God's Waiting Room

But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD,

I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

-- Micah 7:7

The Information Age has launched countless time-saving innovations that have greatly simplified our lives. For example, we can book our flight and hotel reservations on a website rather than visiting a travel agency or waiting on hold for a customer service representative. And instead of queuing up at the bank to deposit our paycheck, a tap or two of our smartphone completes the task in mere seconds.

That said, waiting is still an inescapable reality for most of us. We’ll spend an average of two years of our life in lines. Obtaining a driver’s license can mean or morning (or more) at the DMV.

And if you’re a Green Bay Packers football fan in search of season tickets, you’ll have to wait in a 30-year-long line of 130,000 applicants. The Packers website reveals that season tickets to Lambeau Field — the team’s stadium — have been sold out since 1960.

Few people like to wait, and multi-tasking to make the most of down-time has become a valued life skill. But waiting isn't always a frustrating waste. In fact, it’s actually an essential part of God's plan for our lives — that inexplicable process that enables us to become. This concept might be difficult to grasp because the human viewpoint of time differs greatly from his. The Apostle Peter puts it into perspective this way: "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends," he wrote. "To the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day."

As Christ-followers, we must understand that what happens while we're waiting is often more important than what we're waiting for. Just ask anyone who has spent grueling hours at the hospital contemplating the health and future of a loved one. Did their soul-searching experience bring a closer dependence on God? It should have. After all, it's when we're so humbled and powerless that we realize we can do nothing on our own.

We might live in the fast-paced Information Age, but the world still revolves around waiting. With this in mind, let's make the most of our time in God's Waiting Room — a place where we can look for ways and opportunities to say yes to our Creator with a sense of expectancy and hope.

"Be still, and know that I am God," he tells us through Psalm 46:10. "I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Stress Test

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

-- Psalm 4:8

The holidays are idealized as special, fun-filled times with friends and family. The flip side, however, is that stress is also part of Christmas. And it can be more serious than a dinnertime disagreement with your in-laws. Stress is actually a life-and-death proposition that leads to cardiovascular disease, workplace injuries, sleep disturbances, ulcers and even cancer. In fact, the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine reports that health care expenditures are nearly 50% greater for workers who endure high levels of stress.

It's unfortunate that the Christmas season comes with such a hefty price tag. And we're not talking about those MasterCard and VISA bills that will arrive in January. Like the socks or sweaters

you might receive from an aunt or distant cousin, Christmas-related stress comes in a variety of colors and styles. It can be physical, emotional and financial. And not only can Christmas mean a strain on your bank account or an exhausting cross-country flight to your parents' house, December 25 can bring emotional turmoil when it's a reminder of a broken relationship or the death of a loved one.

The vibrant reds and greens of Christmas often seem deep blue for many hurting people. And that's when God enters the picture.

The Bible tells us that long before the world was formed, God knew our names. He knew when and where we would be born, what sort of lives we would lead, and when we would die. And he also knew that we would need someone to save us from the consequences of our many failures and shortcomings. So God decided to do it himself by personally living out the human experience on Earth through his Son, Jesus Christ.

By literally becoming God with us, Jesus truly understands the stress of Christmas (which, ironically, is meant to celebrate his birth). Leading up to that first Christmas when Jesus was born among a stable-full of less-than-spotless farm animals, Joseph and Mary -- his earthly parents -- were quite familiar with stress. They experienced emotional stress from the scandalous rumors swirling around Mary's pregnancy. They endured physical stress from the grueling trip to Bethlehem mandated by the Roman census. And with money in short supply, financial stress was abundant.

But because he personally experienced it all, Jesus really does understand our stress and sorrows, whether it's December 25 or any other day of the year. What's more, he's promised his followers -- that's you and me -- that he will never leave them or forget them. The holidays can be stressful, but it's through our Savior that we can always rest assured.

Leading the Season

Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift — articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.

-- 1 Kings 10:25

It’s as much of a holiday tradition as watching It’s a Wonderful Life while sipping hot chocolate under the mistletoe.

Marketers call it leading the season or Christmas creep. It’s the rollout of Christmas-themed merchandise and decorations prior to the normal start of the holiday shopping season. This

year, with just 25 days between the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, many stores began displaying festive tinsel, blinking lights and artificial evergreens well before Halloween.

