The Word Before Work

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Five Mere ChristiansDevotional: 5 of 5[Jesus said,] remain in my love...I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (John 15:9, 11)The search for joy was the dominant theme of C.S. Lewis's life. And he sought it apart from Christ in all the usual (and some unusual) places: alcohol abuse, an alleged affair with his dead best friend's mom, and perhaps most relatably his career.In 1925, after years of professional disappointments, Lewis landed his dream job as Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Magdalen College in Oxford. In an induction ceremony that had all the pomp and circumstance a 467-year-old college can muster, Lewis knelt before the president of Magdalen College, who dramatically met his gaze and declared, “I wish you joy.” Lewis then rose and proceeded around the room, stopping in front of each new colleague who echoed the refrain: “I wish you joy,” “I wish you joy,” “I wish you joy.”I guarantee you that in that moment, C.S. Lewis believed he had finally found joy in the ultimate. He had achieved his vocational dream! But by God's grace, Lewis came to learn what every successful professional inevitably does: that without Christ, even a dream job will eventually turn into a nightmare. It is only by remaining in Christ's love that “your joy may be complete” (see John 15:11). Here's how Lewis himself said it years later: “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”Is it wrong to find joy in our work? Absolutely not! God created us to love our jobs (see Genesis 1:26-28 and Ecclesiastes 2:24). But Lewis's story and today's passage remind us that we mere Christians glorify God by finding our ultimate joy in Christ and not our work.Is your mood perfectly correlated to whether you're winning at work? Do you spend less time with the Lord when things aren't going your way? Are you unable to enjoy God's gift of rest from your work? Take it from someone with loads of experience in this area: If you answered yes to any of those questions, you're probably looking to your work to provide you with the ultimate joy that can be found only in Christ.If that's you, let me encourage you to do three things right now: Confess your idolatry to God and other believers Meditate on the gospel Ask the Lord for his power to enjoy the good gift of work without turning it into an idolatrous ultimate goodIn doing this, you will be glorifying God as you work today!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Five Mere ChristiansDevotional: 4 of 5Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. (Matthew 13:34)Jesus revealed God's kingdom primarily through culture rather than politics. He never sought a seat on the Sanhedrin or in the Roman Senate. Instead, he changed the world with parables—tiny tales that stirred hearts to long for God's kingdom.Yet despite Jesus's example, many Christians put far more faith in political solutions than cultural ones to fix the world's problems today. We believe electing the “right people” and appointing the “right judges” will finally bring God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.This mindset explains why William Wilberforce, a member of the British Parliament in the 18th century, gets the lion's share of the credit for abolishing the slave trade—even though historians and Wilberforce himself gave equal credit to Hannah More, a poet, playwright, and novelist who outsold her contemporary Jane Austen ten-to-one. Eric Metaxas, a biographer of both Wilberforce and More, says, “How Wilberforce came to be the chief champion of abolition...has everything to do with Hannah More.” While Wilberforce worked to change politicians' minds, More worked to change the people's hearts through art that exposed slavery's horrors.Jesus's parables and Hannah More's poetry point to an important truth: We mere Christians glorify God by advancing his kingdom culturally and not just politically.What might this mean for you today? Consider abortion as a case study. Murder has no place in the kingdom of God. And so it is right to ask the question, “What is the political response to this problem?” But the far more powerful question is, “What is my creative response to this problem?” If you're an artist like Hannah More, your response might be to write stories and songs that break people's hearts toward orphans and birth parents. If you're a business leader, it could be creating generous maternity and paternity policies or funding adoptions for employees. If you work in a café, it might mean setting up a board with resources for pregnancy centers.Here's my point: Please don't wait for politicians to reveal God's kingdom—be the creator who makes it visible today. Whatever the issue is—abortion, racial injustice, gender transitioning, pollution, etc.— glorify God not just by working to change things politically but first and foremost culturally. Because as Andy Crouch said, “The only way to change culture is to create more of it.”

Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm, to water a land where no one lives, an uninhabited desert (Job 38:25-26)Most people didn't view the Great Depression as the best time to launch a toy company. But that's exactly when LEGO, the most successful toy brand of all time, was born.The company's founder, a devout Christian aptly named Ole Kirk Christiansen, had spent years building a traditional carpentry business. But by the early 1930s, business was slumping while his debts were soaring. So he pivoted to making toys like yo-yos, toy cars, and eventually LEGO bricks.And everyone told him he was out of his mind.“I think you're much too good for that, Christiansen,” one friend said. “Why don't you find something more useful to do!” The world was in crisis after all. People needed food, not toys. But Christiansen disagreed. In his own playful life and the life of the business he created to help others play well, Christiansen demonstrated a deep understanding of this truth: We mere Christians can glorify God by embracing fun, beauty, play, and “useless” work because our heavenly Father does the same.That's what we see in today's passage. God says that he sends “torrents of rain...to water a land where no one lives.” Why would God make it rain in an uninhabited desert? Apparently just for the fun of it!Commenting on this verse, theologian Dr. R. Paul Stevens says that God's playful nature should produce in his people a “freedom from the tyranny of utility.” In other words, godly play—not just productivity—pleases God.I'll be the first to admit that I am glacially slow to learning this. But by God's grace I am coming to see that play is productive for my soul and my goals. As Dr. Stuart Brown says, “In the long run, work does not work without play.”If you, like me, are not used to playing, let me encourage you to adopt this practice I recently found very helpful: Take stock of your play history. Ask yourself what you did as a kid or as an adult that felt like play. Based on my study of the work of Dr. Brown and others, I define play as any activity that has these 5 characteristics:I would say I “get” to do it rather than “have” to do itI lose track of time while I'm doing itI can't wait to do it againI can't stop talking about it with othersI have no deadline to complete the activityOnce you've made a list of things that have historically felt like play, schedule 30-90 minutes this week to engage in one of those activities knowing that you, like LEGO's founder, can glorify God as you do!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Five Mere ChristiansDevotional: 2 of 5Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. (Luke 6:27)Fannie Lou Hamer had just given birth, but the only cry in the room was her own. Twice now, she had watched her body grow along with her hope, only for her labor pains to usher in death rather than life. And then there were the miscarriages—losses that came so early she never even felt the joy of kicks in her womb.Those losses—coupled with her extreme poverty and slave-like work as a sharecropper in Mississippi in the early 1900s—ensured that Hamer moved through her days in a fog. Until a doctor gave her hope: With surgery, the doctor assured her, all of her infertility problems could go away. Hamer eagerly signed off on the procedure. But after the surgery, Hamer discovered the unthinkable: The doctor had removed her uterus in a complete hysterectomy done without her knowledge or consent. Hamer's dreams of having her own children were now utterly and truly dead.Believe it or not, this was arguably not the most tragic thing to happen to Fannie Lou Hamer who would go on to become one of the most significant civil rights activists in the 20th century, largely responsible for giving African Americans the right to vote. But here's what's remarkable: Whether it was the surgeon, the police who beat her in prison, or the politicians who threatened her life, Hamer is never recorded as speaking a single word of hate against her perpetrators. One time when U.S. Senator Hubert Humphrey proposed an egregiously unjust compromise, Hamer replied, “Senator Humphrey, I'm gonna pray to Jesus for you.” And then she walked out the door as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. followed behind her.Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” Hamer shows us an example of what that looks like and reminds us that we mere Christians glorify God by doing justice without hating the unjust.The world often tells us that doing justice requires that we also publicly shame and “cancel” the unjust. But God calls his people to a different way (see Micah 6:8 and Matthew 5:43-44). So, how can you and I practically do justice without hating the unjust today? First, take a risk to speak out against injustice. As God's ambassador in your workplace, you are called to speak out against injustices respectfully (see Ephesians 5:11). Second, refuse to take revenge against the unjust knowing that vengeance is God's alone (see Romans 12:19).Finally, pray for the unjust per Jesus's example knowing that you, like Christ, will be glorifying your Father in heaven as you do (see Luke 23:34).

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Five Mere ChristiansDevotional: 1 of 5But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)Today we're kicking off a new series where I'll introduce you to five “mere Christians” who show us what it looks like practically to glorify God via seemingly “secular” work. First up? Fred Rogers.At the height of his fame, Rogers received a letter from Kathy Usher about her daughter, Beth, who had a rare brain disease that caused hundreds of seizures a day. The only thing that made them stop? Watching Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.Before a critical surgery, Kathy wrote to Rogers asking for a signed picture to comfort Beth. But Rogers did one better. He called Beth that night and for nearly an hour, Beth talked to Mr. Rogers about everything from her fear of dying to her longing for friends.But just wait—this story gets crazier. During surgery, Beth slipped into a coma. And Rogers called every single day for two weeks to check on her. After one call, Rogers dialed Beth's surgeon, Dr. Ben Carson, and asked if he could visit Beth in person. Of course, Dr. Carson and the family agreed. And Rogers flew out the very next day to pray for Beth and perform a private puppet show at her bedside. A few weeks later, she woke up.Reading this story in a Starbucks, tears streamed down my face as I thought, Who does that? The answer: Someone so filled with God's love that they can't help but pour it out on others.Fred Rogers accomplished more than most people ever dream while also spending more time with his heavenly Father than most people ever dare. As one of his friends put it, Fred “fiercely guarded his time of quiet and reflection.” And in this, he reflected his Savior who “often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).This points to an important principle: We mere Christians glorify God by making time to experience God's love so that we can extend God's love to those we work with.To that end, let me challenge you to put a physical object in your workplace to remind you of the love God has for you. I did this months ago by hanging a replica of a sign that hung in Rogers's office for decades. It's a Hebrew printing of Song of Solomon 2:16 which says, “My beloved is mine and I am his.”Do whatever you need to remind yourself of God's love for you so that you can't help but extend his love to those you work with today.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Wisdom for Work from PhilippiansDevotional: 4 of 46 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:6-8)I've heard Philippians 4:6-7 and Philippians 4:8 preached separately many times. But I've never heard these passages preached together. That's a mistake because there's a clear connection between anxiety and the things we choose to think about.That truth has become more apparent as we've seen smartphones, social media, and 24 hour news services combine to create a culture of non-stop doomscrolling this past decade.As Jonathan Haidt says in The Anxious Generation, “the great irony of social media,” is that “the more you immerse yourself in it, the more lonely and depressed,” and anxious, “you become.” Because most of what's on social media and modern news services is not “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, or admirable.” It's infotainment designed to make us addicted and anxious.Of course, we can't do our most exceptional work for the glory of God and the good of others if we are constantly anxious. So how can we “guard our hearts and our minds”? Here are 3 ideas.First, experiment with my low information, low anxiety diet for 7 days. I haven't read the news regularly in almost 10 years. And it's not a coincidence that I'm far less anxious today than I was a decade ago. Let me encourage you to give my low information, low anxiety diet a try. Delete all social media and news apps from your phone. Then set a reminder to email me in one week to tell me what important, true, and noble things you missed. (Spoiler alert: You won't miss any. Your friends will tell you about what you truly need to know. Let them.) If that sounds too extreme, try this…Second, confine when you check news and social media to set times—maybe the last 15 minutes of your workday. Need help avoiding the temptation to check outside those set times? Use an app like Freedom or a Brick device (which I am increasingly obsessed with).Finally, read the news with the Holy Spirit. Whenever you do consume news and social media content, be sure you're reading it with the Holy Spirit. And as you feel anxiety rising up within you, “by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Wisdom for Work from PhilippiansDevotional: 3 of 4Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. (Philippians 3:17)Today's passage is exemplary of a command we see all throughout Paul's letters, perhaps most famously in 1 Corinthians 11:1 where the apostle said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”Paul understood that becoming more like Christ requires us seeing flesh-and-bone models of others following Christ. And so Paul encouraged his readers to look to him as an animated, three-dimensional case study of how to glorify God in a cultural context similar to their own.Paul's words point to an important principle: If you want to know what it looks like practically to glorify God, look first to Christ and second to Christ's followers.Let me suggest you respond to that principle in two practical ways.First, send a message thanking someone whose example you've followed as they've followed Christ. Who are the men and women God has used to form who you are spiritually and professionally? A parent? A former boss? Your pastor? A mentor God used to kick-start your career? Whoever just came to mind, send them a note right now thanking them for giving you a godly example worth imitating.Second, read more Christian biographies. I read a lot of biographies of other Christians. Because case studies make the commands of Christ stickier in my mind. The authors of Made to Stick explain why, saying, “A story is powerful because it provides the context missing from abstract prose.” That's the power of biography. And oh by the way, Scripture commands that we learn from the Christian leaders who came before us. Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” Commenting on this verse pastor John Piper says this is “a mandate for reading Christian biography.”Unfortunately, most biographies are tearfully boring and way too long. That's why I'm reimagining the genre with my next book which will introduce you to five mere Christians whose examples you and I would be wise to follow because of how well they followed the example of Christ in their work.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Wisdom for Work from PhilippiansDevotional: 2 of 4Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. (Philippians 2:14-15)Want to “shine among” the non-Christians you work with? Paul tells you how: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Apparently, working without grumbling and complaining was as countercultural in Paul's day as it is in ours.C.S. Lewis once said that, “Hell begins with a grumbling mood.” The inverse is also true. People can get a whiff of heaven through the joyful mood of its citizens. Dr. Randy Alcorn goes so far as to say that, “Happiness in Christ is one of our most powerful evangelistic tools.”The question, of course, is how can we be joyful and work without grumbling when your co-worker replies all to yet another email or your boss makes an urgent request at 4:45 on a Friday? By focusing on what Christ has done for us.Just a few verses before today's passage, Paul writes about how Christ “humbled himself by becoming obedient to death” for you and me (see verse 8). “Therefore,” Paul says in verse 14, “do everything without grumbling or arguing.”The cross is the source of our joy amidst less than desirable circumstances. Once you focus on what Christ accomplished for you at Calvary, grumbling about the smell in the office refrigerator feels ridiculous. Tim Keller once compared it to being a “spiritual billionaire…wringing your hands over ten dollars.”Grumbling is so second nature we often don't notice we're doing it. Here are three simple ways to prevent, confess, and respond to complaining.First, prevent grumbling by writing Philippians 2:14-15 somewhere you'll see it while you work. On a post-it note, your phone background—wherever.Second, confess grumbling by creating a grumble jar. And every time you or someone on your team complains, drop in a dollar (or, if you're like me and never carry cash, an IOU to tally later). My family and I did this recently to break a different habit and it was shockingly effective. We were able to kick our habit in less than a month. Finally, respond to grumbling by expressing gratitude. Think back to the last thing you complained about and thank God for something related to that thing. For example, this morning I grumbled about the house being a mess. But I then said a quick prayer of gratitude that I have children to make said mess.Do whatever it takes to wrestle your grumbling to the ground, believer. Because as Dr. Alcorn put it, “Our happiness makes the gospel contagiously appealing; our unhappiness makes it alarmingly unattractive.”

