It’s been a very stressful week. In the middle of it, my doctor asked me how I manage stress. Good question – how would you answer it?
The answer I gave was a somewhat pat one – true on the whole, but I wonder how well I really live up to it. I said it was a combination of prayer and seeing things somewhat from God’s perspective – seeing that the business decisions I’m involved in aren’t the end of the world, and that there’s a bigger context. That satisfied him (though he still gave me a leaflet on managing stress which I duly assigned to its rightful place). But I’m not sure if it satisfied me.
We’re in the middle of a complex series of Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, and our plan is coming up for confirmation. What this means is that everyone who is opposed to us, including some who will benefit enormously from the plan did they but know it, is attacking us. We are also dependent upon some critical events occurring for the plan to be viable, and that has been challenging. My boss has had a run of particularly unpleasant things happening to him (in the business context) and so he is more stressed than usual. As a result, despite prayer and head-knowledge of God’s perspective, I’ve been snappy and irritable all week. Ask my boss. Ask my wife!
Yet, I think my answer is still right. This is a character issue, a learned-habits issue. I have still not got to the point where I am habitually seeing things in the light God’s sovereignty and love. I still don’t automatically bring things before Him in prayer as they happen – it is only after I catch myself stressing out that I do it. When I do, the stress level does go down – you’d think I’d figure out the connection wouldn’t you? The problem is partly not having the right habits (I’m reading NT Wright’s latest book “After You Believe” which has some really great commentary on building Christian character by building the right habits – worth a read!)
It is also partly that I want to take responsibility for outcomes and results that properly belong to God. Being responsible is one thing. Taking too much responsibility is another. We are called to be the right kind of people (in the image of God, bearers of the Holy Spirit), which will lead to us doing the right things. We are not called to make sure that the results are what we want them to be. Making this distinction is hard in a business setting, because others don’t see it that way. If we are unable to recover our investors’ money, despite doing everything right, then they will blame us. I’m not sure God will though. I should be satisfied with that!
Stress results from worry, lack of perspective, or setting unreasonable expectations for ourselves (others can try to do that, but we have a choice to accept them or not). The solution is some combination of better knowing God, and our place in His Kingdom, and habitually bringing everything before Him in prayer, both formally (quiet times, prayer groups, etc) and informally (arrow prayers, bathroom prayers, etc). Only then will we really see and adopt His perspective on our work.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Love @ Work Does Not Boast
Is it possible to be successful in business without trumpeting your accomplishments? If “love does not boast” (1 Corinthians 13:5) then are love and success incompatible for the Christian worker?
This troubles me in a couple of ways. Firstly, it isn’t clear to me what boasting has to do with love – of all the things that we might have expected God to say about His kind of love (agape) this would be way down the list for me. OK I know that boasting, as we typically use the word, has a negative connotation, but is it unloving? We’ll get to that in a moment. But in the meantime, the other problem is that the Bible clearly says we should not boast (e.g. Jeremiah 9:23 “This is what the LORD says: Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches”). On the other hand Paul, in “selling himself” to the Corinthians against their criticism, simply says he won’t “boast beyond limits” (2 Cor 10:13).
There are times for us to make a case for our accomplishments, so that they might be effective or so that our plans might be put into action for the greater good of all concerned. There is a case for laying out what we’ve been responsible for, in a resume for example, or in a legal defense. So what is it that the Bible is prohibiting? I see a few things.
If we look at all these things, and keep them in mind in our work, we can then add another dimension – the impact such evil boasting has on others. If I represent myself as capable of more than I am, I may push out another, more qualified candidate. If I claim all the credit for a good piece of work, then I may deny legitimate credit to others. If I claim to be the one in control, then others may be pushed out of positions of responsibility. Such actions clearly do not exhibit love.
The bottom line has to do with truth. I need to be realistic in communicating my accomplishments and abilities, doing so at all only when necessary for the good of others (which certainly includes things like job applications and project acceptances, since others would benefit if indeed I am the right person). When I do communicate, I need to think about the impact on others of my statements – if I stick to the truth then others should be well-served, but if I exaggerate or elaborate, they may be hurt. Love will be most concerned about this. Therefore, “love does not boast”! I’ll try to remember this.
This troubles me in a couple of ways. Firstly, it isn’t clear to me what boasting has to do with love – of all the things that we might have expected God to say about His kind of love (agape) this would be way down the list for me. OK I know that boasting, as we typically use the word, has a negative connotation, but is it unloving? We’ll get to that in a moment. But in the meantime, the other problem is that the Bible clearly says we should not boast (e.g. Jeremiah 9:23 “This is what the LORD says: Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches”). On the other hand Paul, in “selling himself” to the Corinthians against their criticism, simply says he won’t “boast beyond limits” (2 Cor 10:13).
There are times for us to make a case for our accomplishments, so that they might be effective or so that our plans might be put into action for the greater good of all concerned. There is a case for laying out what we’ve been responsible for, in a resume for example, or in a legal defense. So what is it that the Bible is prohibiting? I see a few things.
- Boasting in things that are not in God’s plan – things that are evil, or unjust. (The Psalms have several examples of this).
- Overstating our case, so that we pretend to be more than we are.