Retailers and websites have been prompting us for weeks to make our gift purchases. Just count the repetitious holiday-themed commercials on TV. Meanwhile, the Christmas catalogs are piling up on the coffee table. And odds are that your email in-box is also struggling with the Yuletide onslaught of consumerism.

But there is some holiday relief for the weary. If you don’t feel like finding a parking spot at the mall, that perfect gift for that someone special is just a tap or two away with your smartphone. Money, however, is particularly tight these days for many of us, so every purchase has to count. We need gifts that will make an impression. We need value. And above all, we want bang-for-the-buck.

There’s nothing wrong with trying to stretch a dollar this Christmas. But let’s consider that a gift’s real value has much more to do with its meaning and the person behind it. That’s why we must give with an attitude of generosity: one that exceeds what we expect to receive. Our gifts should also affirm the value of the recipient. But most importantly, our gifts — whatever they might be — should be given out of love. It really IS the thought that counts.

Christmas is just days away and the countdown clock is ticking. But before we log onto Amazon.com or tune into the Home Shopping Network, let’s follow the examples of Jesus, who was and is the ultimate gift-giver. His greatest present was the eternal salvation he bought for us through his death on the cross. It’s an extravagant gift, given freely out of love, that we can never repay. But unlike the retailers’ tradition of leading the season, it’s one that’s never too soon to enjoy.

Soul Food

The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.

-- Proverbs 16:26

What’s your idea of a satisfying meal?

For some folks, a grilled steak, baked potato and tossed salad always hit the spot. Others love pizza, Chinese or seafood. And let’s not forget those who crave vegetarian. 

Our tastes and taste buds might vary, but its hunger that unites us. Likewise, we all share another appetite that has nothing to do with cheeseburgers and ice cream. It’s the spiritual hunger that’s hard-coded in our DNA. Inside, everyone has a gnawing desire to fill a gaping void. Some try through negative pursuits involving drugs, alcohol, compulsive spending or gambling. Others rely on long hours in the office or escaping reality through online gaming, television or even travel. But after the thrill is gone, the hunger always returns. And any satisfaction that was gained soon fades away.

Jesus addresses this spiritual starvation by proclaiming (and proving) himself to be

the “food” that always satisfies. It's when we accept him as our Lord and Savior that he fills the void and directs our lives. We just need to be willing to ask, listen and obey.

“I am the bread of life,” Christ tells us in John 6:35. “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Let’s keep in mind that spiritual hunger isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, we all need a drive — a certain level of intensity — to continue developing as Christ-followers. That’s because the old saying is true: life is a journey rather than a wide spot in the road. God has so many things for us to see, experience and comprehend during our brief existence on Earth. And that's how we grow and mature into Jesus’ likeness. 

Unfortunately, too many Christ-followers become spiritually emaciated because they stop searching for meaning in their lives. Instead, they should seek to grow in faith by making the most of the people, places and situations they encounter each day. Every Christ-follower should nourish their spiritual muscles through regular Bible study, prayer, worship, small group participation and other positive habits. After all, there’s nothing like a good workout to whet ones appetite.

Are you hungry for more than just a bland spiritual meal? Jesus invites you to feast at his table.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-- Romans 6:23

Are you a traditionalist who prefers giving (and getting) wrapped gifts with colorful bows on top?

According to the analysts at Statista.com, you may be part of a dying breed. They report that gift cards are among the most requested items on holiday wish lists. In 2018, American consumers spent a whopping $160 billion on gift cards — both plastic and digital. That’s up from about $91 billion just eight years earlier.

Gift-givers and getters alike appreciate gift cards because of their simplicity and practicality. But card issuers love them even more because of something called spillage: the unused funds on the cards that yield huge profits for the retail industry. A recent Consumer Reports survey reveals that nearly 20% of Americans admit to having three or more gift cards with balances. And of the nearly $130 billion spent on gift cards in 2015, about $1 billion was never redeemed.

Why such waste?

Many people feel that redeeming those few cents-worth of remaining value

isn’t worth the hassle. Others actually forget their gift cards and fail to ever redeem a penny. And some retailers compound the issue by deducting service fees and deactivating abandoned or rarely used cards.