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Wisdom for Work from PhilippiansDevotional: 1 of 4For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. (Philippians 1:21-22)Today, we're kicking off a new series exploring wisdom for our work from Paul's letter to the Philippians, looking at one insight from each of the book's four chapters.We begin in chapter 1 with Paul's words that—so long as he's alive—he will give himself to “fruitful labor” for the kingdom.Those words are countercultural today as retirement remains a goal for the vast majority of Americans. And thanks to the growing “Financial Independence, Retire Early” FIRE movement, Gen Z plans to retire earlier than any previous generation at the ripe young age of 54.How do these people plan to spend the second half of life? The social media bio of a leader of the FIRE movement is telling to that end: “Mr. Money Mustache was a thirtysomething retiree who now writes about how we can all lead a frugal yet Badass life of leisure.”This idea of trading hard work for endless leisure finds zero support in Scripture. Theologian Dr. R. Paul Stevens puts it bluntly: “there is no concept of retirement in the Bible.”Which is why Paul wrote constantly about the Christian's call to work hard as long as we “go on living in the body.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 is just one example: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”And let's not forget that while many of us are chasing financial independence, Jesus chased financial dependence (see Matthew 8:20 and Luke 8:2-3). And while many of us are calculating when we can stop working, Jesus said he glorified the Father by finishing the work the Father gave him to do (see John 17:4).God may call you to retire from the work you do for pay. But I guarantee you that he won't call you to retire from “abounding in the work of the Lord.”Now, before you financial advisors reply to this email in outrage, hear this: There is nothing wrong with saving money for a day when you may no longer be able to work for pay. I do! But to call yourself an image bearer of Christ and then trade a productive life with a life of endless leisure is to take the Lord's name in vain. You know how lightbulbs shine brightest just before they burn out? That is a picture of the life of Paul and the life of Christ that you and I are made to image. Resolve to image him well as you seek fruitful labor today and to the very end.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: God's Will for Your WorkDevotional: 4 of 4The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)We've been in a series exploring biblical truths for discerning God's will for your work. Here's the fourth and final I'll share:Truth #4: Some Christians need to spend less time discerning God's will and more time doing God's will.Now, notice that I didn't say “spend no time discerning God's will.” That would be unbiblical and foolish as the wisdom of seeking wisdom from the Lord is everywhere in Scripture (see Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:5, etc.).The problem is that many of us spend so much time worrying about God's will for the future that we never get around to doing his will in the present. This stands in stark contrast to the example of Christ's followers in Scripture. Take Paul as an example. Yes there were times when Paul waited on the Lord in prayer (see Acts 13:1-2, Acts 16:6-10, etc.). But as pastor Jerry Sittser explains, the New Testament offers no hint that Paul agonized about the will of God as it pertained to the future…If we sense any agony in the heroes of Scripture, it is not in discovering the will of God but in doing it.”Now I hear what you're thinking: OK Jordan, so long as I am seeking to obey God, I have lots of freedom in the decisions I make at work. I get it. But I still have a decision to make! So how do I choose? Let me suggest 3 practices that put the truths we've learned in this series into practice.#1: Pray and ask God for wisdom. But as I mentioned before, don't be surprised if his answer is, “you choose.” #2: Seek wisdom from Christians who understand your work. This could be a small group in your church, a Christian Employee Resource Group at your company, or my own Mere Christians Community (which is open for enrollment this week).#3: Flip a coin. Absent an exceptionally clear answer from God or others, choose whichever option you want. Still can't decide? Flip a coin. As music producer Rick Rubin explains, “When the coin is spinning in the air, you'll likely notice a quiet preference or wish for one of the two to come up. Which are you rooting for? This is the option to go with.”God's will for your work is that you would work with him and be obedient to his commands. That gives you tonsof freedom to make decisions today. Maybe you need to stop asking God about his will and start doing his will. Because as Saint Francis de Sales once said, “Deeds give God far more glory than any amount of time wasted in trying to discriminate between good and better.”

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: God's Will for Your WorkDevotional: 3 of 4Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)The hardest decision I've ever made professionally was to step down as CEO of Threshold 360 six years ago. I loved leading that fast growing tech startup. And I also loved creating faith and work content like these devotionals. But I was convinced that I had to put all my professional eggs in one of those two baskets.I knew neither path was a “higher calling”—I could follow Jesus fully in either role. But I still spent months paralyzed, desperate to discern God's will for my work.Part of what freed me was today's passage, knowing that regardless of which path I chose, as long as my heart was submissive to God today, he would make my paths straight tomorrow. As we've already seen in this series, Scripture says very little about God's will for you tomorrow, but a lot about God's will for you today—namely that he wills us to obey him and walk in the way of The Way, Jesus Christ (see 1 Thessalonians 4:3).So long as you're doing that, there's no such thing as a “wrong” decision. As Tim Keller once said, “for a Christian, there is no ‘plan B.'” Because God's purposes will always prevail (see Proverbs 19:21). That brings me to the third biblical truth for discerning God's will for your work… Truth #3: There is no wrong way if you are following The Way.Here's how pastor Jerry Sittser articulated this idea: “If we seek first God's kingdom and righteousness…then whatever choices we make concerning the future become the will of God for our lives. There are many pathways we could follow…As long as we are seeking God, all of them can be God's will for our lives, although only one—the path we choose—actually becomes his will.”In other words, it is impossible to seek the kingdom of God and miss the will of God. There is no wrong way if you are following The Way.What decision are you agonizing over at work? Should you stay or leave your job? Go back to school? Say yes or no to a big project? If none of your options violate God's commands, relax. Pray for wisdom. And unless you hear a clear answer, choose freely and confidently—knowing the Lord will make your path straight.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: God's Will for Your WorkDevotional: 2 of 4Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. (1 Corinthians 7:19-21)My pastor Chris Basham offers an analogy about God's will that I love. Imagine you set up a backyard full of activities for your kids—a pool, a swingset, monkey bars, a trampoline, a football. You tell them they're free to play with anything they like, as long as they stay inside the fence, because beyond it lies a pond filled with venomous snakes.Now imagine your kids keep asking, Can I throw the football? At some point, you'd say, Of course! I wouldn't have put it there if I didn't want you to enjoy it.Many of us act like those kids—constantly asking God for permission to do things he has already permitted. And that's precisely what Paul addresses in today's passage.The Corinthians, young in their faith, were asking: Should we be circumcised? Should we change jobs? Paul's response? It doesn't matter. “Keeping God's commands is what counts.” That is his “will” as we saw last week. If all of your options are within the fence of obedience to God's commands, you're free to choose.Paul's words bring me to the second truth for discerning God's will for your work…Truth #2: God's will is that his children have free will within the boundaries of his commands. This may explain why you sometimes don't hear a clear answer from the Lord when weighing two equally God-honoring choices. God just might not have an opinion. It's not that he doesn't care—he simply might be delighting in your freedom.Extending my pastor's analogy, imagine your kids ask not for your permission per se but for your opinion—Should I swim in the pool or jump on the trampoline? Your response would likely be, You choose! As long as you stay in the fence and want me with you, I'll be thrilled.Let me be clear: You very well may hear a clear answer from the Lord regarding the decision you have to make. But maybe God's lack of an answer is his answer: You are my child. As long as you stay within the boundary of my commands, you are safe and free.Paul's words just a few chapters after today's passage are instructive here: “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). In other words, if your motivation as you make decisions is “the glory of God” you are free to do “whatever.” Glorify him today by choosing freely within the boundaries of his commands.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: God's Will for Your WorkDevotional: 1 of 4But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:33-34)Which job should I take? What goals is God calling me to pursue in my business? Has God closed the door on this opportunity for good? All of these are variations of the same question: What is God‘s will for my work?Over the next few weeks, we're going to explore four biblical truths for discerning God's will for your work that I'm confident will lead you to unprecedented freedom, clarity, and joy. The first might surprise you…Truth #1: Scripture says very little about God's will for you tomorrow, but a lot about God's will for you today.If you search “God's will” in the New Testament you will find nothing that resembles the types of future tense discernment we spend so much time worrying about today. And when Scripture does talk about the future, it's almost always in the context of commanding us not to worry about it (see Matthew 6:34)!What should we do instead? “Seek first” the kingdom of God “and his righteousness” (see Matthew 6:33). In other words, prioritize God in all things and obey him in all things like Christ did—that is God's will for you today and tomorrow. Paul says this more explicitly in 1 Thessalonians 4:3: “It is God's will that you should be sanctified.”The best book I've read on this topic is The Will of God as a Way of Life by pastor Jerry Sittser, who summarizes today's truth beautifully: “[After years of study] I discovered that the Bible says very little about the will of God as a future pathway. Instead, the Bible warns us about anxiety and presumption concerning the future, assures us that God is in control, and commands us to do the will of God we already know in the present….Obedience is God's will for our lives.”This truth isn't just freeing—it's empowering. Instead of being paralyzed by uncertainty about the future, we can move forward with confidence, knowing that God's will for today is clear.Before you close this email, identify one specific way you can obey God at work today. Maybe it's extending grace to a difficult coworker, working with excellence even when no one's watching, or simply pausing to pray before a meeting. God's will isn't a mystery—it's right in front of you. Obey and glorify him as you work today.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Mere Christians of the BibleDevotional: 5 of 5…the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me….I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1 Corinthians 9:14-15, 22-23)In the past few centuries, many churches have unbiblically elevated the callings of pastors and missionaries above those of “mere Christians”—teachers, small business owners, mechanics, and others working outside the pulpit. It's no surprise that modern believers often forget the Apostle Paul was a mere Christian himself who worked as a tentmaker (see Acts 18:1-3). Paul didn't take up this work out of necessity. As today's passage shows, he could have exercised his “right” to work as a donor-supported missionary. But he chose not to because he saw his work as a strategic vehicle becoming “all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”Tim Keller's research highlights that “80% or more of evangelism in the early church was done not by ministers or evangelists” but by mere Christians like Paul and the others we've explored in this series. And that continues to be true today. Mere Christians aren't on the JV team of Christianity—we are the primary means through which God spreads his glorious gospel!How should you and I respond to that truth?First, prayerfully consider taking your job with you overseas. More and more countries are closing their doors to Christian missionaries. But those same countries will happily open those same doors to Christian mathematicians, medical doctors, and managers. My friend Andrew Scott wrote a terrific book with case study after case study of what God is doing through mere Christians working in these largely unreached nations. Ask God if he's calling you to follow suit.  Second, regardless of where you work, build a list of Launchers. Conversations with lost co-workers often stay at surface-level topics like sports or our favorite TV shows. But with a tiny bit of intentionality, you can easily steer conversations with non-believers from the surface, to the serious, to the spiritual. And Launchers is an unbelievably simple tool that enables it! A list of Launchers contains two things: The names of people you're trying to share the gospel withNext to each name, a list of questions or topics you think might launch your next conversation with them from the surface, to the serious, to the spiritualKeep your list of Launchers on a note on your phone, in a journal—wherever. See a screenshot of mine here.I can not tell you how many times God has used my list of Launchers to open up deep spiritual conversations with the non-Christians in my life. I am confident the same will be true for you.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Mere Christians in the BibleDevotional: 4 of 5In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)We're in a series exploring wisdom for our work from some “Mere Christians of the Bible”—believers who did not work as pastors or donor-supported missionaries, but as shepherds, winemakers, and more. That would have described most of the believers at the Church of Thessalonica, whom Paul rebuked for idleness in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 2 Thessalonians 3.Why were these mere Christians idle? The Theology of Work Project suggests they fell for “a common, but false” idea that “Christ's coming into the world has radically diminished the value of everyday labor,” and that some believers were “using some aspect of Christ's teaching—whether it was his second coming, or his commission to evangelize the world—to justify their idleness.”But Paul rejected this outright. As he made clear in nearly all his epistles, mere Christians keep watch for Christ's return not by sitting on our hands but by working with them.If you're reading The Word Before Work, you likely don't need to be told to work hard. But even the hardest working can slowly slide into subtle slothfulness. How can you and I avoid this? Here are three ideas.#1: “Tape the audience.” The rapper Biggie Smalls once gave some surprising direction to his videographer. Instead of filming him, Biggie said, “Every time a song drops, tape the audience. I wanna see their reaction.” Because Biggie was committed to working hard in service of his customers. Avoid idleness by metaphorically “taping the audience” of your work by regularly asking your boss or customers for critical feedback, shadowing end users to see where your product creates friction, or tracking the customer engagement metric you've been avoiding for fear of what it might say.#2: Audit where you're busy but not productive. Review tasks you completed 30-60 days ago and ask, “Did this move the needle?” With some distance, you'll spot where you're frantic with activity that's leading to nowhere.#3: Make a grand gesture to break bad habits that tempt you to idleness. Last year, I struggled with apps that tempted me toward subtle slothfulness. After setting and failing to keep “screen time limits,” I made a grand gesture and spent $50 on this device that solved my problem overnight.Whatever works for you works. But do whatever you must to avoid the slow slide to subtle slothfulness. Strive, as Paul did, to “strenuously contend with all the energy” you have—for the glory of God and the good of others (Colossians 1:29).

