Issue 040
As you go to work each day do you feel your life reflects your priorities? By that I mean, are you actually spending your time on the things that really matter to you?
One aspect of my work is to co-lead retreats for busy people. They
come away for two days to the beautiful setting of Waverley Abbey
House in Farnham to reflect on their lives and work. Part of the
retreat involves individuals simply talking to the others on retreat about
what matters to them. Invariably people speak about their friends and
family and, if they are married, their spouses and children. Work is
spoken about but it always comes in around third or fourth place. As
the retreats proceed, we begin to understand each other’s lives so by
the time we reach this reflection on what matters, we are to an extent aware
of how one another lives. Interestingly, it seems that, for many, the way we live and
spend time does not necessarily reflect priorities described. Of course
this realisation is one of the benefits of the retreat.
So let me ask you this. Who are the six most important people in your
life? Does your life actually reflect this or in reality has work taken
over? I am going to suggest to you that work for many people has
become an idol. We allow it to dictate where we live, who we see and
how we live. We allow it to separate us from those we love.
Now I’m not suggesting that you stop work or become lazy. Work is
valuable, Godly and a source of provision for us and our families. But
please don’t assume that it is always a priority. In its place it is a
pleasure and honouring to God. But out of place it is no more than an
excuse.
What about these important people? Let them know, give them time
and seize the days with them. People who spend time with those they
love work better anyway. When you begin to think like this, you will
have begun to understand something of Jesus’ incarnation. You will see
more of why he came himself in person to make friends out of sinners;
why he laid down His life for his friends. Have a look at your life and
work on it before it’s too late.
John 15:13
13Greater love has no one than this,that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I 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. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.
Luke 15:22
22But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
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Work well
Geoff Shattock
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