Issue 079
‘You’re next’….. The phrase can fill you with relief and
pleasure – if it’s your turn to go on a ride or receive a
reward, or even gain admission to something for which you have
queued.But if it means you’re the next one to be made
redundant, it’s no fun at all.
It’s strange how such a small phrase can have such a big
impact. Many in work today live in fear of being out of
work tomorrow or even later on today. Sometimes
you can see it coming; it’s happened to some of your
best friends and colleagues and the first signs for you
are that they’ve dealt you a double workload. Now the
hand that they deal you is not double but quit, or at
least that’s what you fear.
But living under long term fear or threat is not good.
When Paul wrote to the church in Philippi he was a
prisoner in Rome. Chained not to a desk, nor to an
office, but day and night to members of the palace guard,
he was under threat. Certain trial and possible death
lay ahead. These were real chains. The temptation to
live in fear must have been enormous.(Phil.4:12-14)
But Paul had caught a glimpse of a bigger agenda, so he
makes a point of telling the Greeks that what has
happened to him has actually served the purpose of the
Gospel. With a twinkle in his eye he informs them that
as a result it has become clear throughout the palace
guard and to everyone else that he is in chains for
Christ.
Living under threat but living for Christ, he turned his
situation around for God. So was he chained to them
or they to him? Who was under greater threat?
1 John 4:16-18
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love
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