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Mere Christians of the BibleDevotional: 3 of 5At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion…He and all his family were devout and God-fearing. (Acts 10:1-2)We're in a series extracting lessons for our work from some “mere Christians” mentioned in Scripture—believers who faithfully followed Jesus through their seemingly “secular” work. Today's passage mentions one such mere Christian: Cornelius the Roman centurion. Acts 10 tells us, “At about three in the afternoon, [Cornelius] had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, ‘Cornelius!'” Though startled, Cornelius responded, “What is it, Lord?” The angel instructed him to send for Peter. Without hesitation, Cornelius “called two of his servants and a devout soldier” to carry out the mission (see Acts 10:3-7).This was probably a regular day at the office for Cornelius, until out of nowhere, an angel appeared. Cornelius could have said, “Sorry angel. Now's not a good time. Can't you see I'm busy training my soldiers?” But instead, Cornelius embraced the “interruption” for what it clearly was—a divine appointment from God.Cornelius's response brings to mind a quote from the mere Christian himself, C.S. Lewis who said, “What one calls the interruptions are precisely one's real life—the life God is sending one day by day.”Now, I love Lewis, but I have a love/hate relationship with this quote. Because I've heard way too many Christians use it (and quotes like it) to justify laziness disguised as spiritual devotion. Here's the truth: it is way easier (and often more immediately gratifying) to drift through your day responding to every interruption in the name of religious piety than it is to sit down, focus, and create something valuable with the skills God has given you to steward.And no, contrary to what you may have been told, Jesus did not “always have time for interruptions.” It's true that many times he did. But other times he ignored interruptions so that he could focus on the work God called him to do (see Mark 9:30-31 and Matthew 12:46-50).So where do Jesus and Cornelius's examples leave us? Are we to embrace or ignore interruptions at work today? I think the answer is both.Here's my charge for you today: turn on Do Not Disturb, shut down your email, and in “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart” rather than half your attention (Colossians 3:23). But when a call mysteriously breaks through, your child ignores your home office's “closed-door policy,” or an angel shows up unexpectedly—embrace the “interruption” as “the life God is sending” you. And like Cornelius, look forward with great expectation to what God can do in that unexpected encounter!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Mere Christians of the BibleDevotional: 2 of 5Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women…Mary (called Magdalene) …Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. (Luke 8:1-3)We're in a series exploring wisdom for our work today from some of the “Mere Christians of the Bible”—believers who did not work as pastors or donor-supported missionaries, but as entrepreneurs, tax collectors, and more.Today's passage introduces us to three mere Christians: Mary, Joanna, and Susanna who “were helping to support” Jesus and the twelve disciples “out of their own means.”Most scholars believe that Joanna was likely the wealthiest of this trio, given her position in Herod's court. But many also believe these women were likely small business owners who worked hard to produce the profits needed to fund Jesus's ministry.Mary, Joanna, and Susanna remind us of three important truths.First, God frequently celebrates women who work “outside the home.” From Eve working alongside Adam in the garden (Genesis 1:26-28), to the midwives God used to defy Pharaoh (Exodus 1:15-21), to Deborah's leading of Israel (Judges 4:4-5), to Mary, Joanna, and Susanna supporting Jesus's ministry, Scripture consistently shows God delighting in the work of his daughters.Second, our work has intrinsic and instrumental value to God. I talk a lot in these devotionals about how your work has intrinsic value to God—in other words, it matters for eternity even when you're not leveraging it to some instrumental and spiritual end such as sharing the gospel or writing a check to the missionaries pictured on your refrigerator. But these women remind us that our work does have important instrumental value. In fact, Paul says that is one of the reasons why mere Christians ought to work: so “that they may have something to share with those in need” (see Ephesians 4:28) including those who rely on the generosity of others to preach the gospel (see 1 Corinthians 9:14).Finally, God values offstage work as much as he does onstage work. Scripture doesn't mention these women preaching or performing miracles like the twelve disciples, but their offstage roles were so valued by God that Luke records them in his gospel. If you're working in relative obscurity today, take heart—God “will not forget your work” either (Hebrews 6:10).How should we respond to the three truths above?Thank God for the gift of working women (and, if you're a woman, for a God who delights in the work you do inside and outside the home).Ask the Lord whose work he might be calling you to support “out of your own means.”Remind a mere Christian working “offstage” that God sees and values their work today.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Mere Christians of the BibleDevotional: 1 of 5Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. Jesus said to him, “Zacchaeus…I must stay at your house today.”...All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house.” (Luke 19:1-2, 5, 7-9)If you're reading this, chances are you're not a pastor or donor-supported missionary, but a “mere Christian” like me who works as an entrepreneur, barista, or programmer. Today I'm kicking off a new series here on The Word Before Work exploring the lives of some mere Christians in the Bible and what they can teach us about our own work in the present—starting with Zaccheus.After choosing to follow Jesus, modern readers half expect Jesus to call Zaccheus to abandon his “secular” work. But Luke mentions no such calling. Most scholars I've read believe that just as John the Baptist urged the tax collectors he baptized to return to their posts, Jesus likely encouraged Zaccheus to do the same (see Luke 3:12-14). Because as pastor John Piper says, “You don't waste your life by where you work, but how and why.”Believer, as you step into the New Year, trust that “where you work” is exactly where God wants you today. But, like Zacchaeus, ask yourself if God is calling you to re-examine how and why you work.I used to think Zacchaeus was uniquely corrupt. However, according to the Theology of Work Commentary, his actions were likely just “industry standard practice.” Until Jesus opened his eyes, Zacchaeus was blind or indifferent to how his work harmed others. He was “just doing his job.”The lesson for us is clear: Following Jesus as mere Christians requires that we question the conventional wisdom of our workplaces and industries to uncover opportunities for redemption and renewal. Here's a 5-step process to help:Pray for God to reveal how your work might harm others. Identify a common practice in your field worth questioning. Ask why this practice is done this way and what fundamental principles drive it. Evaluate those principles against God's Word. Reimagine the practice with a commitment to God's glory and others' good.Zacchaeus may have done this work alone, but you're more likely to succeed with other believers. Seek out fellow mere Christians inside and outside your field to tackle this together today!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Christmas Vocations Part IIIDevotional: 4 of 4After [the Magi] had heard [King Herod], they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. (Matthew 2:9-10)Today concludes our series exploring the vocations of some of the characters in the Christmas narrative and what they can teach us about our own work today. Today, we end with the famed Star of Bethlehem.Now, I know it's a stretch to say that a star has a “vocation,” but hear me out. Because this star plays a huge part in the Christmas narrative, leading the Magi to find and worship Christ the King.But Scripture makes clear that it's not just this star that does the work of glorifying God. Psalm 19:1-3 says that all “the heavens declare the glory of God…day after day they pour forth speech,” even though “they use no words.”Believer, if inanimate stars can glorify God and give testimony to his awesomeness, you better believe that you—God's image bearer—can do the same through your work.We see evidence that this is true all throughout Scripture. Take Nehemiah as an example. After rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem in an astonishingly fast 52 days, Nehemiah's enemies were forced to give God credit and glory because they “realized that this work had been done with the help of God” (Nehemiah 6:16).Passages like this one point to an important truth: You don't have to be evangelizing with your words to glorify God. You can also glorify him by evangelizing with your work. In what you do—the products of your work—and how you do it—the processes by which you work—you can create cravings in the lost for things that are “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy” (Philippians 4:8).And the creation of those cravings is good in and of itself. Why? Because if the craving you're creating through your work can only be satisfied in full in Christ, you are setting the lost down a path that dead ends at a single true Source.You and I are called to reflect Christ, “the bright and morning star” in everything we do, including our work. So as we look towards 2025, let me leave you with 5 questions to ponder and journal through to that end:What can you point to that was most “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy” about your work in 2024? And how can you do more of that in 2025?Where is the Holy Spirit convicting you that your work is not “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy”? What's one action you can take to rectify that and better reflect Christ next year?If your co-workers were asked to point to evidence that you are a follower of Christ, what would they point to?Which of your co-workers do you feel the Lord leading you to share the gospel with explicitly in 2025?Imagine Jesus is sitting across from you right now. What would he say about your work in 2024? And what feedback would he give you as you head back to the office in 2025?

