? Not if I'm working for His eternal glory, and I'm satisfied in that.

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.

"There is a Desperate Need for Men....." Tom Landry

"When God asks us to get involved with a venture, He charges us to do it with everything we have, with an all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We are challenged to work energetically and wholeheartedly for the Lord. I have tried to honor those goals in my career in football.

There is a desperate need for men who take such challenges seriously in business. Unfortunately, many men today do not even realize the enemy is engaging us in battle. The lines are drawn, but so many people fail to recognize the opposition's game plan. We need men who are observant men who are committed and courageous, men who will not back down when the fighting gets rough. We need men who understand biblical principles of leadership. The world is crying out for fearless heroes who evaluate the opponent's strategy, recognize the goal, focus on the objective, and commit to prevail. We need champions who know how to get others involved and keep them motivated until the end."

Tom Landry

Looking for another book this afternoon I found myself drawn to The Transparent Leader by Dwight Johnson. The above writing/quote is in Coach Landry's Forward, or Message to the Reader.

Landry's emphasis on need is real and while many would say "in times like today," we need to remember he died in February, 2000, and this was probably penned months before. But does it really matter when it was written? These words are timeless and history proves they've always been true, and always will be. Well, until Christ comes again.

Let's take seriousy the challenge God gave us when we were cast from the garden, and when Jesus laid out His many demands upon us...let's not back down because the going gets rough. God doesn't need us, but we need Him. Or at least I do and I don't need to waste the struggles He's given me.

To that end...

".......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.

When you honor God, does He bless you more?

For now we see dimily in a mirror, but in His time then face to face;

now I know in part, but then I will know him fully, as He knows me.

- 1 Cor 13:12

"When you honor God, He will bless you. That's obvious from what's happening with your business." A good friend made that well meaning statement to me a few years ago when our business was doing well and I was trying diligently to honor God. My intitial thought was along the lines of what Jesus told the rich young man about none being righteous, none just; would God really bless me just because I was practicing Christianity in my business?

It was well meaning, but wrong. For starters, I wasn't sure I was honoring God in everything. I mean..really, that's hard to do; hundreds of employees, lots of money exchanging hands and there were more than a few "opinions" even about what, when and how Christianity should even be practiced in the work place. Some said my intentions were good but nothing more than dreams. Most just nodded and gave me space. I'd read over 3,000 pages about practicing Christianity in the workplace, had taken classes that ranged from bible studies to auditing a seminary course. Yet, I wondered "do I we really know what it means to honor God?" To just try and think deeply about what it must take to "honor" God can be excruciating for the melancholy. Tony Reinke compares that depth to a vacationing Nebraskan's knowledge of the ocean; A vacationer on the shore, a shepherd on the cliff—neither can see the breadth and length and height and depth of the ocean. Nor do we yet fully comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth of God’s love for us shown in the gospel (Ephesians 3:18–19). Like a wide-eyed shepherd looking out from a window seat on a clear day from 40,000 feet over the ocean, one day we will more fully comprehend the dimensions (1 John 3:2).

Does God bless us when we honor Him? The business owner with increased wealth, or the healthy family, is tempted to think so. But what about the owner who has devoted her life and business to honoring God, sought Christian counsel in setting company policies. Yet, she's lost that business? Or the family that prays and seeks Christ's ways and has lost a child or parent way too early?

Is one more blessed than the other?

No. Maybe..from our earthly view of blessings. But Heavenly? Left to our own, we reap what we sow and the one who sows from the flesh will reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life (Galatians 6:7-8). Left to our own....we will sow from the flesh.  But through Christ we can sow from the spirit and reap eternal life.

We don't begin to comprehend God's plan for us.

Doug Sherman, in his new book "More than Ordinary'" writes "what would it be like to live fully confident that He will never waiver in his devotion to me, never stop being loyal to me, or never fail to do what is perfect for me?"

....never fail to do what is perfect for me.
....never fail to do what is perfect for me.

For years I've heard John Piper say, "God is most glorified, when I'm most satisfied in Him." and for years I just didn't get-it. It took problems that brought me to my knees, problems that made living one-day-at-a-time way too long...not challenges, but problems....for me to understand.

God is most glorified, when I'm most satisfied in Him....and he will never waiver in his devotion to me, never stop being loyal to me, or never fail to do what is perfect for me.

Thank you Lord that Your grace is sufficient, you will never fail to do what is perfect for me and I pray that I remain satisfied in you.

Amen

Talking Straight

The following is from a posting at Speed of Trust: In God's Eyes and was a huge part of a problem I walked a client through recently. Forutunately, this client was seeking not just my guidance but also God's.

What Talking Straight is (see this link and learn a bit more about the behavior Covey explains and how I'm comparing it to scripture) -


•Tellling the truth and leave the right impression
•Being honest
•Letin g people know where you stand
•Not manipulating people or distort facts
•Not spinning the truth
•Not leaving false impressions

What Talking Straight is not -

•Beating around the bush
•Spinning the truth
•Being technical and leave a false impression
•Double-talking
•Withholding information

Scripture

•Colossains 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.

•Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue

Positive Profile

1 Samuel 10:3 – 12:25; While Samuel wasn’t “King,” he was the King of Communication. Samuel….

a. spoke words of revelation (back in 7:3)
b. spoke words of inspiration (10:3-6)
c. spoke words of exhortation (10:24)
d. spoke words of affirmation (10:24)
e. spoke words of information (10L25)
f. spoke words of declaration (12:20-25)

Samuel kept his message simple, knew his audience, lived what he preached and looked for a response from the people by urging them to obey God.


Negative Profile

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-6; communication was one of many ways that Adam failed by…

a. ignoring some details in the message he was supposed to communicate
b. allowed himself to be influenced more by Eve than God
c. failing to remember, or ignoring, the consequences of disobeying God
d. not taking responsibility for his communication failure

In this example the king’s hunger for power, unreasonable demands, poor decision and unwillingness to listen ultimately led to his destruction.

Listening and hearing are two separate things. While we all hear as it’s a function of our ears, listening is a willingness, even a response to hearing.

Application Points-to-Ponder

- you may be a good speaker, but are you a good communicator?
- do you pay close attention to what God is telling you?
- regardless of your temperament, skill or gifts, do you give appropriate attention to detail?
- as a leader and a follower are you clear about the message your speaking and hearing?

To that end...talk straight in such a way that you are satisfied with God's plan for your words.