A New Year of Seeking Him

“Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart.” (Psalm 119:2)

I love preparing for a New Year. I love opening a new scheduler with its fresh pages as it represents new opportunities and possibilities yet to come.  I love having a point in time to reflect on what was accomplished (or not) in the past year and what I hope to accomplish in the New Year.  I appreciate this appropriate point in time to reflect on what went well and what I hope to improve on. A time to reflect on the intricate balance of work and family and if there is something I can do differently. A time to reflect on what is most important in my life. 

Is there something you would like to start doing, or do differently this New Year?  

• Do you want to be in better health? 

• Do you want to spend more time with family and friends? 

• Do you want to take more time to relax? 

What are the things you are seeking to do better or differently? This can be a little overwhelming as there are many possibilities. As you seek to determine what will be written on the waiting pages of your new scheduler, consider the first “seek” that will make everything fall into place. 

This coming year, my hope is that you will:

• Seek Him with all your heart. 

• Seek Him first in the morning

• Seek Him as you walk into work.

• Seek Him before every decision.

• Seek Him just to be in His presence, and 

• Seek Him before you fall asleep. 

Taking This To God In Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, Your faithfulness and Your presence. As I look back on this past year, I see many times I did not seek You when I faced difficulties or in my everyday moments. I did not seek You during times of blessings to say, “Thank You.”  I did not seek You just to enjoy being in Your presence. Lord, this year, my desire is to seek You more and more in the everyday moments. To seek You first with all my heart in worship of You. My prayer is that the “yet unwritten” pages of this coming year will be filled with moments in Your presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

This year, my prayer is that you will develop the habit of seeking Him in His Word, seeking His guidance throughout each day, and seeking Him in the everyday moments of your life. May the fresh pages of your new planner be filled with the reality of His presence and His blessings. 

May God richly bless you as you consistently seek His presence and His face. Have a wonderful New Year!

Bonny, Christian Women at Work

“BE” Attitudes To Bring With Us To Work

"Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." (Colossians 3:13 MSG)

As we continue reading this passage in Colossians 3, Paul decided to go even deeper in his list of "what to wear/bring to work" than he did in verse 12:

"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline."

In verse 13, Paul now brings up key 'BE' attitudes we are to model in our workplaces:

1. BE EVEN TEMPERED.

One of the best ways to be His witness at work is by keeping our cool when we are tempted to give into anxiety, anger, or a 'bad' attitude when facing a stressful situation or unkind word. Remaining level headed can diffuse a moment and help your upset coworkers or angry client calm down.

"A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire." (Proverbs 15:1)

2. BE CONTENT WITH SECOND PLACE

One of the best attitudes we can bring with us to work is one of being a team player. By putting others first, and being happy for their wins, we are modelling humility and contentment. This attitude will mark you as different from those who do not share your faith, and may spark some conversations where you can share why you are content with not behaving competitively or like a 'lone wolf.'

"Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody." (Romans 12:16 MSG)

3. BE QUICK TO FORGIVE AN OFFENSE, AND DO SO COMPLETELY, JUST AS CHRIST DID TOWARDS YOU

When we offer forgiveness to those in our workplaces who offend us, we release His peace to flow into our relationships, and remove resentment between us. By speaking it to someone who used their words to wound us, we release His healing not only within ourselves, but towards the offender, whether they intended to do so or not. Just as Jesus fully and completely forgives us when we sin, we are to do the same to those who sin towards us.

"Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32 MSG)

Then, at the end of verse 13, Paul reminds us to love. Just as he started verse 12 with the words "new life of love", he confirms we are to wear love. For,

4. LOVE IS TO BE OUR ALL PURPOSE GARMENT WHICH WE ARE NEVER TO BE WITHOUT.

Love is the underlying attitude we are to bring with us to work, for it demonstrates God's love in action to everyone around us. Love is the mindset of God from the beginning towards humanity, and will live on with His children into eternity! How we are to express and show that attitude of love is best outlined below:

"Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first,”

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

but keeps going to the end.