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Christmas Vocations Part IIIDevotional: 3 of 4This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham…Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. (Matthew 1:1,17)Matthew has many vocations in the gospels. But in the first chapter of his gospel, we see him playing the role of a genealogist who takes his readers all the way back to Abraham to trace Jesus's family tree, so that we can be confident he is the Messiah. I'd encourage you to read Matthew's genealogical work in full in Matthew 1:1-17. But there are two profound insights we can glean just from the excerpt I shared above. First, God is always faithful, but he is rarely fast—at least by human standards. The Jewish people had been waiting thousands of years for God's promised Messiah. Some had surely given up hope. But Matthew goes through painstaking genealogical detail to show God's faithfulness over time.Commenting on today's passage, pastor Tim Keller once said this: “[God] may seem to be working very slowly or even to be forgetting his promises, but when his promises come true (and they will come true), they always burst the banks of what you imagined.”What promise does God appear to be slow to keeping in your work? Maybe you're still waiting for God's promise of “wisdom” (James 1:5), “peace…which transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), or “good” to come from your layoff (Romans 8:28-29). Whatever it is, Christmas reminds you that God will always keep his promises, even if it takes far longer than you'd like.Here's the second insight I want you to glean from today's passage: Jesus is the “seventh seven” that brings about ultimate rest in your work. Matthew highlights six groups of seven generations from Abraham to Jesus, marking Christ as the beginning of the “seventh seven.” This echoes Leviticus 25, where the seventh seven—a jubilee year—freed slaves, forgave debts, and provided rest for all.As Keller explains, “The seventh seven, the Sabbath of Sabbaths, was a foretaste of the final rest that all will have when God renews the earth. Matthew is telling us that [true] rest will come to us only through Jesus Christ….In Jesus you stop having to prove yourself because you know it doesn't really matter in the end whether you are a failure or a king. All you need is God's grace, and you can have it, in spite of your failures.”Maybe you would call 2024 a huge “success.” Or maybe it was a massive “failure” by the world's standards. Ultimately, it doesn't really matter. In victory or defeat, you can say “it is well with my soul” because the seventh seven has come to set you free from sin and death and to adopt you into the family of God. Rest in his love this week!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Christmas Vocations Part IIIDevotional: 2 of 4In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (Luke 2:1)We're in a series exploring the vocations of some of the characters in the Christmas narrative and what they can teach us about our own work today. Today we come to Caesar Augustus.This secular leader has a mixed legacy including brutal tales of how he came to rule over the Roman Empire. And yet, God chose to work through Augustus and his census to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Micah 5:2 that God's chosen Messiah would be born in the town of David.This reminds us of a remarkable truth we see all throughout Scripture—namely that God works in this world through non-believers and believers alike. This is one element of “common grace” which my friend Mike Kelsey (lead pastor at McLean Bible Church) defines as “the reality that God extends his goodness to and through people apart from a saving relationship with him.”The number of ways common grace should practically shape our work are legion. Let me share just three today.First, submit to leaders so long as their edicts don't contradict God's Word. Yes, even leaders you loathe. Why? Because “the one in authority is God's servant for your good” (see Romans 13:1-7). I doubt Mary and Joseph agreed with Caesar Augustus's politics. But they obeyed his commands and the world was blessed because of it.Second, trust that God is at work in your workplace even if your leaders don't believe in him. It can be really hard to work for leaders who are agnostic or even hostile towards your faith. But don't fall for the lie that God is not working through them. Caesar Augustus reminds you that he is. There is no such thing as a truly “secular” workplace, because God is at work through believers and non-believers alike to accomplish his good and perfect will.Finally, call out the good God is doing through non-Christians as a means of evangelism. There are many things your secular co-workers do that are not good by God's standards. But God can use those same co-workers to bring about genuinely good things in the world. When you see your non-Christian co-workers working with justice, love, and beauty, call them out on it, encouraging them that you see God working through them and their work. And see how those otherworldly words of blessing can open up doors to share the gospel today!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Christmas Vocations Part IIIDevotional: 1 of 4And you, my child…will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him. (Luke 1:76)Today we're starting a new series here on The Word Before Work—a third installment of my semi-annual Christmas Vocations series where we explore the jobs of some of the characters of the Christmas narrative and what they can teach us about our own work today.We begin with John the Baptist whose role was to “prepare the way” for Christ as we see in today's passage—an excerpt from Zecharaiah's prayer after John's birth. Right from the get go, John was told he would never be top dog. His purpose in life was to play the proverbial second fiddle to his cousin Jesus. And all throughout the gospels, we see John joyfully embracing his secondary role. Referring to Jesus, John famously said, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).John knew his place in God's cosmic drama. The question is do we? Sure we do intellectually. But functionally, I think many of us spend an ungodly amount of energy clamoring to be center stage. As Christian rapper Sho Baraka says, “we find ourselves feeling like extras on the set of life, trying desperately to write a meaningful part for ourselves.”How does this restless search for a “more meaningful part” in God's story show up? It looks like obsessing over “winning” and “being the best” at work, rather than leading and serving others well. Or believing the lie that you must do something extraordinary for your life to matter rather than basing your significance on Christ's extraordinary work of adopting you into God's family. Or fixating on having “more impact for the kingdom” instead of wholeheartedly working on what God has already entrusted to you.If you can relate to what I'm talking about, please hear this: Ironically, it is only once we embrace our role as “extras on the set of life” and Jesus as the star that we can be truly “successful.” Because then success is secure regardless of the part you play. It is based on the fact that God has given you an irrevocable invitation to enjoy and participate in the only eternal production there is. And once you grasp that, you are free. If you struggle embracing your role in the proverbial supporting cast of God's kingdom, consider these three practices.#1: Start every day on your knees in prayer, physically signifying your submission to Christ.#2: Write John 3:30 and post it near your desk (“He must become greater; I must become less.”)#3: Fast from social media for at least a week as these apps subtly (and not so subtly) try to convince us that we, rather than Christ, are the center of the story of life.Now, go fade into the background behind Christ as you work today!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: 7 Biblical Principles for Resolving Conflict at WorkDevotional: 7 of 7Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32) If you've been following the biblical principles in this series, your efforts to make peace with those you're in conflict with will likely go well. But they very well might not.How are we to respond to those who are unrepentant and unmoving? Depending on the situation, you may be called to pursue mediation, arbitration, or public accountability (all three of which are addressed biblically and helpfully in Ken Sande's excellent book, The Peacemaker).But regardless of whether your situation calls for one of those more escalated responses, I can tell you one response we are all called to in every situation: “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).Commenting on this verse, Dr. N. T. Wright says: “it is utterly inappropriate for one who knows the joy and release of being forgiven to refuse to share that blessing with another. [Furthermore] it is highly presumptuous to refuse to forgive one whom Christ himself has already forgiven.”Amen. But hey: I know how impossible it can feel to forgive someone who has wronged you at work. If that's you today, hear these words from pastor Tony Merida: “When your tank is empty, remember the tomb is empty!” The price Christ paid to forgive you was cosmically greater than the price you must pay to forgive your neighbor. Go and forgive likewise.Today's passage brings us to the 7th and final principle we'll explore in this series. Here it is in context of the full list of 7 biblical principles for resolving conflict at work: Praise the Prince of Peace for the grace and mercy he has shown you (Matthew 5:9)Make the First Move to resolve any conflict (Romans 12:18)Resolve to Overlook or Address the offense that has caused a lack of peace between you and someone else (Proverbs 19:11, 27:5)Pluck the Plank from your own eye before you address the offense of another (Matthew 7:3-5)Prepare Your Heart to bless the person you are in conflict with (Psalm 51:10)Address the Conflict with Grace that flows out of the grace you've been shown by Christ (Colossians 4:5-6)Forgive Freely as Christ has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32) Believer, you and I are called to be “salt and light” in our workplaces. How did Jesus say people will taste our proverbial saltiness? Check out Mark 9:50: “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” Pursue peace as a means of preserving your saltiness for God's glory this and every day!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: 7 Biblical Principles for Resolving Conflict at WorkDevotional: 6 of 7Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:5-6)Today's passage points us to the 6th biblical principle for resolving conflict at work…Principle #6: Address the Conflict with Grace that flows out of the grace you've been shown by Christ.As we saw a few weeks ago, sometimes we're called to overlook an offense. But when we sense God prompting us to address it, we must do so graciously. This includes grace in our motives, methods, and medium of communication.First, motives. Our motive in addressing conflict is primarily to bless rather than blame, help rather than hurt, and serve rather than shame.Second, methods. Sometimes Jesus addressed sin via methods that were sharp, direct, and public, like the time he overturned tables in the temple. Other times, he opted for methods that were gentle, indirect, and private, like the conversation he had with the Samaritan woman at the well. Similarly, Scripture calls us to adjust our methods based on what will bless and restore the person we're in conflict with (see Titus 1:13 and 1 Timothy 5:1).Finally, medium. When Paul “had no peace of mind” because of an unresolved conflict, he didn't send a letter, but went to resolve the issue in-person (2 Corinthians 2:12-13). Similarly, John said he “would rather not use paper and ink” to share certain things (see 2 John 1:12).Our motives, methods, and medium of communication all play a part in addressing conflict graciously. Now, let's put those insights into practice. Throughout this series, I've been encouraging you to journal through how you will address conflict with a specific person at work. Pull open that note right now and work through these 5 steps.#1: Review the plank in your eye you journaled a couple of weeks ago. And remember the grace and mercy Christ has shown you so that you can extend grace and mercy to the person you're in conflict with.#2: Write down the method of communication this situation calls for. Sharp or gentle? Direct or indirect? Private or public? Read Matthew 18:15-17 and pray for wisdom.#3: Write down the medium you will use to address the conflict. Spoiler alert: I doubt God's calling you to address it via email. In person is ideal. But if you work remotely, Zoom is a great alternative.#4: Write down what you want to say (and don't want to say) as clearly as you can. Sometimes writing down what I don't plan to say is what best allows me to communicate with grace.  #5: Write down when you will address the other person. The sooner the better for God's glory, their good, and your peace!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: 7 Biblical Principles for Resolving Conflict at WorkDevotional: 5 of 7Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)We're in a series exploring 7 biblical principles for resolving conflict at work. And let me tell you, this is as much for me as it is for you as I am not naturally good at pursuing peace.For example, years ago, I worked with someone (let's call him Ryan) whose poor management caused me significant financial pain. Did I address the conflict? Not really. Because I knew I wouldn't have to work with Ryan again, so I found it easier to just “write him off.”I'm ashamed to admit how I handled that situation, because Luke 6:27-28 convicts me of how incredibly unChristlike my response was. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Jesus calls us not only to avoid retaliation but to love, bless, and do good to those we have conflict with. If I had sought to bless Ryan, I would have addressed the conflict graciously to serve him and his future clients.But that requires a heart transformed by God's love, which is one of the reasons why I believe the psalmist prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Before addressing conflict, we need to embrace the 5th principle for resolving conflict at work…Principle #5: Prepare Your Heart to bless the person you are in conflict with.How can you do that for a person you feel a lack of peace with at work today? Here are three practices.First, ask God for a heart that longs more to bless than to blame the person you're confronting. Pray for Christ-like love that leads you to look primarily to their interests rather than your own (see Philippians 2:1-4).Second, pray for the person you're in conflict with. Right now, right where you're at, obey Jesus's command to “pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28).Finally, write down one practical thing you can do to bless this person. Is your conflict with a team member who's missing deadlines? Bless them by gifting a time management resource you've found helpful. Did a co-worker take credit for your work? “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21) by publicly praising their contribution to the team.And don't forget: Simply addressing conflict is a way to bless the person you have conflict with (see James 5:20). How can we do that in a gracious way? That's the question we'll answer next week!