It’s easy to see that there are millions of gift-getters out there who fail to use — or even appreciate — the full potential of what they’ve received. But the issue is much greater than inactive or partially-redeemed cards from Starbucks or Target. In fact, there’s one prepaid gift of immeasurable value that’s available for redemption by anyone who’s simply willing to ask for it. But much like an unused gift card from a department store or coffee shop, many people won’t bother to take full advantage of it.

This incredibly expensive gift, of course, is the salvation Jesus Christ bought for us through his death on the cross. From the very beginning, God recognized mankind’s desperate need for a Savior to pay the price for the wrong ways we’ve lived our lives and treated others. And since that price was enormous, the Savior had to be of unlimited means and perfect in every respect. His solution was to come to us in the form of a helpless baby, grow up and live perfectly among humanity, and then teach and show the people how to live the life God wants us to have. Jesus was literally God in the flesh and God among us.

God was — and is — willing to do whatever it takes to bring you and me home. And he’s already paid our way with a costly gift purchased through the death of his Son, Jesus. It’s a price no one is rich enough to repay. But it’s also a worthless gift if we fail to open it, redeem it and make the most of it through a changed life that’s lived for him.

“For it is by grace you have been saved — through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God …” the Apostle Paul explains in his letter to the Ephesians. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We’ve all received a priceless gift card from the ultimate giver. Now it’s up to us to untie the bow.

Living on a Prayer

“Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation. The spirit wants to do what is right, but the body is weak.”

-- Matthew 26:41

We read in Luke's gospel that one day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples made a simple — yet profound — request that Christ-followers remember to this day.

"Lord," the follower said. "Teach us to pray, just as John (the Baptist) taught his disciples."

Jesus' famous response is what we know today as The Lord's Prayer:

"When you pray, say: Father, help us to honor your name. Come and set up your kingdom. Give us each day the food we need. Forgive our sins, as we forgive everyone who has done wrong to us. And keep us from being tempted."

Jesus wasn't teaching his followers some magic formula to compel God to

grant their most heartfelt wishes. Instead, he was modeling his intimate, ongoing conversation with his Father. And the religious leaders of the time were highly offended by the notion. "After all," they said, "Who dares go before God but our High Priest?"

The answer, of course, was much closer than they bargained for.

Jesus also taught his 1st Century disciples that he could do only what he saw his Father doing. That's also a reminder to 21st Century Christ-followers that to do God's will in our communities — and the entire world for that matter — we must be in constant conversation with him. It’s through ongoing prayer that our hearts, wills and vision become closer to the Father's. And his ways become our ways.

The notion of prayer evokes different images to different people. If you grew up attending a traditional church, you might think of kneeling on pews (with eyes closed and heads bowed) between the sermon and the choir's stirring rendition of How Great Thou Art. To others, prayer is something done aloud with hands outstretched and eyes looking skyward. But Jesus' lesson to us is that prayer boils down to the simple act of conversing with God. And it's a remarkable concept. The Creator of the Universe — the One who counts the number of hairs on our heads — wants a personal relationship with us! 

In these uncertain days marked by political unrest, economic uncertainties and natural disasters, it's reassuring to know that every Christ-follower has a direct line to the Father. 

"I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you," wrote the Psalmist. "But from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer."

With Friends Like These

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

-- Proverbs 18:24

Who is your BFF (Best Friend Forever)? And for that matter, what’s the mark of a true friend?

Writer Elbert Hubbard defined a friend as “… someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” Actress Marlene Dietrich remarked that the friends who matter are the ones you can call at 4 a.m. But President Harry S. Truman was less sentimental about friendship. “If you want a friend in Washington,” he said, “get a dog.”

Maybe President Truman was onto something. After all, dogs are known to be

loyal and committed. And it just happens that loyalty and commitment are rare qualities that God values in his people. Joshua — one of the great servant leaders of the Old Testament — displayed this trait when he challenged the tribes of Israel to choose who they would serve: the false gods of their ancestors or the one True God.

“But for me and my household,” declared Joshua, “we will serve the Lord.”

Jesus also seeks total commitment from his modern-day followers. Rather than would-be believers who might help build his kingdom if it’s not too inconvenient for them, Christ demands an all-or-nothing relationship from those willing to give the little they have to eventually gain everything.