- Taking credit ourselves for the things God has done, or for which He has equipped us to do (e.g. 1 Corinthians 4:7 “For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?”).
- Claiming to be in control where really God is, e.g. of the future (Proverbs 27:1). This is further stressed as a primary boasting evil in James 4:16: "As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.”
If we look at all these things, and keep them in mind in our work, we can then add another dimension – the impact such evil boasting has on others. If I represent myself as capable of more than I am, I may push out another, more qualified candidate. If I claim all the credit for a good piece of work, then I may deny legitimate credit to others. If I claim to be the one in control, then others may be pushed out of positions of responsibility. Such actions clearly do not exhibit love.
The bottom line has to do with truth. I need to be realistic in communicating my accomplishments and abilities, doing so at all only when necessary for the good of others (which certainly includes things like job applications and project acceptances, since others would benefit if indeed I am the right person). When I do communicate, I need to think about the impact on others of my statements – if I stick to the truth then others should be well-served, but if I exaggerate or elaborate, they may be hurt. Love will be most concerned about this. Therefore, “love does not boast”! I’ll try to remember this.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Justice @ Work - Loyalty
Does loyalty to our boss require that we risk being tainted by their bad reputation? I was tested on this yesterday.
Last night, I represented the company at a three hour meeting of 120+ of our investors. They have lost large amounts of money in the Real Estate collapse and they’re angry and scared. They blame my boss, the owner of the company. To a degree their blame is valid – he acknowledges that he made a number of mistakes and misjudgments. But it so easily becomes personal – accusations of fraud, personal enrichment at investors’ expense, and various kinds of malfeasance were flying freely in the meeting. In the past I was advised by others to distance myself from him so that I wouldn’t be “tarred with the same brush”. Wise advice, it would seem – why unnecessarily have my reputation tarnished through “guilt by association”?
But last night I felt I had to speak out (my boss wasn’t there). I acknowledged his and the company’s mistakes, but had to speak of his integrity and strong, if sometimes misplaced, code of ethics. What investors often don’t realize is his unstinting commitment to do whatever he can to restore their investments over the coming few years. Or the sacrifices he has made – far from being enriched, he has lost everything he had, including many millions of dollars of his personal fortune spent trying to save these same investors who are accusing him of greed and selfishness. He still refuses to give up fighting for them, despite the class action law suit they have filed against him. I said all this, and the eyes were rolling, the smirks widening, and the murmurs growing. Did I change anyone’s mind? Of course not! Did the mood of the meeting improve? Not a jot.
Did my reputation suffer? Actually, no I don’t think so. For all the sniggers and disagreements, the bad-mouthing stopped and we returned to the more important business of the meeting – what to do in the future, not what has happened in the past. I think the reaction was that I was sincere but misguided (“well of course you’d say that”). But most important of all, I think justice was served.
I had never thought of loyalty as a matter of justice, but last night it was very much so. What was being said was unjust, despite the circumstances. To leave it unanswered would have been unjust. The calumny must be responded to. The Psalmists often complain to God about the lies that are told about them. The book of Job is full of his “friends” purporting to understand Job’s motives. The prophets experienced it all the time. Loyalty requires that these wrongs be righted, and that challenges to reputations be redressed. Loyalty stands up for one’s boss, or friend (think of Jonathan defending David before his father Saul). Loyalty will not stand by and allow the other to be slandered.
Was there a risk in my loyalty yesterday? Yes, there always is. But a person of faith is familiar with risk – faith is a matter of risk after all (if the outcome is certain, then it isn’t faith!) I’m glad I spoke up. Justice demanded it!
Last night, I represented the company at a three hour meeting of 120+ of our investors. They have lost large amounts of money in the Real Estate collapse and they’re angry and scared. They blame my boss, the owner of the company. To a degree their blame is valid – he acknowledges that he made a number of mistakes and misjudgments. But it so easily becomes personal – accusations of fraud, personal enrichment at investors’ expense, and various kinds of malfeasance were flying freely in the meeting. In the past I was advised by others to distance myself from him so that I wouldn’t be “tarred with the same brush”. Wise advice, it would seem – why unnecessarily have my reputation tarnished through “guilt by association”?
But last night I felt I had to speak out (my boss wasn’t there). I acknowledged his and the company’s mistakes, but had to speak of his integrity and strong, if sometimes misplaced, code of ethics. What investors often don’t realize is his unstinting commitment to do whatever he can to restore their investments over the coming few years. Or the sacrifices he has made – far from being enriched, he has lost everything he had, including many millions of dollars of his personal fortune spent trying to save these same investors who are accusing him of greed and selfishness. He still refuses to give up fighting for them, despite the class action law suit they have filed against him. I said all this, and the eyes were rolling, the smirks widening, and the murmurs growing. Did I change anyone’s mind? Of course not! Did the mood of the meeting improve? Not a jot.
Did my reputation suffer? Actually, no I don’t think so. For all the sniggers and disagreements, the bad-mouthing stopped and we returned to the more important business of the meeting – what to do in the future, not what has happened in the past. I think the reaction was that I was sincere but misguided (“well of course you’d say that”). But most important of all, I think justice was served.