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: 7 Biblical Principles for Resolving Conflict at WorkDevotional: 4 of 7Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:3-5)Out of nowhere, my colleague blindsided me with a super offensive comment—the kind of remark that could have easily destroyed our relationship. I was furious and wanted nothing more than to retaliate. But by God's grace, I took some time to see “the plank” in my own eye and realized that I had contributed greatly to the conflict.I went to my friend and apologized for my part in the disagreement. And before I could even address how he had offended me, my friend offered up a sincere apology of his own. Today, our personal and professional relationship is stronger than ever.This is an example of what Ken Sande calls the “Golden Result,” which is a corollary to the “Golden Rule.” As the expert peacemaker explains in his book, “If we blame others for a problem, they will usually blame in return. But if we say, ‘I was wrong,' it is amazing how often the response will be, ‘It was my fault too.'”How does God often bring about the Golden Result in conflict? By his people following this biblical principle…Principle #4: Pluck the Plank from your own eye before you address the offense of another.Commenting on Jesus's words about “planks” and “specks” in Matthew 7:3-5, pastor Tony Merida says this: “Our assessment of the other person [in a conflict] is wrong…because something is blurring or blocking our vision. And it's not a speck—it's a 2 x 4! Jesus is saying our vision…in the midst of conflict is totally compromised when we fail to assess ourselves first.”So, how practically do we go about plucking the plank from our own eye? Here are three ideas.First, accept Jesus's premise that you are the primary contributor to the problem. Again, here's Merida: “While we most often think the other person has the log and we have the speck (‘Sure, I can own up to about 10 percent of this conflict, but they are most certainly creating 90 percent of it!'), Jesus flips this assumption around!”Second, ask God for supernatural humility to see how you've contributed to the conflict.Finally, journal about how you may have contributed to the conflict in the note I've been encouraging you to build throughout this series. Need some help? Journal through these questions:What underlying desire do I have that this person is allegedly blocking? Is that desire God-honoring?What habitual sins, fears, insecurities, or past wounds might be fueling my reaction to this conflict?If a wise, Christ-like mentor observed this conflict, what planks might they see in my own eye?In what ways can I demonstrate Christ's work in me by owning my part in this conflict?I'm praying those practices put you on a path to pursuing peace with those you work with today!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: 7 Biblical Principles for Resolving Conflict at WorkDevotional: 3 of 7A person's insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11)We're in a series exploring seven biblical principles for resolving conflict at work. Here's the third…Principle #3: Resolve to Overlook or Address the offense that has caused a lack of peace between you and someone else.You may be surprised to learn that Scripture commends overlooking certain offenses, but it's there in black and white (see Proverbs 19:11). And I think we see evidence of this in the life of Christ. Take Jesus's exchange with the “rich young ruler.” After Jesus pointed to God's commands such as the ones to “not murder,” and “not commit adultery,” the young man said, “All these things I have kept from my youth” (see Matthew 19:16-22). To which Jesus must have thought, “Really?”While this man may not have technically murdered or cheated on his wife, Jesus's Sermon on the Mount made clear that no human (save Christ himself) is capable of keeping those commandments perfectly. Jesus undoubtedly saw pride and spiritual blindness in this young man's heart. But he chose “to overlook [the] offense” in this particular interaction.So yes, sometimes we'd be wise to overlook an offense. But other times, we'd be wise to address an offense that is leading to a lack of peace (see Proverbs 27:5). How can we discern when to overlook and when to address an offense that is causing conflict? Here are three steps.#1: Write down the offense as clearly as you can. Because as Charles Kettering once said, “A problem well stated is a problem half solved.” Go back to the note I encouraged you to start last week and complete this sentence: “I feel a lack of peace with [Name] because…” And be as detailed as you can about why you feel a lack of peace towards this person.#2: Pray for wisdom on whether to address or overlook the offense. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”#3: Ask yourself these diagnostic questions.Does the offense dishonor God?Has the offense damaged my relationship with the person?Has this person's actions hurt themselves or others?Was the offending action done intentionally?Is the offending action a recurring issue?If I overlook the offense, will I continue to dwell on it?If the answer to all of these questions is “no,” then it's probably wise to overlook the issue which, according to Ken Sande, “involves a deliberate decision not to talk about it, dwell on it, or let it grow into pent-up bitterness or anger.”If you can do that, praise God! If not, we've got some more work to do together next week.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: 7 Biblical Principles for Resolving Conflict at WorkDevotional: 2 of 7If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)I'm ashamed to admit that I've been waiting eight years for someone to make the first move in pursuing peace with me. From my perspective, this person is the “more guilty” party in our conflict (whatever that means). But today's passage has convicted me to take the first step toward peace. This verse is also the source of the second of seven biblical principles I'm sharing for resolving conflict at work….Principle #2: Make the First Move to resolve any conflict.This principle is directly connected to the first one we explored last week to “Praise the Prince of Peace for the grace and mercy he has shown you.” If Jesus waited for the guilty party to make the first move in resolving conflict, you and I would be eternally dead in our sin. But Christ did move first. He pursued peace with us while we rejected him. And so, to follow Jesus fully includes following his example to blaze trails of peace with others. Which is why Paul said, “as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (see Romans 12:18). Hebrews 12:14 says the same thing: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy.” The call here is proactive rather than reactive in the image of Christ.What conflict is nagging at your attention most this Monday morning? Is it a team member you're frustrated with for missing a deadline? Is it a boss whose stubborn opinion on a policy infuriates you? Is it a client who you've heard has been speaking poorly about you behind your back? Whatever it is, resolve to make the first move to pursue peace. To make this more practical, allow me to suggest you take a couple of minutes to complete these four actions.First, create a note in a place that will be easily accessible throughout this series. It could be a note on your phone, desktop, journal—wherever.Second, write down the name of the person you've been thinking of during this devotional. The one you have the most unresolved conflict with. Can't think of anyone? Think about who you don't want to see on Zoom, in the breakroom, or at the grocery store today. That's the name!Third, jot down Romans 12:18 underneath their name to remind yourself of the biblical call for you to make the first move in pursuing peace.Fourth, pray for the name on your list and ask the Lord for wisdom as you pursue peace with them. Next week, we'll get even more practical about what God's Word says about how to do exactly that!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: 7 Biblical Principles for Resolving Conflict at WorkDevotional: 1 of 7Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)In his excellent book The Peacemaker (which was hugely influential in my writing of this series), author Ken Sande defines conflict as “a difference in opinion or purpose that frustrates someone's goals or desires.”With that definition as our guide, it's easy to see that “conflict” is everywhere in our work. But the command to make peace is everywhere in God's Word. After declaring “Blessed are the peacemakers,” Jesus went on to dedicate huge portions of the Sermon on the Mount to the art of resolving conflict (see Matthew 5:21-26, 38-41, 43-48, 6:14, and 7:1-5). Commenting on that sermon, pastor Tony Merida says, “Clearly being a peacemaker is a big deal to Jesus!”It was also a big deal to Jesus's followers. As Ken Sande points out, “every Epistle in the New Testament contains a command to live at peace with one another.” Take 1 Peter 3:11 as just one example. Peter says believers “must seek peace and pursue it.”I am not a natural peacemaker. And I'm willing to bet that you'd admit the same. So, what will compel us to pursue peace per Christ's command? That brings me to the first biblical principle for resolving conflict at work…Principle #1: Praise the Prince of Peace for the grace and mercy he has shown you.You and I were once God's enemies (see Romans 5:10). But “since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (see Romans 5:1). And staring at the peace Christ has secured for us is the key to sharing peace with others (see Matthew 18:21-35). What does it look like practically to stare at the peace we've been given? Here are three ideas.First, get on your knees and remember what God has saved you from. One of my closest friends starts every day this way as a means of praising the Prince of Peace.Second, add a time of confession to your quiet time routine. Why? Because as Paul David Tripp points out, “No one gives grace better than [the one] who humbly admits that he desperately needs it himself.”Finally, breathe in grace and mercy. Sande says that Christians ought to be people who “breathe grace” in conflict. But “we cannot breathe out what we have not breathed in.” So, try this physical practice. Literally exhale slowly as you confess your sins. Then breathe in slowly as a means of physically representing the life-giving peace that Christ secured on your behalf at Calvary.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Work in HeavenDevotional: 5 of 5They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads….And they will reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:4-5)Today concludes our series exploring 5 biblical truths about work on the New Earth. Here they are again:Truth #1: We who are in Christ will delight in our work for eternity.Truth #2: We will be rewarded with varying degrees of responsibility based on how we live and work today.Truth #3: We can expect some continuity between our work now and our work on the New Earth. Truth #4: We will have unlimited time to do the work we want to do for God's glory.Truth #5: We will reign with Christ intimately forever and ever.I saved the best truth for last. Because it is that foundational truth—that we will finally be with God fully—that makes all the others so wonderful.But read Revelation 22:5 again. We won't just be with God. We will work and reign with him, which is exactly what he intended from the beginning (see Genesis 1:26-28).On October 22, I'll be publishing a picture book called The Royal in You to help you and your kids catch a vision of just how glorious this eternal vocation will be. As I say in the book…The best part by far is King Jesus will be there,making everything new with His peace, love, and care.God says He won't rule this world all on His own—He'll send princes and princesses out from His throne.So don't think for one second that Heaven is boring,because we'll be reigning, creating, and exploring!Not just for our joy, and surely not for our glory,but to love and to worship the One who is worthy.It'll be so much better than your wildest dreams—ruling heaven on earth next to Jesus our King.How should we respond to that vision of our eternal tomorrow today? Here are three ideas. First, seek God's face until you see his face. Not just when you're studying your Bible before work. But right now. At your desk. Before your next appointment. Be relentless in seeking communion with him all day every day.Second, play a mental tape of what King Jesus might say about your work today. Hebrews 6:10 says that “[God] will not forget your work.” And my guess is that those memories will fuel many of our interactions with Christ on the New Earth. What might Jesus say about how you worked today? Play it out mentally as a means of cultivating your hope and faithfulness. Finally, baptize your imagination of work on the New Earth as a means of spurring your heart to worship. You can do this by memorizing some of the Scriptures we've read in this series, completing some of the practices, or by picking up a copy of The Royal in You. But don't miss this: worship of Jesus should be the response to all of that imagination. Eternity is not ultimately about us. It's not ultimately about enjoying the work of our hands. It's about worshiping “the One who is worthy!” I pray this series has helped you worship him even more enthusiastically.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Work in HeavenDevotional: 4 of 5No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him…And they will reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:3,5)There are dozens of jobs I would love to try: write a musical, be a travel planner, design a bookstore, serve as personal photographer to a president or dignitary. The list goes on and on. Why don't I give one of these careers a shot? Because loving my neighbor through my work requires the pursuit of excellence in my work. And the pursuit of excellence requires loads of focus and time.You simply can't “do it all” if you want to do your most exceptional work for the glory of God and the good of others. But you can in the life to come! That brings me to the fourth of five biblical truths about work on the New Earth we're exploring in this series: We will have unlimited time to do the work we want to do for God's glory.Psalm 37:4 says this: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” On the New Earth, we will perfectly “delight in the Lord,” because we will be free from all sin. And so, there will be no disconnect between our desires and God's. As Dr. Randy Alcorn explains, “our desires…will be sanctified and fulfilled on the New Earth”—including our desires for our work.But that could be way off in the future. How should you and I respond to this truth today? Here are three ideas. First, praise God for freeing you from the burden of finding your “dream job” in this life. He has found it and has it waiting for you on the other side! Second, choose which skill you will master for God's glory and the good of others in this season of life. Need help? Consider using my book, Master of One, as your guide. Finally, put vocational dreams that distract you from mastering that skill on a Someday list. I have many of the vocational dreams I shared above in a “Someday” folder in my to-do list app, even though there's almost zero chance I even touch those projects in this life. So why put them in there at all? Because it's a way to remind myself that this life isn't my only chance to “do it all.” If my desires align with God's I'll get to do everything I want to do very soon. But right now, I'm going to focus intensely on mastering the work I've chosen to do in this season for the glory of God and the good of others. I pray this devotional frees you to do the same!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Work in HeavenDevotional: 3 of 5Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on…for their deeds will follow them. (Revelation 14:13)A fortune teller once told Walt Disney that he would die on his birthday before he turned thirty-five. As Disney biographer Bob Thomas explains, “the prediction had a profound effect on him…he seemed to be in a race against time to accomplish all the work he wanted to do.” Can you relate to Walt Disney? Of feeling like time is speeding up and the drumbeat of hurry only seems to be growing louder? I used to feel that burden far more than I do today. What has God used to free me? Biblical truths about work on the New Earth in general and this one in particular: We can expect some continuity between our work now and our work on the New Earth. What kinds of continuity? At least these two. First, there will be some continuity in what we work with as Isaiah 60 promises that some of the best cultural goods from this life will miraculously be resurrected in the next one. The New Earth is not a return to the Stone Age. We can expect the very best work of all time as our starting point. Second, there may be some continuity in our occupations on the New Earth. Revelation 14:13 says, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on…for their deeds will follow them.” Pastor John Mark Comer points out that the Greek word for “deeds” here can also mean “occupation.” In other words, you may be working today at the craft God intends for you to develop for his glory for eternity! (If that sounds terrible to you, don't miss next week's devotional.)What should our response be to this promise of continuity between our work now and then? A remarkable lack of hurry today.This has been one of the most profound and surprising benefits of meditating on the promise of work on the New Earth personally. I am far less hurried than I used to be. I am at peace with the fact that I (and you) will die with unfinished symphonies. Because I know that if the things on my to-do list are on God's to-do list, he will either 1) choose someone else to complete that work, 2) complete the work on his own, or 3) bless me with the opportunity to finish the work when I rise from the nap that is death.I pray that as you meditate on these biblical truths, you will experience that same peace and lack of hurry in your own work today!