via TJC
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15 NIV
“We urge you brothers and sisters to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life” 1 Thessalonians 4:10-11
This week we are writing on victory in our professions. I have had the opportunity to progress through the military ranks and then corporate ranks, as a commander and a senior executive. Along that path I have certainly learned, incorporated and communicated what my business masters made known to me. It’s also been seasons of drought and also harvest, based upon actually following what my real Master shared.
We need to dispel a false belief many have that you will eventually be less “busy” (Burdened Under Satan’s Yoke), or have enough resources in your career. The fact is that as you “succeed” in your career you will have more responsibilities. It’s up to you to ensure your profession is fruitful; you must take the steps to be like the real Master.
Some simple pieces of advice; much of this captured well in Mark Comer’s book “Ruthless elimination of hurry”:
The greatest threat to faith today is not hedonism but distraction. No culture has been more frazzled than our digital generation.
Seek wilderness, getting away from the grind is one of the greatest place of strength for Jesus and you.
You are commanded to Sabbath. Eugene Peterson describes what we do as the “bastard sabbath” - our “day off” we work frantically around the house, paying bills etc. What we are to do is worship, and rest.
Slow down. Like seriously, drive the speed limit, stop at stop signs. And stop lying that you can multi-task. No one does it well.
Simplify: we all have way too much stuff.
Quit making excuses; we all do what is most important to us. Maybe you have the wrong priorities.
Start to live from a center of abiding.
Silence, Solitude, Simplicity and Slowing - a quiet life.
Daily Battle Order:
Go fishing this week; for real fish. Get out alongside a stream, lake, shoreline, dock and cast and wait. Enjoy the nothing box, listening to nature around you. Slow down, breathe, come back to the moment, receive the gift, accept that hard is a pathway you will walk, abide.
And share about fishing on Monday during your staff meeting; encourage co-workers to go do the same. Don’t let yourself or your co-workers miss the goodness of each day.
Bonus - your professional productivity will improve exponentially when you align with God’s will!
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