I had never thought of loyalty as a matter of justice, but last night it was very much so. What was being said was unjust, despite the circumstances. To leave it unanswered would have been unjust. The calumny must be responded to. The Psalmists often complain to God about the lies that are told about them. The book of Job is full of his “friends” purporting to understand Job’s motives. The prophets experienced it all the time. Loyalty requires that these wrongs be righted, and that challenges to reputations be redressed. Loyalty stands up for one’s boss, or friend (think of Jonathan defending David before his father Saul). Loyalty will not stand by and allow the other to be slandered.
Was there a risk in my loyalty yesterday? Yes, there always is. But a person of faith is familiar with risk – faith is a matter of risk after all (if the outcome is certain, then it isn’t faith!) I’m glad I spoke up. Justice demanded it!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Theology @ Work – Grace
All of the theology in the Bible – all of Christian theology – can be summed up with a single word: Grace. All of our calling, whether in the workplace or elsewhere, is summed up as a call to exhibit this same Grace.
These are pretty sweeping statements aren’t they? Am I overstating the case? Consider these facts:
The Bible is essentially an account of God’s dealing with His people – Israel and the Church. To that extent it is quite simply an account of His grace. Again and again we read that God’s action for and with us is an act of grace – whether it is forgiveness, or equipping and growing, or calling to His Kingdom.
Our calling to the workplace is equally a matter of God’s grace. Everything He wants to accomplish through us is a matter of grace – His grace given to us and to be passed on to those around us.
It is many years since I read Philip Yancey’s book “What’s So Amazing About Grace” but I am still impacted by it and strongly recommend it to anyone who has not read it. Simply put, he argues that in far too much of our daily living, in our relationships, in our evangelism, we demonstrate our lack of understanding for and appreciation of God’s grace. It is time to bring grace back into our daily lives. It is time we showed grace in all its glory in our workplace, offering unconditional love and acceptance, giving of our selves beyond any “duty”, and most of all point the way to the only Source of true grace.
These are pretty sweeping statements aren’t they? Am I overstating the case? Consider these facts:
- From the beginning of Creation, God has given and humans have rebelled. God has forgiven and humans have fallen again.
- Every gift that humans have is given by God, with nothing that we can possibly give in return.
- It is only out of God’s kindness, mercy and undeserved and unrepayable favor that we continue to live, that we have relationships, that we can approach Him in worship, and that we can enjoy His creation.
- For God to give us purpose in His Kingdom, for Him to call us to participate in His work, for Him to promise that in time we will reign and inherit in the Kingdom of His Son, are such outrageous promises that we can scarcely believe them.
- Hen (Hebrew derived from hanan meaning to favor or grant mercy) relates to God’s decision to show favor to Noah (Gen 6:8), Lot (Gen 19:19) and Moses (Ex 33:12-13).
- Hesed (Hebrew derived from hasad meaning to be good or kind) goes a step further, relating to the astonishing love of God toward His people in general (e.g. Ps 107:43, Is 63:7).
- Charis (Greek from char meaning well-being, pleasant, delightful) is used in the New Testament to speak of the most amazing gift of all time, the sacrifice of the Son of God, the Messiah, for the salvation of the people of God (e.g. Acts 15:11).
The Bible is essentially an account of God’s dealing with His people – Israel and the Church. To that extent it is quite simply an account of His grace. Again and again we read that God’s action for and with us is an act of grace – whether it is forgiveness, or equipping and growing, or calling to His Kingdom.
Our calling to the workplace is equally a matter of God’s grace. Everything He wants to accomplish through us is a matter of grace – His grace given to us and to be passed on to those around us.
It is many years since I read Philip Yancey’s book “What’s So Amazing About Grace” but I am still impacted by it and strongly recommend it to anyone who has not read it. Simply put, he argues that in far too much of our daily living, in our relationships, in our evangelism, we demonstrate our lack of understanding for and appreciation of God’s grace. It is time to bring grace back into our daily lives. It is time we showed grace in all its glory in our workplace, offering unconditional love and acceptance, giving of our selves beyond any “duty”, and most of all point the way to the only Source of true grace.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Love @ Work Does Not Envy
“It’s just not fair – she has everything going for her.” “If only I was as strong as him.” Have you ever had any thoughts like these? I know I have. It just shows how little I love.
The third attribute of love in 1 Corinthians 13:5-8 is that it does not envy. How is this a sign of love? I think it has to do with being prepared to accept the other person – not necessarily in absolute terms, but in relative terms. What do I mean by this? When I see somebody with an amazing intellect, for example, I can admire them and give God glory. At that point I still accept them, and do not lack love (though at that distance I don’t know them well enough to love either). It changes when I am working with them. If, for example, that towering intellect has pushed me off a local team pedestal, so that people start to go to that person for answers instead of me, then the envy will set in.
It’s ironic really – now that we’re working together in a team, I have the opportunity to love. But it is that same closeness, that working relationship, which leads me to the opposite of love – in this case, to envy. If I can’t have that kind of intellect, then I wish the other person didn’t have it either. There are so many things wrong with this attitude, of course. I am denying God’s wisdom in creating each of us with unique gifts, abilities, experiences, and calling. I’m doing this doubly in this case – wishing God had not gifted the other person as He did, and wishing God had not gifted me as He did (in my case second-guessing the attributes God chose for me).