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Work in HeavenDevotional: 2 of 5“Well done, my good servant!” his master replied. “Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.” (Luke 19:17)We're in a series exploring 5 biblical truths about work on the New Earth. Today's passage hints at the second: We will be rewarded with varying degrees of responsibility based on how we live and work today.Now, if this sounds new to you, it's not your fault. Many churches never talk about eternal rewards. But Jesus did constantly. And one of the many rewards he promised is increased job responsibilities on the New Earth. This is one of the lessons of Jesus's parable of the minas (see Luke 19:11-27), which is similar to but distinct from the parable of the talents. The parable features a master (who represents Jesus) who asks a few servants to steward his minas (a form of money) while he goes on a journey. Upon his return, the master turns to the servants who have faithfully stewarded his minas and says, “Well done…Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities” (Luke 19:17). Many scholars believe this parable is pointing to a clear truth: While all Christians share equal status as adopted children of God, we will not all share equal station and responsibility on the New Earth. The great painter and activist Joni Eareckson Tada is properly motivated by this truth: “I don't want to be among the least,” she told me on the Mere Christians podcast. “I want to do everything I can to be as happy in heaven and as useful to the King as I possibly can.”Amen. I do too. And I‘m sure you want the same. So, what can we do today to prepare ourselves for maximum service to King Jesus on the New Earth? Here are two ideas. First, articulate where you see yourself professionally in 5 million years. Seriously. Make a list of jobs you'd love to do for God's glory free from the curse of sin and the tyranny of time. God gave you an imagination and the promise of eternal work you love. I'd be shocked to learn that he isn't delighted in watching you—his child—use your biblically informed imagination to cultivate greater hope for the future and faithfulness in the present. Second, write down one thing you can do today to prepare yourself for those roles on the New Earth. Instead of speaking first in today's meeting, humbly listen to others first. Volunteer to take on the shift or task nobody else wants. Instead of applying for a promotion, consider recommending a qualified friend who needs the raise more than you do. For whoever “wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Work in HeavenDevotional: 1 of 5See, I will create new heavens and a new earth….my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain. (Isaiah 65:17, 22-23)I talk a lot about the work God's Word promises we will do for eternity. But I know this is a wild and new idea for many. If that's you, let me bring you up to speed in three bullets:Nobody will spend eternity “in heaven.” God promises to bring heaven to earth and to dwell with us here forever (see Revelation 21:1-5).While the present heaven is marked by rest (see Revelation 14:13), the New Earth is marked by active service and worship (see Revelation 22:3-5).We will worship God not just by singing but by long enjoying the work of our hands (see Isaiah 65:17-23).With those foundational truths under our feet, I'll use the rest of this series to share 5 biblical truths about the nature of work on the New Earth. The first is seen clearly in today's passage: We who are in Christ will delight in our work for eternity.Why? Because we will be with God fully (see Revelation 21:1-5) and our work will be free from the curse of sin (see Revelation 22:3). Which is exactly what God intended from the beginning (see Genesis 1:26-28)!It's hard to imagine how glorious this will be. Thankfully, Rudyard Kipling imagined it for us in a beautiful poem I've hung on my office wall:When Earth's last picture is painted,And the tubes are twisted and dried,When the oldest colors have faded,And the youngest critic has died,We shall rest, and faith, we shall need it,Lie down for an aeon or two,'Till the Master of All Good WorkmenShall put us to work anew. . . .And no one shall work for the money. And no one shall work for fame.But each for the joy of the working,And each, in his separate star,Shall draw the Thing as he sees It For the God of Things as They are!But that could be way off in the future. What does this mean for your work today? Let me suggest a practical response to the truth that we will one day delight in our work for eternity.First, make a physical or digital list of things you hate about your current work. Difficulty hearing God's voice, co-workers who can't meet deadlines, the exhaustion that comes from grinding just to make ends meet, etc.Second, put a line through the middle of each item and write “Isaiah 65” at the top of your list as a means of physically representing the hope of today's passage.Finally, pray every time you see the list. Pray for relief from those thorns and thistles. Praise God for how these challenges drive you to him. And praise him for the promise that one day, you will “long enjoy” your work free from these current frustrations.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Double-Sided WisdomDevotional: 5 of 5Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)Today concludes our series exploring couplets of biblical truths that God calls us to hold in tension. Here's our final piece of double-sided wisdom: Desire Good Things AND Be Content in All Things.Many Christians don't feel permission to desire. But Scripture gives it to us repeatedly! In Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus encouraged his followers to “ask” for “good gifts.” And Psalm 37:4 urges us to "take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." So, while Scripture condemns fleshly desires (see Galatians 5:16-17), it clearly commends good and God-honoring desires like landing a promotion so you can serve more people or earning more income so you can give more generously.But the flip side of this double-sided wisdom is to “be content with what you have” (see Hebrews 13:5). So, God delights in his children's good desires and he also calls us to be content. The question I'm often asking is this: How can you and I cultivate contentment while simultaneously desiring the next thing? Here are three ideas.#1: Measure progress backward rather than forward. When I'm chasing after a big goal, I default to measuring progress forward—between where I am now and where I desire to be. But I'm learning the wisdom of measuring progress backward—between where I am now and where I was before as a means of cultivating gratitude and contentment as I strive for what's next. I have actually done this physically in my office, by putting the books God has already allowed me to publish on the bookshelf behind where I sit as I look forward onto my laptop and whatever I'm striving for next.#2: Praise God for anything he has given you beyond food and clothing. In 1 Timothy 6:6-8 Paul says that “if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” Why? Because that's all Jesus promised his followers materially (see Matthew 6:28-33)! And that perspective should lead us to awe and contentment that God has given us anything else in addition to what he promised.#3: Refuse to strive one day a week. One thing that makes biblical Sabbath distinct from the other six days of the week is the intentional cessation of striving. My family loves the life-giving discipline of simply enjoying what God has already given us while refusing to discuss or work on what's next. If holding the tension between desiring good things and being content with what you have is a challenge for you, give Sabbath a shot.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Double-Sided WisdomDevotional: 4 of 5Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. (2 Corinthians 3:4-5)We're in a series exploring five pieces of “double-sided wisdom” we see throughout God's Word. Today we come to the paradoxical couplet of biblical charges to Be Confident AND Stay Humble.The call to confidence is found in passages like 2 Timothy 1:7 which says that “the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power.” But you can hear the flip side of this double-sided wisdom—the call to humility—in passages like Ephesians 4:2: “Be completely humble and gentle.”How do we reconcile these two seemingly conflicting commands? By recognizing that the source of our confidence is the Lord! That's what Paul is telling us in today's passage. His confidence in his work was not sourced in what he thought of himself or what others said about him. His confidence and competence came from God. So it is with you and me. We don't exude confidence at work because we think we're awesome. We're confident because we humbly recognize it is the Awesome God who works in and through us (see Philippians 2:13).So, what does it look like practically to model both confidence and humility in the workplace? Here are three ideas.#1: Set bigger, more God-honoring goals. Christians should be known for setting the biggest goals on the planet. Because we are confident that God is able to do “immeasurably more than we…imagine” through us (Ephesians 3:20). And the bigger our goals, the more we will be humbly driven to our knees, forced to rely on the Lord.#2: Stay confident that you can but humble that you know how. It's one thing to be confident about the vision you think God has called you to at work. It's another thing to be arrogant about how to get that work done. Christians should be set apart in holding the “how” of projects loosely, open to the wisdom God has given to believers and non-believers alike.#3: Boast about your weaknesses. It's become cliche when you're asked in an interview, “What's your greatest weakness?” to reply with a strength disguised as a weakness. But what if you boasted about an actual weakness and pointed out how, despite that fault, God has enabled you to achieve so much in your career? That would preach! And it would be following Paul's example of boasting in weaknesses “so that Christ's power may rest on [you]” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Confidence and humility need not be opposites for the believer. Embody both as God works through you today!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Double-Sided WisdomDevotional: 3 of 5…because so many people were coming and going that [the apostles] did not even have a chance to eat, [Jesus] said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. (Mark 6:31-32)Job 11:6 says that, “True wisdom has two sides.” Which is why we're exploring five pieces of “double-sided wisdom” in this series—couplets of paradoxical truths that God calls us to hold in tension. Here's today's: Enjoy Self-Care AND Embrace Self-Sacrifice.We see Jesus modeling the first side of this double-sided wisdom throughout the gospels as he “often withdrew to lonely places” for some peace, quiet, and prayer (Luke 5:16). And in today's passage, we see Jesus offering self-care to his followers (see Mark 6:31-32).And yet, the dominant theme of Jesus's life was not self-care but self-sacrifice, the flip side of this double-sided wisdom. For “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (see Matthew 20:28).So, Jesus made time for self-care and he modeled self-sacrifice. How did he hold these ideas in tension? Matthew 14 offers us a case study to that end.Verses 1–12 records Jesus hearing the news that his beloved cousin John the Baptist had been beheaded. The first half of verse 13 tells us that “when Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately.” Clearly, he longed for self-care for his mind and soul.But the crowds wouldn't let him have it. The second half of verse 13 tells us that “hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.” If there were ever a time when it would have been understandable for Jesus to choose self-care over self-sacrifice, it's right here. But remarkably, Jesus doesn't. Verse 14 says that “when Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”Many times, self-care and self-sacrifice were not at odds for Jesus. But when they did compete, he always chose self-sacrifice. You and I are called to do the same (see Matthew 20:26-28, Romans 12:1, and Luke 9:23).Practically, this might look like scheduling workouts before work for your own self-care—but being willing to sacrifice that workout when your spouse needs help on a difficult morning with the kids. Or prioritizing your self-care by setting clear boundaries on when you will and will not work—but being willing to sacrifice those boundaries when a hurting co-worker wants to grab a drink after work.Embrace the way of Jesus by making time for self-care today. But ask God to prepare your heart to choose self-sacrifice when necessary for his glory and the good of others!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Double-Sided WisdomDevotional: 2 of 5Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)We're in a series exploring five pieces of “double-sided wisdom” we see in Scripture. Today we come to the couplet of biblical commands to Plan for Tomorrow AND Focus on Today.The virtues of the first side of this double-sided wisdom can be seen in Proverbs 21:5: “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” Jesus echoed this idea in Luke 14:28-30 where he assumes that a good worker will “first sit down and estimate the cost” before “building a tower.”In these passages and others, we see that it is wise to plan for the future. But the flip side of this double-sided wisdom is to “not worry about tomorrow” and focus on today (see Matthew 6:34).So, how can we both plan for tomorrow and stay focused on today? Here are three practices that work for me.#1: Schedule recurring times on your calendar to plan for the future. If you fail to plan for tomorrow, you plan to fail and worry tomorrow. Which is why I have three recurring items on my calendar: a quarterly, weekly, and daily review to plan what I will work on in the upcoming quarter, week, and day. This level of planning massively helps me not worry about tomorrow. Why? Because, to quote David Allen, “You can only feel good about what you're not doing when you know what you're not doing.” These reviews help ensure that I know what I'm choosing not to do.#2: Block tomorrow's worries from your physical view. The Daily Review I mentioned above is the only time I look at my calendar for tomorrow. Once my review is complete, I set my calendar back to show today only. That simple habit removes a ton of temptation to worry about tomorrow, allowing me to focus on what I believe God has called me to do today.#3: When you're feeling worried about tomorrow, take it to the Lord in prayer. Anxiety is the symptom that we're not holding the tension between planning for the future and focusing on today well. When you experience symptoms of anxiety—tense muscles, a wandering mind, shallow breathing, etc.—“by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).With those practices in hand, go forth and focus fully on the good works God has for you today!