God wants to build a testimony in each of us! Start your day with a simple prayer: “Lord use me today. I want to be a good influence in the life of those I interact with. Let Jesus be seen in me. Your Kingdom come, and your will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”
If you need a little help getting started, pray the Lord’s Prayer out loud and meditate on it as you start your day. See Matthew 6: 9-13.
I was quite surprised when I first read this verse of scripture and saw the connection between being filled with the Spirit of God and work. In most church settings, being filled with the Spirit has an array of theological explanations and purposes. But, as we notice in this verse of scripture, the Lord himself (see Ex. 31:1) is speaking this truth and is highlighting His interest in and His desire to be involved in your work life!
What does that mean? Well, many things, far more than we can even know I am sure. But one thing is clear from this passage. He was speaking to Bezalel, the man who was selected to build the tabernacle, the ark, the mercy seat (see Ex. 31:7), and he promised him “wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of work. ((Ex. 31:3)
That is exactly what you need when you go your marketplace setting! Problems you don’t know how to solve; God gives wisdom. Situations you cannot comprehend, God gives understanding. When the manual (or your training/experience) gives no answer to this problem, God gives knowledge. And all of this is wrapped up in the fact that His Spirit lives in you and is filling you for your work!
In his book, the War of Art, Steven Pressfield tells the story of British playwright, Somerset Maugham (1874-1965). Pressfield recalls someone once asking Maugham if he wrote on a schedule or only when struck by inspiration. “I write only when inspiration strikes,” he replied. “Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.”
Pressfield’s book is about the power of showing up every day and doing your work. For me, inspiration, when it comes, strikes around 9:00 every night. Truthfully, most nights it would be easier for me to skip the writing. There is a resistance, and it scares me to no end.What if I can’t think of anything to write about? What if they don’t like it? What if no one comments? What if? What if? What if?
Leaders resist the resistance. They show up and do the work.
Like me, there will be places today where you are tempted to quit.
Don’t! We need you. Your team needs you. Your family needs you. There is work to be done … Terrifying work.
I say, resist the resistance and do that work.
You might even find yourself inspired.
I hate the word actually. Recently I received a compliment from someone that left me feeling deflated. All because of an actually.
I believe the exact words were, “You actually did a good job on that project.” Translation …. “I’m surprised, because you usually don’t do that well.
Your team members want me to remind you … Leave off the Actually.
“You actually look nice today.” ”That’s actually pretty good.” “You actually came through this time.”
Not cool!
If you want to be a better coach and motivator for your team, Leave off the Actually.
