Issue 048
How often have you been advised to ‘be yourself’? We
are encouraged at job interviews, in difficult times or when
meeting new people, to be ourselves. ‘To thine own self
be true’ says the Bard. But so often at work we feel
pressurised to put on an act, to play a part or distort an
aspect of who we are in order to present an image. In
the end, this is a stressful strategy; it is wearying and
debilitating, for it creates a split in our inner life and
damages the soul.
There are a whole host of other experiences which can
damage the soul. Disappointment in the face of a career
not going the way you want it to; a project or
relationship not succeeding; frustration or anger in the
face of incompetence or lack or resources; downright
tiredness due to heavy workload or unrewarding work;
lack of recognition or poor treatment by an employer;
bullying from a colleague or a manager; criticism or
negative comments coupled with harsh words or gossip;
financial pressures and anxiety about job security. All
these damage our souls and stop us being our true selves at work.
The best learning programmes recognise the
importance of empowering people to work out of who
they are, so that there is a match between person and
role. But only the Divine Shepherd can restore a
damaged soul.
David states simply, “He restores my soul”. This restoration often takes place in green pastures or beside quiet waters, but whatever the context, God is
the restorer.If your soul is disappointed he will bring hope; if it is
angry he will teach you forgiveness; if it is tired, he will
find you rest; if it is crushed or abused, he will rebuild
confidence and pour in his healing; if it is wounded by
words, he will bind up the wounds. The Good Shepherd
of the New Testament asked what profit there would
be in gaining the whole world and losing your true self
or your soul. It is at work where the soul is at most risk
of damage in the pursuit of all kinds of worlds.
Only the Lord can repair this damage. Only the Lord
can empower you to be yourself again because only he
can restore your soul. Action item: make an
appointment with the Shepherd.
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
In preparation for the next GEOFFSHATTOCKweekly, do feel free to email us your thoughts to wtw@worktalk.gs or leave a comment on our Facebook or Twitter profile. You can also visit our YouTube channel - get inspired and share Worktalk's vision with others.
Work well
Geoff Shattock
© Copyright 2024 Geoff Shattock
All GEOFFSHATTOCKweekly archives are for personal use only. For permission to use for any other purposes please email using the address below thank you.
WORKTALK LEARNING
1 Washington Villas, Hythe Road, Marchwood, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 4WT United Kingdom
T:+44 (0)23 8086 8543
http://www.geoffshattock.com
comms@worktalk.gs