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Double-Sided WisdomDevotional: 1 of 5“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39-40)My readers frequently tell me that they love my ability to extract wisdom from God's Word and apply it to their work. I love that too, of course. But one of my greatest fears is that in our well-intentioned pursuit of living by “biblical principles,” we will become what author Jen Wilkin calls “Bible-worshippers” rather than “God-worshippers.”That's the red flag we see Jesus raising in today's passage. Commenting on these verses, pastor Skye Jethani articulates this danger poignantly: “Discovering and applying [biblical] principles does not actually require a relationship with God….the Christian can put these new principles into practice without God being involved. God can be set aside while we remain in control of our lives. He may be praised, thanked, and worshipped for giving us his wise precepts for life, but as with an absentee watchmaker, God's present participation is altogether optional.”Is that convicting to you? It is for me. And those words bring me to the first piece of double-sided wisdom of this series: the biblical commands to Study the Word AND Seek the Author.The biblical evidence for the “Study the Word” side of this double-sided wisdom is clear: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). “I cannot truly be a God-worshipper without loving the Bible deeply and reverently,” says Jen Wilkin. “Otherwise, I worship an unknown god.”But study of God's Word is a means to an end, and the end is God himself. That's the flip side of this double-sided wisdom and what Jesus was getting at in today's passage. “Eternal life” is not found in God's Word, but in Jesus Christ—the Word who became flesh.So, how can we hold this tension well? How can we study the Scriptures while ensuring we are seeking the Savior above all else? Here are three ideas.#1: Calculate how much time you spent studying the Word versus seeking the Author this past week. Of course, there's no biblically prescribed ratio of Bible study to prayer. But this quick analysis can be a helpful diagnostic of where you're at today.#2: When you close your Bible, open your heart in prayer. Martin Luther was a master at this. As much as Luther loved the Word, he loved God more and refused to finish his “quiet time” before conversing with his Father about what he just read. To see how Luther did this, read page 18 of Redeeming Your Time for free here.#3: Resolve to spend more time listening to God than any other teacher of the Word—including myself. Because while biblical principles are good and valuable, they are worthless without a relationship with the One who authored them.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Wisdom for Work from ProverbsDevotional: 7 of 7She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. (Proverbs 31:19-20)The woman of Proverbs 31 described in today's passage teaches us an important lesson about work and generosity—namely, that the two can be inextricably linked. As my friends at The Theology of Work Project explain:Because she is successful in spinning, she has something to give to the poor, and conversely, her generous spirit is an essential element of her capability as an entrepreneur/executive. In other words, Proverbs claims that generosity and fiduciary duty do not conflict. Being generous to the needy out of the household's resources does not reduce the owner's wealth, but increases it.Because God will always, always reward the kindness we show to the poor (see Proverbs 19:17). Sometimes in this life and sometimes in the life to come.Jesus said this most famously in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy…But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy” (Matthew 6:19-20).“Christ's primary argument against amassing material wealth isn't that it's morally wrong but simply that it's a poor investment,” says Dr. Randy Alcorn. “Jesus doesn't say to do it because it's right but because it's smart. Because such treasures will last, Jesus argues from the bottom line. It's not an emotional appeal; it's a logical one.”Amen. So, how can you and I invest in what lasts by being kind to the poor through our work today?#1: Respectfully question any practices that might be disadvantaging the poor. Last year I followed the “best practices” of my industry by giving people a 20% discount if they paid for my retreat upfront instead of spreading payments out over three months. Who did that disadvantage? The very people who most needed the financial break! Thankfully, God revealed this error in my ways and gave me a chance to repent. Take a second right now to ask God which practices within your organization might be harming the poor.#2: Advocate for a benevolence fund at your company to help employees in times of crisis, such as unexpected medical expenses, housing issues, or natural disasters.#3: Volunteer your professional skills to a non-profit that supports the poor.Again, don't take actions like these just because they are the right response to the gospel. Take them because they're wise. Proverbs 19:17 says that “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Take God at his word and make the wise investment to be generous to the poor today!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Wisdom for Work from ProverbsDevotional: 6 of 7Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (Proverbs 27:5-6)According to the Harvard Business Review, “By roughly a three to one margin, [employees] believe [that corrective feedback] does even more to improve their performance than positive feedback.” In other words, most people accept the wisdom of today's proverb that an “open rebuke” is “better” than “hidden love.”There's just one problem. While the vast majority of us prefer constructive criticism to pats on the back, “only 5 percent believe managers provide such feedback.”So, what can you and I do to encourage others to correct us in love? Here are four ideas.#1: Offer the gift of open but loving rebuke to others. This can be tough for Christians who feel the call to be kind. But you and I aren't called just to be nice. We're called to love as Christ loved us (see John 13:34), and he often rebuked those he loved (see Matthew 16:23 and Luke 9:37-56). “You don't get crucified for being a people pleaser,” says pastor John Mark Comer. Jesus was a people lover, not a people pleaser, who knew that true love says hard things graciously. We must do the same. And when we do, we will make it easier for others to correct us in love.#2: Give at least one boss, client, co-worker, or friend explicit permission to rebuke you when necessary. Here's a sample message you can copy and send right now: I've been reflecting on Proverbs 27:5-6 and I feel convicted to invite more open and honest feedback into my life. If you ever see something in me that you'd recommend I change to better serve others or better reflect my values, PLEASE don't hesitate to tell me!#3: Choose a question you will begin asking to draw constructive feedback out of friends and colleagues. Here are three ideas:Where do you think I am least like Jesus?What's something you've wanted to tell me but haven't for fear that you'd offend me?What can I start or stop doing that would make it easier to work with me?#4: Embrace the awkwardness. As the author of Radical Candor points out, if you ask one of the questions above, “No matter how good your question is, the person you ask won't want to answer it. The only way out of this uncomfortable moment is through it.” So ask one of the questions above and then say nothing. Mentally count to five and refuse to break the awkward silence. Seeking out “open rebuke” is not easy. But remember, “wounds from a friend can be trusted” (Proverbs 27:6). Embrace the discomfort for your sanctification, God's glory, and the good of others!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Wisdom for Work from ProverbsDevotional: 5 of 7Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by. (Proverbs 26:10)In 2012, the CEO of Yahoo was fired just months after getting the job when an investor discovered that the CEO had lied on his résumé about holding a bachelor's degree in computer science.The CEO lost his job. The company was forced to pay out $7 million in severance. And Yahoo's employees lost a leader and direction.Who was to blame for all this destruction? The CEO, of course. But also, to quote the Wall Street Journal, the "botched vetting" of the CEO by Yahoo's Board of Directors who seem to have been in a rush to fill the position.That's a dramatic example of what can happen when we fail to heed the warning in today's passage. The manager who hires too quickly is bound to hire a “fool.” She is “like an archer who wounds at random,” harming herself, the “fool” she hires, and the rest of her team.How can we avoid being the archer today's proverb is describing? Let me offer a couple of ideas for both employers and employees.First, some advice for employers.#1: Refuse to settle for eights. I have a personal rule that I will pass on hiring someone unless my team and I can say the person is a “nine or ten” on a ten-point scale measuring how confident we are that the candidate is the right fit for the role. The few times I've broken that rule I've regretted it. Learn from my mistakes. If a candidate is a 7 or an 8, keep looking for their good and yours.#2: Never hire alone. Always bring others into the process. Even if you're a solopreneur, ask a spouse or trusted advisor to interview your first hire. “In an abundance of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14), and a reason to slow down your hiring.Now, some advice for employees.#1: Offer to help your employer hire new team members. Take it from me: Oftentimes managers don't ask employees to be involved in the hiring of new employees because they don't want to put more on your plate. But you can serve them by offering to help. That serves your boss, your colleagues, and yourself by decreasing the chances you all will be “wounded” by a hire made in haste.#2: Don't be the fool God's Word is describing. “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings” (Proverbs 22:29). Develop your skills in order to be of greater service to the kings of this earth, and more importantly, the King of Heaven and Earth, Jesus Christ.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Wisdom for Work from ProverbsDevotional: 4 of 7It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one's vows. (Proverbs 20:25)How many times have you and I fallen into the “trap” this proverb is warning us against?I've said “yes” to projects at work only to later renegotiate the deadline I could have never hit. I've agreed to volunteer at church only to grumble and complain about the commitment on Sunday morning.Sound familiar?You and I need practical ways to avoid the trap of saying “yes” too quickly and flippantly. Here are four practices that typically work for me.#1: Delay every “yes” by at least 24 hours. It is really hard to say “no” if you feel pressured to give an answer to a request for your time the moment you're asked. So, the next time you're asked to dedicate your time to something, do whatever you can to delay responding for at least a day. Buy yourself some time by saying, “Let me sleep on it,” “Let me check with my spouse,” or “Let me check my calendar and current commitments and get back to you.”#2: Assume the commitment will take 50% more time than you expect. It is human nature to underestimate how much time a new commitment will take, both in hours spent on the core task and what Cal Newport calls the “overhead tax” of saying “yes” (unexpectedly long email threads related to the commitment, meetings associated with the project, etc.). So, before you agree to take something new on, assume the commitment will take 50% longer than you think.#3: Seek out godly counsel before saying “yes” to something that exceeds a certain time threshold. If I'm considering dedicating more than 25 hours to something, you better believe I'm going to ask some Christian friends for wisdom before I say “yes.” Why? Because “the way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15).#4: Remember that saying “no” is oftentimes the most loving thing you can do. Contrary to our caricature of Jesus as a nice guy who always said “yes,” sometimes Jesus said “no” out of love (see Mark 1:35-38). We must do the same. When you “dedicate something rashly and only later” consider what you signed up for, you're not going to be able to give your “yes” your all. Which means you're likely to do harm to yourself and those you promised to serve.Whatever decision you're facing today, ask the Lord for his grace in helping you avoid the “trap” of saying “yes” too quickly.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Wisdom for Work from ProverbsDevotional: 3 of 7One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. (Proverbs 18:9)There were many causes of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986. But a culture of “slack” work was undeniably a contributing factor. In his book, Midnight in Chernobyl, Adam Higginbotham explains that:The quality of workmanship at all levels of Soviet manufacturing was so poor that building projects…were forced to incorporate an extra stage known as ‘preinstallation overhaul.' Upon delivery from the factory, each piece of new equipment—transformers, turbines, switching gear—was stripped down to the last nut and bolt, checked for faults, repaired, and then reassembled according to the original specifications, as it should have been in the first place.That's an extreme example of what Solomon says in today's passage—namely that mediocre work “destroys.”Of course, it's unlikely that poor performance in your job is going to lead to a nuclear meltdown today. But it can absolutely destroy trust, relationships, and the credibility of your faith with your clients or employer (see Titus 2:9-10). You know that, of course. But what are you going to do about it? Allow me to suggest two actions to help us avoid becoming the slack worker Solomon calls out in today's proverb.#1: Ask the Lord to reveal a specific aspect of your work that you're growing “slack” in. And when the Holy Spirit convicts you, immediately jot down an action you'll take to course correct. Because as my friend Randy Alcorn says, “Nothing is more fleeting than the moment of conviction.”#2: Commit to a dollar figure and a deadline for investing in your professional growth. Avoiding “slack” work should not be our standard. Christ-followers should be marked by a peaceful but relentless pursuit of higher levels of excellence in our work for the glory of God and the good of others.But that takes an investment of time and typically money. So if you don't already have a budget for investing in your professional growth (via courses, conferences, books, etc.), make it your goal to set one this week along with a deadline for spending it. And note that if you work for someone else, they often have professional development budgets or will create one upon your request.Whatever works for you works. But we must invest in our vocational skills. Because as author Matt Perman says, “Shoddy work…is a failure of love.” Love those you work with by taking steps to proactively fight against the temptation to do slack, destructive work today!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Wisdom for Work from ProverbsDevotional: 2 of 7Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans….In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps….The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. (Proverbs 16:3, 9, 33)In his terrific memoir, On Writing, novelist Stephen King says, “I used to tell interviewers that I wrote every day except for Christmas, the Fourth of July, and my birthday. That was a lie. I told them that because…I didn't want to sound like a workaholic dweeb…The truth is that when I'm writing, I write every day…not working is the real work."I deeply resonate with that last line for two reasons. First, because I (like you) love the work God has given me to do. Second, because rest is an act of faith—it's a way of trusting that the world will keep spinning even if I'm not doing the spinning!Yes, Scripture frequently commands us to hustle and work hard (see Colossians 3:23). But it also tells us to trust that it is God—not us—who produces results in our work (see Deuteronomy 8:18). And that trust ought to lead to a deep rest for our souls (see Matthew 11:29).What does it look like to hold this tension between “trust, hustle, and rest” well? Solomon answers that question systematically in Proverbs 16.First, Solomon calls us to trust by instructing us to “Commit to the Lord whatever you do.” Before we roll up our sleeves, we are to commit our work to God and recognize that whatever fruit our work produces is “from him” (Romans 11:36).Second, Solomon calls us to hustle by saying, "In their hearts humans plan their course.” While God has clearly called us to express our trust in him, he has also given us brains to “plan,” strategize, and execute our plans at work.Finally, Solomon calls us to rest. “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” In other words, if we have trusted in God for the results of our work and done our part to work “with all [our] heart” (Colossians 3:23), we can rest knowing that “the lot is cast” and the results are in God's hands.I don't know about you, but I need constant reminders to trust, hustle, and rest. If you need the same, let me encourage you to write down one of the following three reminders wherever you'll see them as you work:Trust (Deuteronomy 8:18), Hustle (Colossians 3:23), and Rest (Matthew 11:29)“Without God, we cannot. Without us, God will not.” — Saint Augustine“My job is faithfulness. God's job is fruitfulness.” — John PiperWant to see one of these on the lockscreen of your phone? Download a graphic here.With today's passage in mind, I pray that you will work diligently with your hands and gently with your soul, trusting that the outcomes are in the Lord's hands!