Does this sound unrealistic? Jesus’ disciples once thought so. One day, a rich young man asked Christ what he had to do to gain eternal life. Knowing what was in the man’s heart, Jesus reminded him about following God’s commandments about theft, adultery, murder, lying, and honoring one’s parents. When the man replied that he had kept these laws since childhood, the Savior told him that he lacked just one thing: the need to sell all his possessions.

Jesus knew that rather than loving God with all his heart, soul and mind (the first of the 10 Commandments), the rich young man was more devoted to his money. The would-be follower was crushed by Jesus’ harsh revelation and soon turned away.

How about you? As Christ-followers, we demonstrate our commitment and loyalty — as well as our friendship with him — by showing kindness to those Jesus calls “the least of these.” They might be famine victims in Africa, tsunami survivors in Asia or fellow citizens in America who are picking up the pieces after a wildfire or tornado. But then again, those who most need our kindness might be much closer: perhaps next door, down the street or even across the living room. They might be total strangers. Or they could be your family members, your friends ... or even your BFFs.

Conversations with God

But please listen to my prayer and my request. I am your servant, and you are the Lord my God. Hear this prayer that I am praying to you today.

– 1 Kings 8:28

We enjoy some very special privileges as Christ-followers. One of the greatest is the ability to go to God in prayer about our blessings, troubles, concerns and everything else that’s going on in our lives. Prayer is a give-and-take conversation. And it’s all possible through our faith in his Son, Jesus.

But if we have such a special relationship with the Creator, why is it that some

of our prayers go unanswered? After all, there are times when even the most seasoned Christ-followers feel like their petitions go no higher than the bedroom ceiling.

Let’s keep in mind that prayer is a bit like a long-distance phone call. Sometimes the message comes through loud and clear — as if the other person is in the next room. But sometimes there’s static, or the call doesn’t go through at all.

There are several reasons for these dropped calls to God. First, we need to make sure that the line is clear by dealing with any unconfessed sin in our lives. Likewise, if we’re carrying a grudge against someone — like a spouse or co-worker — it needs to be ironed out before we can expect God to listen to us. And faith also plays a big part in the equation. If we pray, but don’t think God has the power or desire to deal with our issues, why even ask in the first place?

But what happens when we pray sincerely and with good intentions, but our prayers still go unanswered? What’s important to remember is that God really does answer all prayers. It’s just that sometimes the answer is “no” or “not now.” As the Creator of all things past, present and future, he knows the big picture — the people, places and circumstances that make all the difference in the world to our situation. It's only later that we'll realize that God had a much better plan for us all along: not for what we wanted, but just for what we needed.

The Jealous Type

You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

-- James 4:2

Millions of Americans invest in their health by working out at the gym, eating organic foods and avoiding excess sugar and fat. Nevertheless, our nation still has a heart condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women. Every year, it claims the lives of about 610,000 Americans — as well as about 17 million others around the globe.

Heart disease is more than a physical infirmity — it’s also a debilitating and deadly spiritual condition. One variety is jealousy, and there are several well-known cases recorded in the Bible. The first occurs within the opening chapters of Genesis between brothers Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve. Cain was jealous that God preferred Abel’s offering over his own. And unable to control his bitterness and envy, he killed Abel, and then tried to mislead God about his crime. When his Creator asked about Abel’s whereabouts, the murderer responded, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

It’s later in Genesis that we find another instance of jealousy and deception. This time it involves Joseph, the son of Jacob — the patriarch of the nation of Israel. Jacob doted on Joseph, and the boy’s older brothers resented it. Joseph also didn’t win their affection by telling them about his symbolic dreams, which suggested that they would one day bow down to him. What’s more, Jacob had presented Joseph with a special coat of many colors, which signified the prominence of his handsome young son in his heart. One day, when Joseph ventured out in the fields to find his brothers, they spied him from afar and conspired to kill him. But they soon had a change of heart and instead decided to sell him into slavery.

Although the brothers’ horrendous deed led to years of heartbreak and struggle for both Joseph and Jacob, God used their jealousy as a vehicle for good. Joseph was both blessed and protected while in captivity. And he gained favor in the eyes of Egypt’s pharaoh — so much so that he eventually became the second-most powerful man in that nation. When a famine spread across the region, Joseph would even use his God-given wisdom to rescue millions of people from starvation — including his brothers and father. And yes, the brothers did bow down to Joseph, just as his dreams had predicted.