A key element of envy is personal insecurity or dissatisfaction. If I am content with who God has made me to be, then I will not envy. Why would I want to be like somebody else if I’m confident that God knew what He was doing when He made me? (By “made” I’m talking about every aspect of my personality and gifts at birth, my experiences, sufferings, growth, and relationships that have been used by God to shape who I am now). It’s an example of how a precondition to loving others is loving oneself. My reason for envying my intellectual, or physical, or musical, or [fill in the blanks] superior is a lack of love for God’s creation – myself.
This comes out particularly at work. Many of us feel defined by our successes and accomplishments at work. This is so dangerous. We’ve been called by God to the workplace for His Kingdom purposes, not for our personal aggrandizement. Our self-esteem is not ultimately going to be satisfied by our work, but by realizing God’s love for us, His gracious acceptance of us, and His amazing plans for us to serve Him. If we don’t love ourselves, if we are insecure in who we are, or if we look to work for self-fulfillment, then we will be prone to envy. Next time I catch myself envying someone else, I need to bring it before God and acknowledge what is going on. I need forgiveness and healing and God offers both. How about you?
The third attribute of love in 1 Corinthians 13:5-8 is that it does not envy. How is this a sign of love? I think it has to do with being prepared to accept the other person – not necessarily in absolute terms, but in relative terms. What do I mean by this? When I see somebody with an amazing intellect, for example, I can admire them and give God glory. At that point I still accept them, and do not lack love (though at that distance I don’t know them well enough to love either). It changes when I am working with them. If, for example, that towering intellect has pushed me off a local team pedestal, so that people start to go to that person for answers instead of me, then the envy will set in.
It’s ironic really – now that we’re working together in a team, I have the opportunity to love. But it is that same closeness, that working relationship, which leads me to the opposite of love – in this case, to envy. If I can’t have that kind of intellect, then I wish the other person didn’t have it either. There are so many things wrong with this attitude, of course. I am denying God’s wisdom in creating each of us with unique gifts, abilities, experiences, and calling. I’m doing this doubly in this case – wishing God had not gifted the other person as He did, and wishing God had not gifted me as He did (in my case second-guessing the attributes God chose for me).
A key element of envy is personal insecurity or dissatisfaction. If I am content with who God has made me to be, then I will not envy. Why would I want to be like somebody else if I’m confident that God knew what He was doing when He made me? (By “made” I’m talking about every aspect of my personality and gifts at birth, my experiences, sufferings, growth, and relationships that have been used by God to shape who I am now). It’s an example of how a precondition to loving others is loving oneself. My reason for envying my intellectual, or physical, or musical, or [fill in the blanks] superior is a lack of love for God’s creation – myself.
This comes out particularly at work. Many of us feel defined by our successes and accomplishments at work. This is so dangerous. We’ve been called by God to the workplace for His Kingdom purposes, not for our personal aggrandizement. Our self-esteem is not ultimately going to be satisfied by our work, but by realizing God’s love for us, His gracious acceptance of us, and His amazing plans for us to serve Him. If we don’t love ourselves, if we are insecure in who we are, or if we look to work for self-fulfillment, then we will be prone to envy. Next time I catch myself envying someone else, I need to bring it before God and acknowledge what is going on. I need forgiveness and healing and God offers both. How about you?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Justice @ Work – Layoffs
I’ve just had to tell someone her job has been eliminated. It just doesn’t seem fair.
The thing is, we’re finding it harder and harder to make payroll, and we’re running out of ways to raise cash. There are things down the road, but increasingly the risk is they won’t come soon enough. But the person I just laid off has been loyal, hard-working, has been paid less than her market value, and has accomplished a lot for us. How can laying her off be right?
She is angry and hurt. This is particularly true since someone less experienced than her was retained in the company and is taking over both people’s responsibilities. I’d be angry and hurt too.
I have all sorts of rationale for the decision, including that the person remaining is best fitted for what we need going forward. After all, isn’t a big part of management matching the strengths of team members to the needs of the organization they’re serving? But it’s hard to ignore what the other person has done over the past few years for the company. (I can relate to her feelings too, because it happened to me a few years ago). I can rationalize too that she is so well-qualified, that finding another job should be easier for her than just about anyone else in the company.
What does justice have to say about this? Fairness isn’t really the point – if we got what was fair, none of us would be here in the first place. But justice – or righteousness, which I define as “doing what God would do” – is another matter. It isn’t a simple decision. If I hadn’t done this, we might have ended up missing a payroll altogether, then another, then ultimately collapsing. Several people would have been out of work, including sole bread-winners and immigrants dependent upon their employment with us to keep their legal status.
I wish the Bible was a handbook on justice. It provides some principles, but most of all it provides the character of the God whose righteousness is to be followed. What would this righteous God do? I am honestly not sure. All I can do is try to balance the needs of the company and all its constituents (investors, borrowers, clients, employees and owner) and the personal and family impacts of a lay-off. I think this was the right decision. I have peace about it after prayer, but seeing the pain and hurt is still really hard. Management sucks sometimes!
The thing is, we’re finding it harder and harder to make payroll, and we’re running out of ways to raise cash. There are things down the road, but increasingly the risk is they won’t come soon enough. But the person I just laid off has been loyal, hard-working, has been paid less than her market value, and has accomplished a lot for us. How can laying her off be right?
