THE LATEST

Thursday 25 March
Alone or with other people

“How well you do in life and in business depends not only on what you do and how you do it … but on who is doing it with you” (Henry Cloud, The Power of the Other). For the first part of his ministry, Elijah operated as a lone ranger, but during the final phase he had a young friend and successor by his side, Elisha. Jesus supremely modelled the call to work with and mentor others with his disciples. This is a broader principle expressed in the slightly corny statement, “teamwork makes the dream work”.

The more I realise what I’m good at, the more I also find out what I’m NOT good at! Being part of a team is essential!

> Are you functioning as a lone ranger or working with others? How can you grow your investment in other people and your contribution to teams?

Tuesday 23 March
In the flow

Many psychologists place an emphasis on living out of our strengths. We can see in the life of Elijah how he accomplished difficult tasks with apparent ease – a wonderful picture of someone living out of their God-given strengths.

Being ‘engaged’ or being ‘in the flow’ is where we feel our best and perform our best with total focus. To increase the amount of time we spend ‘in the flow’ we need to manage and steward our energy. We will perform better at certain times for certain tasks – give your best energy to the things that matter most!

We also need to build in time to rest and recover. Build in breaks – even if it’s just for a few minutes. You may want to exercise and ask God for fresh wisdom and strength in those breaks.

>When have you been ‘in the flow’? What was it like? How could you re-order your daily and weekly schedule to give your best time and energy to the things that matter most?

VOCATIONAL WELLBEING
Sunday 21 March
Living on purpose

We are born on purpose  and for a purpose! Being clear on our reason for being is important for our wellbeing. There is a general and specific ‘calling’ (the English word for vocation) – an overall life purpose that is common to all, and a specific pathway that is unique to each one of us. Today we are thinking about our overall purpose.

In his best-selling book  The Purpose Driven Life, author Rick Warren says, “If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose. It is only in God that we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance, our destiny.”

Knowing our God-given purpose and living it out is the birth right of every born-again child of God: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2.10).

Where is your vocational ‘dial’? Might you have been focusing on the wrong target? How can you make some changes?

Saturday 20 March

Reconciliation

Often forgiveness is a step towards something greater: relational reconciliation. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12.18). However, as this verse implies, relational reconciliation isn’t always possible. Sometimes the other person isn’t interested. In some cases (like when a person has been abused and the abuser shows no signs of change) it isn’t advisable. In those cases, do get help as you go on a journey of forgiveness, while also putting up clear boundaries.

Joseph’s story (Genesis chapters 37 and 39 to 46) is a powerful example of reconciliation. Having been abused and sold into slavery by his brothers. Yet, at the highpoint of the drama, he is able to forgive them, having seen his brothers’ repentance, and they reconcile. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50.19-20). This story contains several key wisdom principles:

(1) Be reconciled to the right people. Be prayerful in who you undertake reconciliation with.

(2) Be reconciled at the right time. Joseph waited for two long years to see whether his brothers’ repentance was genuine. When the offence is major, it is best to proceed with caution. At other times, when the issue is minor, it is best to seek reconciliation quickly.

(3) Be reconciled in the right context. When Joseph made himself known to his brothers, he did it in person and in private – too much is done hastily and online today.

(4) Be reconciled with the right attitude. Joseph was ready for reconciliation at this point – free from bitterness and revenge. We need to go on a journey of forgiveness if we want to see lasting reconciliation.

> Is there anyone you need to be reconciled to? Pray that God will turn harmful situations into good, just as he did for Joseph. If you are unsure how to proceed, talk to a wise and trusted friend or mentor.