“You meant to do me harm, but God meant it for good,” Joseph explained, “so that it would come about as it is today, with many people’s lives being saved.”  

Are you the jealous type? Rather than envying each other’s accomplishments, possessions or good fortune, the cure for jealousy — the so-called Green-Eyed Monster — is to adopt an attitude of gratitude for our own many blessings. Let’s take this passage from the Book of Jonah to heart:

“But as for me, I will sacrifice to you with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation and deliverance belong to the Lord!”

Generous Toward God

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

– Proverbs 22:9

Compared to most of the world's population, Americans are incredibly rich. When we're hungry for a snack, all we have to do is walk to the kitchen for some fresh fruit -- or more realistically -- a bag of chips or a tub of Rocky Road ice cream. And if we're running low on supplies, a quick trip to the supermarket or gourmet shop fills up the fridge in no time. We quite literally enjoy an embarrassment of riches.

Even Americans who receive government assistance are rich by the world's standards. But if you’re a Christ-follower (rich or poor), you’re called to give richly from your possessions and resources. That’s because God blesses you and me in a myriad of ways, day in and day out. He's also the ultimate giver, and he wants us to be that way, too.

Think about the many blessings he gives us every day. They vary, but tend to

include things like our health, job, home, family, friends and church. And what about God's ultimate gift: forgiveness of our sins and an eternal relationship with him through our faith in Jesus?

God also wants every Christ-follower to abandon greed. But to do that, we must trust him rather than our riches. After all, bank accounts and retirement funds can be wiped out overnight through unexpected circumstances and economic uncertainties. Just ask anyone with a 401k!

So what's the benefit to us? 

As the apostle Paul explains in 1 Timothy, giving back richly toward God and his purposes renders much more than just a warm feeling of self-satisfaction. Think of it as a guaranteed high-yield investment with dividends that you'll enjoy forever in the world to come. God challenges us to overturn our preconceived notions about money and possessions. Through his design, giving richly becomes getting more:

"By doing that, they will be saving a treasure for themselves as a strong foundation for the future," Paul says. "Then they will be able to have the life that is true life."

It's every Christ-follower's mission to serve as God's hands and feet on earth by feeding the hungry, healing the sick and housing the homeless. So by making generosity a spiritual habit and thus being generous toward God, we'll become more like him to help change our world for the better. Jesus sums up this principle through this reminder to us in Matthew 25:40:

"... 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"

Anger Management

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

-- Matthew 5:22 

Comedian George Carlin once observed that an "idiot" is anyone on the highway who's driving slower than you. A "maniac," on the other hand, is anyone who passes you in traffic.

Although Carlin's commentary was definitely tongue-in-cheek, many people actually act out these same perceptions through road rage. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines road rage as an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle, or an assault precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway.

Road rage experts say the most obvious form of this criminal offense is aggressive and excessive speeding — particularly on congested highways or in bad weather. Causes include increased

congestion on the roadways, running late (too many obligations), increased levels of intra- and interpersonal stress, and the need to "save face" and overcome feelings of being disrespected by another driver. Most telling, however, is that the NHTSA also identifies chronic or pathological anger as a leading cause of this disturbing phenomenon.

Maybe that's not too surprising. After all, anger is one of mankind's earliest and strongest emotions, and it played itself out within the first few chapters of the Bible in the form of the world's first murder.  

We couldn't control our anger back then in that quiet, agrarian setting, and we still can't today on our 24/7 traffic-snarled highways. But Christ-followers are to live at a much higher standard. In fact, gentleness is one flavor of the fruit of the Spirit that proves God is living through us. With this in mind, note that gentleness isn't another word for wimpiness. Jesus was gentle — but he was hardly a wimp. Instead, biblical gentleness is the transformation of our innate anger into the power to do God's will in the world. Gentleness is therefore power focused on the positive.   

If you're a Christ-follower who's still a bit of a road warrior, take heart. The transformation from our old self into a new creation is a work in progress that's on God's timetable. It's a change that takes place bit by bit and day after day along each step of our faith journey. But the problem is that the journey's pathway is narrow, twisting and full of unexpected hairpin curves. And when we don't keep our eyes on the  destination, we tend to end up in the ditch.

Jesus told his disciples to expect bumps and potholes in the road. "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come," he explained. "But woe to that person through whom they come."