She is angry and hurt. This is particularly true since someone less experienced than her was retained in the company and is taking over both people’s responsibilities. I’d be angry and hurt too.
I have all sorts of rationale for the decision, including that the person remaining is best fitted for what we need going forward. After all, isn’t a big part of management matching the strengths of team members to the needs of the organization they’re serving? But it’s hard to ignore what the other person has done over the past few years for the company. (I can relate to her feelings too, because it happened to me a few years ago). I can rationalize too that she is so well-qualified, that finding another job should be easier for her than just about anyone else in the company.
What does justice have to say about this? Fairness isn’t really the point – if we got what was fair, none of us would be here in the first place. But justice – or righteousness, which I define as “doing what God would do” – is another matter. It isn’t a simple decision. If I hadn’t done this, we might have ended up missing a payroll altogether, then another, then ultimately collapsing. Several people would have been out of work, including sole bread-winners and immigrants dependent upon their employment with us to keep their legal status.
I wish the Bible was a handbook on justice. It provides some principles, but most of all it provides the character of the God whose righteousness is to be followed. What would this righteous God do? I am honestly not sure. All I can do is try to balance the needs of the company and all its constituents (investors, borrowers, clients, employees and owner) and the personal and family impacts of a lay-off. I think this was the right decision. I have peace about it after prayer, but seeing the pain and hurt is still really hard. Management sucks sometimes!
Guest Blogger Sara Goetz – Business Commitment
For a while now I’ve been telling everyone that Sara Goetz Photography is a venture of faith first, and a business second.
I’ll just pause here for a second and wait for the spiritual applause to die down. At least, spiritual applause is what I always sort of expected when I uttered those words.
I felt so proud of myself, as if I had committed to something so super spiritual, I was bound to have won the favor of God. I mean, wouldn’t God willingly and happily bless that kind of attitude? I was proud of myself for the seemingly huge steps of obedience it took to embrace that calling.
But that pride has dissolved into humility.
This weekend He uttered – no – He whispered (which is very different) something new in my ear that stopped me in my tracks. “What if it isn’t your business that is a venture of faith? What if what I really want is for your whole life to be a venture of faith. Do you think you could do that?”
Oh boy.
The reality of what God was asking hit me in the face the way a baseball slaps the glove of a catcher. And I’ve been a Christian for like, my WHOLE LIFE. It took my breath away. And my pride.
You see, when God originally talked to me about a “venture of faith” I thought he was talking about my business. But God is quickly showing me it’s about my life. As a follower of Christ, “Ventures of Faith” are not reserved for some of the endeavors in my life. No, no, no. Instead, it has to be that my life IS a venture of faith. Photography is a venture of faith. But so is my marriage, my motherhood, my friendships, - all of my endeavors and relationships. If I can separate the things in my life that are ventures of faith from the things that aren’t, I’ve missed my calling. I’ve missed the boat.
And I desperately don’t want to miss the boat. I want to be on that one when it sails away.
When I meet Jesus I want to hear Him say, (And I scripted this out for Him as a little joke between Him and me…), “You did it, Sara. You didn’t miss a thing I had for you to do or a blessing I was ready to give. You did it right, and you made me proud. Come on, let’s check this place out! It’s amazing…”
And if I really want to hear those words, I’m realizing, I need to start viewing EVERYTHING as a venture of faith. I need to understand that there is nothing in my life that can or should exist outside of the umbrella of faith.
I’ll just pause here for a second and wait for the spiritual applause to die down. At least, spiritual applause is what I always sort of expected when I uttered those words.
I felt so proud of myself, as if I had committed to something so super spiritual, I was bound to have won the favor of God. I mean, wouldn’t God willingly and happily bless that kind of attitude? I was proud of myself for the seemingly huge steps of obedience it took to embrace that calling.
But that pride has dissolved into humility.
This weekend He uttered – no – He whispered (which is very different) something new in my ear that stopped me in my tracks. “What if it isn’t your business that is a venture of faith? What if what I really want is for your whole life to be a venture of faith. Do you think you could do that?”
Oh boy.
The reality of what God was asking hit me in the face the way a baseball slaps the glove of a catcher. And I’ve been a Christian for like, my WHOLE LIFE. It took my breath away. And my pride.
You see, when God originally talked to me about a “venture of faith” I thought he was talking about my business. But God is quickly showing me it’s about my life. As a follower of Christ, “Ventures of Faith” are not reserved for some of the endeavors in my life. No, no, no. Instead, it has to be that my life IS a venture of faith. Photography is a venture of faith. But so is my marriage, my motherhood, my friendships, - all of my endeavors and relationships. If I can separate the things in my life that are ventures of faith from the things that aren’t, I’ve missed my calling. I’ve missed the boat.
And I desperately don’t want to miss the boat. I want to be on that one when it sails away.