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Wisdom for Work from ProverbsDevotional: 1 of 7When there are many words, wrongdoing is unavoidable, but one who restrains his lips is wise. (Proverbs 10:19)Hamilton might be the fastest-moving musical of all-time. Sung at an average of 144 words per minute, the show is more than twice the speed as average-paced productions like Phantom of the Opera, largely because of how much the show's protagonist, Alexander Hamilton, has to say.When Hamilton first meets Aaron Burr on stage, Burr is blown away by how much Hamilton can talk. So he offers Hamilton some free advice: “Talk less…Fools who run their mouths off wind up dead”—a not so subtle foreshadowing of the day Hamilton's “many words” will lead Burr to kill him in history's most infamous duel.That's a good, albeit dramatic, case study of what God is warning us about in Proverbs 10:19. I love how the New Living Translation renders today's passage: “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”We'd be wise to apply that advice to our work where “many words” can be particularly harmful to others and ourselves. How might we apply this wisdom to our work today? Here are three practices.#1: Be content not having content on every topic. We're living at a time where many of us feel pressured to say something about everything—largely because we see our colleagues weighing in on every topic on social media (including topics they know nothing about). Refuse to be that fool. Can't help yourself? Consider quitting these services.#2: Don't share more information than you have to. I once had a professor define advertising as “telling the truth, and nothing but the truth, but not the whole truth.” That always made me queasy. But I do believe this wisdom holds in certain situations where telling the “whole truth” could defame one of God's image bearers. Take the example of telling your team that you had to let somebody go. Giving every detail and reason for that decision is unnecessary and unwise. “Restrain your lips” accordingly. #3: Use software to check yourself before you wreck yourself (and others) in writing. Tools like Grammarly can be super helpful in pointing out phrases in emails and other written messages that may come across as offensive to others and where fewer words might be prudent.Proverbs 17:27 says that “a truly wise person uses few words.” Be wise with your words for the glory of God and the good of others today!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Working Without IdolatryDevotional: 4 of 4Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:21)We've seen a few helpful definitions of idolatry throughout this series. Let me offer my own: An idol is anything you can't live without. It's anything other than God that functions as your deepest source of joy.And so, if we want to keep our work from becoming an idol, we would be wise to voluntarily practice self-denial—resting from the good gift of work as a means of proving to ourselves that God is the only thing we ultimately need.Pastor Joe Rigney whose book Strangely Bright inspired me to write this devotional series says this about self-denial: “Biblical self-denial is the voluntary giving up of good things for the sake of better things…[it] keeps our legitimate love of earthly things [like work] in check. We enjoy them when we have them. But we don't covet and crave them….We can voluntarily give them up for the sake of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.”That brings us to our fourth and final principle for enjoying our work without turning it into an idol. Principle #4: Limit your labor regularly. How? Here are two ideas for practicing this principle.First, take a full day off once a week. AKA Sabbath. While this ancient rhythm is not commanded under the New Covenant, it still stands as wisdom. Sabbath is one way to once a week declare that you have joy apart from the gift of work—a way of loving and worshiping God apart from your vocation.Second, choose the Word before work, rather than work before the Word. According to a 2016 study from Deloitte more than half of Americans check their phones within five minutes of waking up. Be counter-cultural here. Before you check email or the day's news, commit to time in God's Word. Limiting your labor in this way is a powerful way of saying, “As good as your gift of work is, Lord, I choose You before all things.”My goal with this series has been to provide us with a biblical and practical framework for enjoying our work without turning it into an idol. Here's a summary of the four principles we explored (which just so happen to spell out IDOL for those who love memorable acronyms): Insist that Jesus is better than your work or any other created thingDelight in your work freely and fully as a means of better appreciating the “betterness” of JesusOffer your talents generously in service of others Limit your labor regularly via self-denying rhythms of restYour work is a good thing, believer. But only God is the ultimate good. Enjoy his good gifts today, and as you do, I pray you will delight in the Gift-Giver all the more!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Working Without IdolatryDevotional: 3 of 4Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)[Devotional] Last week, I argued that paradoxically one way to ensure your work doesn't become an idol is to enjoy your work most fully as a means of better appreciating the “betterness” of Christ.But how does that advice match up with today's passage? Isn't Paul telling us to ignore “earthly things” like work and focus our mind on exclusively heavenly things? Not exactly. A few verses later Paul explains what he meant by “earthly things” saying this: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5-6). The word Paul used for “earthly things” in verse 2 is the exact same word we translate “earthly” in verse 5. What's the point? Paul is condemning our engagement with “earthly things” in a sinful way. He is not condemning “earthly things” in and of themselves. To do that would contradict his command a few verses later to “work…with all your heart” in your earthly job (see Colossians 3:23-24).So, this passage isn't telling us to love our work less; but it does offer us an essential principle for ensuring our work doesn't become an idol. It's found in the middle of Colossians 3:5 where Paul says that “greed…is idolatry.”If greed and idolatry are one and the same then combating greed must be a part of our playbook for enjoying our work in a non-idolatrous way. That brings me to our third principle for this series: Principle #3: Offer your talents generously in service of others.What might this look like practically? Here are three ideas. #1: Offer to mentor before you're asked. I guarantee you that there is someone ten years behind you professionally who would love to be mentored by you but doesn't have the courage to ask. Bless them by making the first move. #2: Teach a competitor who needs your help. When my friend was vying for a starting spot on a football team, he took time to help a competitor learn his routes. Why? Because that's what Jesus would do. And by offering up his talents to serve another, he was keeping idolatry of his vocation in check.  #3: Volunteer to use your professional skills to serve those who can't afford them. Your local church, an orphanage, your favorite non-profit—whatever God puts on your heart. Those are just three ideas for offering your talents generously to others. Find your own way to do this today as a means of combating greed and ensuring you aren't turning the good gift of work into an idol.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Working Without IdolatryDevotional: 2 of 4“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” (Psalm 4:7)We're in a series exploring four principles for enjoying our work without turning our jobs into idols. Last week we unpacked Principle #1: Insist that Jesus is better. Today we turn to Principle #2: Delight in your work freely and fully.Now, I know that may seem oxymoronic. After all, if Jesus is better than my job, shouldn't I try to love my work less, not more? I'd argue that's impossible to do and foolish to try for two reasons. First, God created you to enjoy your work. Work was God's first gift to humankind in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 1:26-28) and one of the many gifts he has in store for us on the New Earth (see Isaiah 65:17-23). So, to try to love your work less is to fight against God's design.Second, the more you enjoy God's gifts, the more you can appreciate the “betterness” of God. You see this idea all throughout the Psalms where joy in the Creator is frequently described in comparison to the joy the Psalmist found in some created thing. For example, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere” (Psalm 84:10). “Your love is better than life” (Psalm 63:3). "You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound” (Psalm 4:7). “How shall we confess this meaningfully, if the grain and wine have never put any joy in our hearts whatsoever?” says pastor Joe Rigney. “To say that we desire nothing besides [God] is an empty compliment if it is literally true. It would be as if to say, ‘I desire nothing besides you because I've never desired anything at all.' But surely what the Psalmist means is, ‘I have desired many things in my life, many things of earth. But compared to you they are nothing.'”Now, this is not a license to self-indulgence and materialism—a nuance I will draw out more fully next week. But the general principle is clear: If you want to enjoy your work without making it an idol, the solution isn't loving your work less, but more—freely and fully delighting in your God-given vocation in a God-honoring way so that you may more deeply and honestly appreciate the truth that Jesus is better. Jen Wilkin put it this way: “Find freedom in knowing that your human creativity is an echo intended to inspire worship of your Creator. And then, [work] freely to your heart's delight.”Amen! With that in mind, ask the Lord for the gift of delighting in your work as a means of delighting more in him today.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Working Without IdolatryDevotional: 1 of 4Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37)There's a tension we see throughout Scripture. On the one hand, we are invited to delight in creation and our work with creation. “Every good gift” is from God (James 1:17) given to us “for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17). And that includes our work! Ecclesiastes 2:24 says “a person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil” because those good things are “from the hand of God.”These verses are good examples of what I call the “delight in creation” passages of Scripture. But on the other side of this perceived biblical tension, we find the “delight in Creator” passages that command us to love God above all things. This was summarized most succinctly in Jesus's articulation of the Greatest Commandment above.So, we are called to delight in the gifts the Creator has given while delighting in our Creator above all things. Because separating these things is the essence of idolatry. Pastor Joe Rigney (whose excellent book Strangely Bright has aided me greatly in the writing of this series) says that idolatry “is the separation of the gifts from the giver and then a preference for the gifts over the giver.”In this series, I'll put forth a framework to help you and I enjoy God's gifts (especially our work) in a way that ensures we enjoy the Giver most—a path to delighting in our jobs without them becoming God-dishonoring, soul-sucking idols. Here's the first of four principles to guide us towards that goal. Principle #1: Insist that Jesus is better.The next time you celebrate a massive accomplishment with your team, read an email about how your product changed someone's life, or hold a baby in your arms after hours of hard labor, resolutely insist that Jesus is better than his gifts—even if you have a hard time seeing how. What does this look like practically? Here's one idea: Reserve one adjective for God alone. I know a man who refuses to call anything but God “awesome.” So when he delights in created things—an incredible pizza, seeing his book hit the bestseller list, watching his daughter get married—he might describe those experiences as “good,” “great,” or even “exceptional.” But never “awesome.” Why? “Because God alone is awesome,” he says. Let me encourage you to choose an adjective that you will reserve for God alone as a means of practically insisting that Jesus is better. And may that small decision put you on a path to enjoying your work in a non-idolatrous way today.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Wisdom for Work from DavidDevotional: 7 of 7I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. (1 Chronicles 29:17)After giving his considerable “personal treasures of gold and silver,” for the building of the temple, David took the time to examine his heart to see if he had given that treasure with God-honoring intent (see 1 Chronicles 29:3-17). Why? I think because David understood how easy it is to do godly things with a mix of godly and ungodly motives.I experienced this first hand just a few months ago. I had just made a decision within my business that triggered a significant financial sacrifice. But I was convicted through prayer that it was the right thing to do.Implementing this decision required that I notify some fellow believers. And as I did, these friends consistently commented on how “proud” they were of me for taking this action.It didn't take long for me to realize that I was quietly anticipating this praise. While my motives for making this financial sacrifice were mostly pure, there was a part of me that was secretly hoping my friends would commend my decision.My confession here and David's words in today's passage point to an important truth: It is so easy to take God-honoring actions at work with less than God-honoring motives—to do the right things for the wrong reasons. What are we to do with that truth? Let me suggest three responses.First, confess your sinful motives to God and others. Maybe you're in a season of working “with all your heart” as Colossians 3:23 commands, but if you're honest, you're not really doing so “for the Lord.” You are grinding away “for the love of money” (see 1 Timothy 6:10). If that's you, confess that less than God-honoring motive to God and your Christian community.Second, be amazed at the grace God has shown you which is big enough to cover not just the “bad things” you do, but even the “good things” you do for the wrong reasons.Finally, don't wait for a pure motive before you obey God's commands. There had to have been some part of David that was motivated by the praise of others to give his treasure. But that didn't keep him from obeying God's commands.So it should be with us. God is calling you to take some action at work this week. Are your motives pure? No. But if you're confessing those less than righteous motives and the balance of your heart is to honor God, take action. If you're waiting for perfectly pure “honest intent,” you're going to be waiting forever.