Road rage is more than a crime: it's a sin. But the good news is that we're free from sin's power and don't have to accept its dominance in our lives. It comes down to our ultimate trust and dependence on Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. So when we slip up and give in to temptation and bad habits on the highway — or a thousand other places — we can freely ask for help from the One who has already paid the ultimate price for all our mistakes: past, present and future.

Guilty As Sin

Lord, the God of Israel, you are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in your presence.

– Ezra 9:15

It takes just a single word — positive or negative — to paint a vivid picture of someone. For example, we might link words like genius or visionary to Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs, or leader to George Washington and Martin Luther King. Likewise, we might label Ted Bundy or Hitler as murderer.

How about you?

Would you label yourself as generous, energetic, successful … or maybe humble?

Or what about lonely, abused or divorced? How about addicted?

Ask that question to 20 different people, and you’ll probably get 20 different answers. But the apostle Paul tells us through the Book of Romans that there’s one word that fits everyone: GUILTY.

He explains that everyone (that’s you and me) has in one way or another broken God’s perfect Law. That’s because we’ve all lied, cheated, stolen and killed — either literally or figuratively. We’re all guilty as sin. And according to God’s Law, the death penalty is the just response to our wrongdoings.

Scripture affirms this. It’s in Romans 6:23 that we read, the wages of sin is death.

But here’s the good news. This same Bible passage adds that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. Paul writes that God paid the penalty we all deserve through the death of his own son (Jesus) on the cross. So as far as our Creator is concerned, we’re considered INNOCENT and are now free to live out our lives and follow his ways.

Have you put your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If so, he’s cancelled your debt, and your label is now not guilty.

Mission Possible

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me

    to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

    and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

-- Luke 4:18-19

Many companies and organizations have a mission statement, which is a written declaration that sets out their purpose, work and goals. For example, CSX Corporation strives to “… be the safest, most progressive North American railroad, relentless in the pursuit of customer and employee excellence.” Levi Strauss & Co.’s mission statement says, “People love our clothes and trust our company. We will market the most appealing and widely worn casual clothing in the world. We will clothe the world.” Meanwhile, The Hershey Company — the manufacturer of delicious treats such as Twizzlers, Hershey’s Kisses and

Reese’s peanut butter cups — gets right down to business with its stark mission statement: “Undisputed Marketplace Leadership.”

A common denominator here is the principle of return on investment, primarily to the organizations’ customers and stockholders. After all, these companies understand that they would not exist without their investors’ ongoing confidence and support. Likewise, their backers expect to see positive results from the company in one form or another.  

This is hardly a new concept. About 2,000 years ago, Jesus told a story about a master who gave three servants a considerable amount of money (“talents”) to invest while he was away on an extended trip. After a while, the master returned to claim what was his. He was very pleased with the first two servants, who had invested what he had given them and doubled the master’s money. But it wasn’t so with the third servant, who feared his master’s stern reputation and sought to avoid a loss. He played it safe and literally buried the money in a hole in the ground. The master was displeased, to say the least! Instead of commending the servant’s concern for safeguarding his resources, he was furious because of the wasted opportunity to invest and multiply his treasure.

That’s where Jesus’ mission statement for his followers enters the picture. God has given us various resources, skills, opportunities and circumstances for investing in the spiritual lives of others. They could be as close as your spouse, sibling or child. But they might be a coworker, neighbor or someone God puts in your path at a most unexpected moment.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you,” Jesus assured his apostles, “and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

How are you using the talents God has given you? Are you investing them boldly in the lives of others — or are you simply playing it safe? It’s through Jesus that our mission is possible.

Rest for the Weary

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.

-- Matthew 11:29

Climbing the career ladder, beating tight deadlines and closing the deal are all marks of success in Western society. Millions of Americans even skip or cut short their well-earned vacations because they’re either afraid to fall behind at work or they can’t find time on their busy calendars. A study by jobs and recruitment website Glassdoor reveals that on average, American workers use only 54% of their eligible vacation time, and nearly 10% take no paid time off at all. That adds up to forfeiting about 200 million vacation days that can’t be rolled over to the next year.