When I meet Jesus I want to hear Him say, (And I scripted this out for Him as a little joke between Him and me…), “You did it, Sara. You didn’t miss a thing I had for you to do or a blessing I was ready to give. You did it right, and you made me proud. Come on, let’s check this place out! It’s amazing…”
And if I really want to hear those words, I’m realizing, I need to start viewing EVERYTHING as a venture of faith. I need to understand that there is nothing in my life that can or should exist outside of the umbrella of faith.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Delegation @ Work in God’s Image
According to Genesis 1, God made humans in his own image. If we bear God’s image, how best can we carry that image to the workplace? How about delegation?
Let’s face it, God not only could have done everything Himself but by any standards of success should have done (the ultimate application of “if you want something done …”). However He chose not to. Why? I’m not entirely sure, but clearly it has something to do with how much He loves us. Despite our constant and repetitive failures, He has persevered with us. Despite the rebellion and complaints and self-centeredness of His people, He has continued to show us grace.
But He also knows that, on our own, we simply aren’t going to get it done (“it” in this case being the restoration and re-establishment of His New Creation, His Kingdom). So not only did He call us to this seemingly impossible task, but He encouraged us, equipped us, restored us, and was unbelievably patient with us.
Those of us who are managers or supervisors, or members of any kind of team, can model this extraordinarily gracious attribute of God in the way we delegate. Delegation in the workplace has many purposes, including sharing of workload, leveraging the gifts of a team, and developing members of a team. It is sometimes done for other, less constructive reasons (for example dumping unwanted work on others, pushing off responsibility, or exercising power). So a few thoughts on how we delegate:
Let’s face it, God not only could have done everything Himself but by any standards of success should have done (the ultimate application of “if you want something done …”). However He chose not to. Why? I’m not entirely sure, but clearly it has something to do with how much He loves us. Despite our constant and repetitive failures, He has persevered with us. Despite the rebellion and complaints and self-centeredness of His people, He has continued to show us grace.
But He also knows that, on our own, we simply aren’t going to get it done (“it” in this case being the restoration and re-establishment of His New Creation, His Kingdom). So not only did He call us to this seemingly impossible task, but He encouraged us, equipped us, restored us, and was unbelievably patient with us.
Those of us who are managers or supervisors, or members of any kind of team, can model this extraordinarily gracious attribute of God in the way we delegate. Delegation in the workplace has many purposes, including sharing of workload, leveraging the gifts of a team, and developing members of a team. It is sometimes done for other, less constructive reasons (for example dumping unwanted work on others, pushing off responsibility, or exercising power). So a few thoughts on how we delegate:
- Consider our motivation for delegation (or for not delegating). Are we seeking the best for the rest of the team? For the company? For the person to whom we’re delegating?
- Are we delegating tasks that, while potentially a stretch for the delegate, are within their grasp and will lead to long-term growth?
- Are we encouraging others to whom we delegate, emphasizing progress made in learning and growth, and sharing responsibility for mistakes and failures?
- Are we providing the tools, training and support necessary for others to learn and carry out the delegated tasks and responsibilities?
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Guest Blogger Sara Goetz – Charging For Ministry?
How can it be ministry if you charge?
I’ve realized since we started Sara Goetz Photography that I erroneously have believed that you can’t be doing ministry if you are charging money.
How could anything that charges clients/customers a solid amount of money have a place in God’s kingdom. After all, if we want to serve people we shouldn’t charge them, right?
God is showing me exactly why it is important for me to run my business as a business – with the intent of making money – instead of running it as a charity. I am honoring God through my business by not giving away my services. Here’s why:
I’ve realized since we started Sara Goetz Photography that I erroneously have believed that you can’t be doing ministry if you are charging money.
How could anything that charges clients/customers a solid amount of money have a place in God’s kingdom. After all, if we want to serve people we shouldn’t charge them, right?
God is showing me exactly why it is important for me to run my business as a business – with the intent of making money – instead of running it as a charity. I am honoring God through my business by not giving away my services. Here’s why:
- By associating a solid price with my services I can attract the people who really want my services and are willing to invest. We have a better working relationship and they are happier at the end of our transaction because we were a good fit for each other. That was evident by the fact that they were willing to pay me what I believe my services are worth.
- By associating a solid price point with my services, when I do offer my services gratis I am actually giving them something incredibly valuable. The blessing of receiving and giving the gift of service is automatically higher. I can bless them with premium service & products because I have a solid business that allows me to serve.The money my business earns is allowing my children to be educated in a Christian school – something we feel God is calling us to do. Running our business as a business: charging good money for a quality service, is opening the doors for us to be obedient.
- I cannot expect my industry to simply “gift” me the equipment, training, and experiences I need to improve my craft and business. If I gave away my services I could never improve and would eventually my skills would offer God and His Kingdom very little.
Guest Blogger Sara Goetz – Charging For Ministry?
How can it be ministry if you charge?
I’ve realized since we started Sara Goetz Photography that I erroneously have believed that you can’t be doing ministry if you are charging money.
How could anything that charges clients/customers a solid amount of money have a place in God’s kingdom. After all, if we want to serve people we shouldn’t charge them, right?
God is showing me exactly why it is important for me to run my business as a business – with the intent of making money – instead of running it as a charity. I am honoring God through my business by not giving away my services. Here’s why:
By associating a solid price with my services I can attract the people who really want my services and are willing to invest. We have a better working relationship and they are happier at the end of our transaction because we were a good fit for each other. That was evident by the fact that they were willing to pay me what I believe my services are worth.
