Issue 077
“Does anybody really understand what I do?” “Do they
know what I am trying to achieve?” “Do they realise the
pressures that I face?”
Do you sometimes get the feeling that you are the only
one who has a clue about what you are doing at work
and even then not always? Even in a straightforward job
there can be times when we feel isolated or
misunderstood: too much work leading to burn out,
too little work leading to boredom, too difficult leading
to panic or too easy leading to disillusionment. All
these are routes to self-pity or low self-esteem. “If they
knew what it was like for me, they wouldn’t treat me
like this,” or, “it’s alright for them, they don’t have my
constraints.” These become our cries.
The last book of the bible contains seven letters written
to churches in Asia. Today they would have most likely
been faxes or e-mails. At the beginning of each one
Jesus Christ uses the words, “I know”. He assures them
he knows where they live, their circumstances, their
pressures and of course, their work. “I know your
deeds,” he says.
Sometimes the words that follow are praise; sometimes
Criticism; usually a mixture of the two. The point is that
whatever we’re going through, he knows what it is
like. He knows because he sees and he knows because
he’s been there. He’s had too much to do and too few
showing interest. He’s had too many challenges and too
few supporters. He’s also found that his work led him
to an early grave. But most of his work is so personal
to him that we can’t possibly see or understand what
he is doing. So when he says “I know”, he even knows
what it’s like to be the only one who has a clue about
what is going on at work. On the cross, He was totally
alone. Talk to him – he knows.
Revelations 3:7-13
7″To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts
no one can open. 8I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars–I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. 13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
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