Jesus had the world’s most important job — saving humanity from its sins — and his routine was often nonstop. In just three years he cured disease, raised the dead and even calmed

a raging storm. So with such a tight schedule, it seems like Jesus would have little or no time to take a break or even socialize. But it turns out that he did make a special effort to enjoy quality time away, and often with those who mattered the most to him. And it’s safe to say that he still managed to accomplish his mission. Recorded in Mark’s gospel, Christ’s admonition to his busy disciples paints the hectic picture:

“Now come along to some quiet place by yourselves, and rest for a little while,” said Jesus, for there were people coming and going incessantly so that they had not even time for meals.

Likewise, Luke’s gospel records a time when Jesus visited the home of his friends Martha and Mary. While Martha busily prepared the food and straightened the house for a gathering, her sister Mary decided to take time out and listen to Jesus’ message. Martha was very upset with Mary’s attitude and complained to Jesus about the apparent injustice. But instead of scolding Mary, Jesus commended her for choosing the most important thing: quality time with him. Jesus understood the importance of off-time, and he was even known (and criticized) for attending a party or two!

Wouldn’t it be nice to interrupt our never-ending schedules to recharge our batteries and forget the everyday grind? The Bible teaches us that well-earned rest is part of God’s design for us to do good work. So with that in mind, let’s learn from Jesus’ example of rest for the weary.

All In a Day's Work

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

-- Luke 10:2

Thinking about switching jobs … or considering a new career?

Economists say that the nation’s workforce is enjoying one of the best job markets in decades, with unemployment levels now at 50-year lows. Even so, landing that dream job is often a job itself — even in the best of circumstances. Employers are on the lookout for experienced, can-do candidates who meet some exacting criteria. And those who fail to impress won’t make it to that critical second interview.

The first hurdle is proving that you can do the job. A smart strategy is to share stories with the interviewer about how you’ve met challenges and succeeded at other organizations.

Personality is also a factor. Even if you’re well-qualified, you probably won’t get the job if the employer doesn’t sense the right chemistry. And are you a risk? In other words, do you have a reputation for being difficult to manage? Meanwhile, you must be affordable. There are many well-qualified professionals in the job market, so employers can eliminate you from consideration if they think your salary expectations are unreasonable.

Fortune 500 companies aren’t the only ones with such high standards. For example, Christ-followers are tasked with being a bright light of hope in a dark, troubled world. And since it’s such an important job that can yield eternal, life-changing rewards, only certain candidates are considered. First, they must be available on an as-needed basis. (Expect to work some overtime, weekends and holidays!) They must also follow the Boss’ (Jesus) instructions — even if what he says doesn’t make much sense at the time. Christ-followers should be humble in their work and share the credit whenever it’s due. And to top it off, they need to demonstrate initiative and seek opportunities to help others and make a difference.

Is it any wonder that most folks won’t respond to Christ’s help wanted ad? To borrow the U.S. Navy’s old recruiting slogan, “It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure.” Here’s how Luke’s gospel records Jesus’ words to his would-be candidates:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

Landing a job can be difficult — even in today’s vibrant economy. But here’s some good news: Jesus is hiring right now for his organization’s growing team. And many of his highest producers had no previous experience in the field. Sure, the working conditions aren’t always ideal. But there are plenty of rewards along the way … and the retirement plan is out of this world!

A Higher Purpose

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

-- Romans 8:28

The 101 Uses for Duct Tape article on Self-Reliance Central’s website celebrates the super-strong, cloth-backed tape found in millions of businesses and households around the globe. Although the origin of duct tape is disputed, there’s no doubt that a division of Johnson & Johnson developed a similar product in 1942, which the military used throughout WWII to make quick repairs to everything from weapons to aircraft to jeeps.

Duct tape can also mend broken automobile fan belts, cracked windshields and

split vinyl siding. It’s also great for removing lint from clothing. And if you believe the article on Seeker.com, it’s come through during emergencies to stabilize a cross-country skier’s damaged knee, prevent frostbite and even save the Apollo 13 astronauts. But ironically — for all its versatility — duct tape can fail when used for its original intended purpose: wrapping heating and air-conditioning ductwork!

People, like duct tape, are also designed with an intended purpose or calling. And how can Christ-followers find theirs? The Bible reveals that God has given us certain gifts, talents and resources for advancing his kingdom on Earth. For example, vocalists and musicians might use their gifts in the local church to lead worship on Sunday mornings. Other believers have talents related to behind-the-scenes applications, like bookkeepers and office managers, who help the church make the most of its finances. Meanwhile, these same gifts, talents and resources have applications in the secular world, which can also help identify their owner’s purpose or calling.