By associating a solid price point with my services, when I do offer my services gratis I am actually giving them something incredibly valuable. The blessing of receiving and giving the gift of service is automatically higher. I can bless them with premium service & products because I have a solid business that allows me to serve.The money my business earns is allowing my children to be educated in a Christian school – something we feel God is calling us to do. Running our business as a business: charging good money for a quality service, is opening the doors for us to be obedient.
I cannot expect my industry to simply “gift” me the equipment, training, and experiences I need to improve my craft and business. If I gave away my services I could never improve and would eventually my skills would offer God and His Kingdom very little.
I am learning that business and faith does not have to equal giving away your services/product. I can honor God and make money.
I’ve realized since we started Sara Goetz Photography that I erroneously have believed that you can’t be doing ministry if you are charging money.
How could anything that charges clients/customers a solid amount of money have a place in God’s kingdom. After all, if we want to serve people we shouldn’t charge them, right?
God is showing me exactly why it is important for me to run my business as a business – with the intent of making money – instead of running it as a charity. I am honoring God through my business by not giving away my services. Here’s why:
By associating a solid price with my services I can attract the people who really want my services and are willing to invest. We have a better working relationship and they are happier at the end of our transaction because we were a good fit for each other. That was evident by the fact that they were willing to pay me what I believe my services are worth.
By associating a solid price point with my services, when I do offer my services gratis I am actually giving them something incredibly valuable. The blessing of receiving and giving the gift of service is automatically higher. I can bless them with premium service & products because I have a solid business that allows me to serve.The money my business earns is allowing my children to be educated in a Christian school – something we feel God is calling us to do. Running our business as a business: charging good money for a quality service, is opening the doors for us to be obedient.
I cannot expect my industry to simply “gift” me the equipment, training, and experiences I need to improve my craft and business. If I gave away my services I could never improve and would eventually my skills would offer God and His Kingdom very little.
I am learning that business and faith does not have to equal giving away your services/product. I can honor God and make money.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Love @ Work Is Kind
Have you noticed how much the attributes of love in 1 Corinthians 13 overlap with the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Turns out that’s really good news!
Good news why? Because I don’t know about you but I find it pretty hard to be patient, kind and all the rest. And because the fruit of the Spirit is what it says it is – not something I drum up by being extra-specially nice, but something that the Holy Spirit exhibits through me if I can only set my ego aside.
I am not by nature a kind person. Does that mean I don’t naturally love others. Actually in the way the New Testament uses the word, yes it probably does – but then that’s true for all of us. Jesus is the only truly, naturally, unconditionally kind person who ever lived. But by being filled with His Spirit, we can show that same kindness. Sometimes I catch myself thinking kind thoughts or doing kind things pretty much despite myself! And I thank God for having made His home in me!
So this kindness thing – how does it work at work? When I see other people around me – be they colleagues, employees, lawyers or investors – if I’m in tune with what the Holy Spirit is seeing, I see people with needs, including the need to be appreciated, to be helped, encouraged, comforted or simply listened to. More and more as I pray for them, I do see them as God does (to a very limited extent of course) and I see their needs and love them. Jesus was always doing that – seeing people’s needs and loving them. The rich young ruler, for example (Mark 10:21 says it explicitly), or the woman taken in adultery, or the Samaritan woman, or Levi. In each case he showed great kindness – understanding, being gentle even while in each case asking repentance of them.
Kindness doesn’t sweep bad things under the carpet, or hold back from speaking truth. On the contrary truth is an essential part of kindness. So when I give a performance review to an employee I try to speak truth with kindness. By praying for the person beforehand, seeking to understand why some things are not working too well, and seeing them in some way as God sees them, I find myself offering kindness and thus allowing them to hear what needs to be said. That’s just one example of course – opportunities for kindness abound in the workplace and I know I miss most of them. I just pray that I will become better at seeing them and being kind – ultimately this is an aspect of love that the world, and especially perhaps our workplace, desperately needs.
One last thought. There was a fad a few years ago for committing “random acts of kindness”. Nice though this was, we’re talking about something different I think. 1 Corinthians 13:4 speaks of kindness as an attribute of love, not something that can be randomly exhibited. Love defines a relationship much more than a casual encounter, and kindness is a part of that relationship. So may there be nothing random about your acts of kindness – instead may God’s love be evident!
Good news why? Because I don’t know about you but I find it pretty hard to be patient, kind and all the rest. And because the fruit of the Spirit is what it says it is – not something I drum up by being extra-specially nice, but something that the Holy Spirit exhibits through me if I can only set my ego aside.
I am not by nature a kind person. Does that mean I don’t naturally love others. Actually in the way the New Testament uses the word, yes it probably does – but then that’s true for all of us. Jesus is the only truly, naturally, unconditionally kind person who ever lived. But by being filled with His Spirit, we can show that same kindness. Sometimes I catch myself thinking kind thoughts or doing kind things pretty much despite myself! And I thank God for having made His home in me!
So this kindness thing – how does it work at work? When I see other people around me – be they colleagues, employees, lawyers or investors – if I’m in tune with what the Holy Spirit is seeing, I see people with needs, including the need to be appreciated, to be helped, encouraged, comforted or simply listened to. More and more as I pray for them, I do see them as God does (to a very limited extent of course) and I see their needs and love them. Jesus was always doing that – seeing people’s needs and loving them. The rich young ruler, for example (Mark 10:21 says it explicitly), or the woman taken in adultery, or the Samaritan woman, or Levi. In each case he showed great kindness – understanding, being gentle even while in each case asking repentance of them.
Kindness doesn’t sweep bad things under the carpet, or hold back from speaking truth. On the contrary truth is an essential part of kindness. So when I give a performance review to an employee I try to speak truth with kindness. By praying for the person beforehand, seeking to understand why some things are not working too well, and seeing them in some way as God sees them, I find myself offering kindness and thus allowing them to hear what needs to be said. That’s just one example of course – opportunities for kindness abound in the workplace and I know I miss most of them. I just pray that I will become better at seeing them and being kind – ultimately this is an aspect of love that the world, and especially perhaps our workplace, desperately needs.
One last thought. There was a fad a few years ago for committing “random acts of kindness”. Nice though this was, we’re talking about something different I think. 1 Corinthians 13:4 speaks of kindness as an attribute of love, not something that can be randomly exhibited. Love defines a relationship much more than a casual encounter, and kindness is a part of that relationship. So may there be nothing random about your acts of kindness – instead may God’s love be evident!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Theology @ Work - Fulfillment
OK so we’re called to partner with God in the workplace, as a part of the building of His Kingdom. But where is that all going? What’s the point of it all?
I’m almost at the end of this little blog post series on the theology of work as it impacts our daily work calling. We’re privileged to be a part of God’s kingdom-building vision, created and equipped by Him, called and redeemed by Him, bearers of His image and temples of His Spirit. But while we are thrilled by this honor and inspired by this purpose, there are certainly times when we look at the pain and suffering, the struggle and stress, the sin and evil around us, and we have to ask “when does it all end?” If we’re honest, there are days when all of us question God and ask Him if He is really sovereign, if He is really in control? And if He is, why doesn’t He just wrap up the whole experiment and start again?
However, the whole of Scripture looks forward to a fulfillment of God’s vision, of His dream, in which Creation is not just restored to its original pristine Eden condition, but is revealed in all its glorious potential. This vision is hinted at in Genesis, uncovered in God’s chosen people (blessed to be a blessing to all nations as in Genesis 12:1), promised in the prophets (most fully in the last couple of chapters of Isaiah) and offered as the ultimate hope for a suffering church in Revelation 21 and 22.
Our daily work is a part of God’s progressing of His Kingdom toward that ultimate fulfillment. Reformed theologians like to talk of the Kingdom as being “already now, but not yet” – that is we are living in the midst of it even while it is still in formation and what it will ultimately be has yet to be fully seen. This is our joy! We work for justice today, because the Kingdom in fulfillment will have no injustice – simply the perfect justice of a holy and merciful God (Revelation 21:7-8). We work today for healing because in the Kingdom’s ultimate state there will be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4b). We offer hope to all our colleagues because “the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 21:3-4a).
This is what we are made for. This is why we work. This is what God has equipped us for, called us to, and inspired (breathed His Spirit into) us for. Every relationship, every project, every contract, every keystroke, every brick laid, every blade of grass grown – all are contributions to the ultimate Kingdom of all kingdoms – the Kingdom of God. Wow!
I’m almost at the end of this little blog post series on the theology of work as it impacts our daily work calling. We’re privileged to be a part of God’s kingdom-building vision, created and equipped by Him, called and redeemed by Him, bearers of His image and temples of His Spirit. But while we are thrilled by this honor and inspired by this purpose, there are certainly times when we look at the pain and suffering, the struggle and stress, the sin and evil around us, and we have to ask “when does it all end?” If we’re honest, there are days when all of us question God and ask Him if He is really sovereign, if He is really in control? And if He is, why doesn’t He just wrap up the whole experiment and start again?
However, the whole of Scripture looks forward to a fulfillment of God’s vision, of His dream, in which Creation is not just restored to its original pristine Eden condition, but is revealed in all its glorious potential. This vision is hinted at in Genesis, uncovered in God’s chosen people (blessed to be a blessing to all nations as in Genesis 12:1), promised in the prophets (most fully in the last couple of chapters of Isaiah) and offered as the ultimate hope for a suffering church in Revelation 21 and 22.
Our daily work is a part of God’s progressing of His Kingdom toward that ultimate fulfillment. Reformed theologians like to talk of the Kingdom as being “already now, but not yet” – that is we are living in the midst of it even while it is still in formation and what it will ultimately be has yet to be fully seen. This is our joy! We work for justice today, because the Kingdom in fulfillment will have no injustice – simply the perfect justice of a holy and merciful God (Revelation 21:7-8). We work today for healing because in the Kingdom’s ultimate state there will be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4b). We offer hope to all our colleagues because “the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 21:3-4a).
This is what we are made for. This is why we work. This is what God has equipped us for, called us to, and inspired (breathed His Spirit into) us for. Every relationship, every project, every contract, every keystroke, every brick laid, every blade of grass grown – all are contributions to the ultimate Kingdom of all kingdoms – the Kingdom of God. Wow!
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