The search should begin with regular prayer, Bible study and discernment — the ongoing functions of living, thinking and acting to distinguish between right and wrong, and the essential from the secondary. Meanwhile, our daily circumstances, trials and crises also blend into the mix. But it’s our service that often reveals the answer. That’s because we’re called to be Jesus’ hands and feet on earth. And it’s no coincidence that Christ-followers who complete a mission trip or other acts of service say that they gained more from the experience than those they sought to help.

“In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served,” Jesus reminds us. “He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people." 

As Christ-followers, let’s turn our faith into action — and see what God reveals to us — by accepting his invitation to help brighten a dark, dying world that’s so much in need of guidance, truth and love.

Even duct tape can’t do that.

On the Job

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

-- Matthew 25:23

In July 2019, Bloomberg,com published its Work Wise report covering the happiest workers in America. And if you believe its findings, a big paycheck doesn’t guarantee satisfaction on the job. Just one of the top five happiest professions — pediatrician — came in at the high end of the salary range. Firefighters reported the highest level of fulfillment, followed closely by mine-cutting operators, communications professors and guidance counselors.

The saying goes that you’ll never work a day in your life if you love what you do for

a living. That’s when a run-of-the-mill job becomes a passion. But whether you’re thrilled with your career or you’re simply putting in the hours for a paycheck, the Bible has some words of wisdom that put things in perspective:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men …”

Whether you’re the CEO of an international corporation or a 9-to-5 ditch-digger, you should do your job for God’s glory. And Christ-followers should consider the workplace as much a place of worship on weekdays as church is on Sundays. What’s more, we must work — and live — with the end in mind. Because once we pass into eternity, job titles and salaries will be worthless. Rich or poor, famous or obscure, we’ll all have to account for what we did in our lifetimes with the gifts and talents our Creator gave us.

The world’s message is that focusing on money, position and upward mobility can lead to successful career, and that a successful career equates to a successful life. But the world has it backwards. Everything we have -- our money, possessions, family and health -- is due to God’s generosity. He gives it freely. And he can take it away without notice.

God’s definition of success surely comes as a surprise to many in the workforce. Instead of living self-centered lives on the fast track to stock options and a corner office, our motivation should revolve around being his hands and feet in the home, workplace and community. It's our faithfulness to Him that's the real measure of success on the job. 

Practical Compassion

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

-- John 13:35

As Christ-followers, we're often reminded about the importance of helping our neighbors and showing compassion to strangers. Jesus taught this principle through The Good Samaritan: one of the most familiar stories of the Bible.

It’s in Luke’s gospel that we read about a traveler who was attacked by robbers and left for dead. A priest saw the wounded man but elected to pass him by. Later, a Levite (a member of one of the tribes of Israel) also saw the man lying on the ground. And he too avoided him. But when a Samaritan — a member of a despised ethnic group — happened to come by, he bandaged up the injured stranger, checked him into a motel and even prepaid the bill!

Two supposedly "good" people had a chance to help the helpless, but they went

out of their way to do nothing. Instead, it was the Samaritan who found God's approval because he had shown practical compassion to his neighbor (a total stranger).

Although that's a lesson we all need to learn and live by, helping neighbors and strangers isn't always easy. We too often let selfishness and pride get in our way. We don't want to get our hands dirty. And then we end up like the supposedly "good" people in Jesus' story. But let's consider the other side of the coin: How are we showing compassion to our fellow Christ-followers — not strangers — but rather other Believers?

The moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we become a member of an enormous family of faith spanning race, nationality, gender and generation. We may be very different, but it's our faith in Jesus that bridges the gaps. For all of us, Jesus is at the core of our thoughts and motivations. And we all share a common eternal destiny and a loving Father.

This truth sets apart Christ-followers from all others in the world. But since the world is watching us and questioning our motives, it’s crucial that we demonstrate lives of authentic compassion.

How should we do that? It’s by celebrating each other's triumphs, mourning each other's losses and sacrificing our own selfish interests that we exhibit much more than transformed lives and ongoing spiritual growth. Above all, we need to follow Jesus' example: one where the word love is an action-word lived out every day through a changed heart.