Love never dies.

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8 MSG)

I can't wait to share the last insights on how we can best demonstrate God at work with you all in the new year when we take a closer look together at Colossians 13:15-17.

Karla Lees, Christian Women at Work

How to be "dressed" when at work

"In Colossians 3:12, Jesus says 3 things define us: we are 'chosen (not choice), holy (set apart), and dearly loved.' Then He lists 5 garments of grace He gives us and wants us to wear: 'compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.' Being this loved, let's get/stay dressed." (Scotty Smith)

Last week, we discussed how in the first half of Colossians 3:12 there are three things which should define us as His daughters in the workplace - that we are chosen, holy, and dearly loved by God. (You can read it here: https://www.christianwomenatwork.com/post/how-to-be-defined-when-at-work)

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Colossians 3:12)

This week, let's take a closer look at the five pieces of 'clothing' we are meant to wear at work as listed in the second half of Colossians 3:12:

COMPASSION - This characteristic of God was clearly visible in how Jesus ministered on earth. He offered compassion to those who were outcasts, part of the 'in' crowd, the poor, the rich, the mentally unwell, the physically ill alike. For in Jesus' eyes, each one has equal value to Him as one of His creations.

How can we wear compassion at work?

We can show compassion by asking God to help us see the real person through His eyes, and offer them the same care and respect we would want if we were in their shoes.

KINDNESS - When compassion is our motivation, kindness is the corresponding action. Jesus was exceptionally kind to all, males and females, Jews and Gentiles, children and adults alike.

How can we wear kindness at work?

We can choose to speak kind words and offer kindness whenever and wherever possible, as we deliberately show grace towards a staff or client who is clearly having a rough day or is facing a tough situation.

HUMILITY - Even though Jesus was fully God, He didn't walk around loudly self proclaiming His kingship. He chose to be fully human, and lived a humble life as a traveling rabbi with a varied group of followers. His focus was on making life better for everyone else around Him as He taught about the kingdom of Heaven, and healed their hurts. He first came to serve.

How can we wear humility at work?

We can make others our primary focus, and think less of ourselves in our workplaces. We can try to make their day better as we minister to them as Jesus would, out of a servant's heart.

GENTLENESS - Jesus could have spoken harshly to people as they approached Him, especially the religious leaders in His day. Instead, He asked open-ended questions, and taught through parables. He deliberately touched those who had not been touched for years (lepers, the blind, the mentally unwell).

How can we wear gentleness at work?

We can try watching our words and tone, and asking for wisdom before we respond or approach our staff and clients. By doing so, we can hopefully 'touch' their hearts and help them see we are on their side, willing to help where we can.

PATIENCE - The Bible shows over and over again that God has been, does and continues to be patient with humanity. He sent the prophets to remind His people to remain faithful. He sent Jesus to deal with sin once and for all, instead of unleashing His anger over our failures. His Word is filled with examples of His patience in action.

How can we wear patience at work?

We can begin by holding our tongue when we face a stressful situation or a belligerent customer. We can choose to listen calmly when there is a project delay, and be respectful in our responses.

Author and Pastor Scotty Smith suggests that all these 'what to wear to work' clothes could be referred to as 'garments of grace.'

I have noticed that when love is our main motivation as His daughters, we can express ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience - which combined together are a wonderful expression of grace.

Whatever we are facing, God reminds us that not only does He define us, He gives us the 'clothing' to wear to express His character through us. Just as we could be wearing job specific clothing (i.e. hard hat, dress shirt, suit jacket, tool belt), we can look to God and ask Him what garment we need to be wearing the most in each situation in which we find ourselves at work.

May we live out being deeply loved and choose to stay dressed in this wardrobe He has prepared for us as His daughters everywhere we are, but especially at work.

Karla Lees, Christian Women at Work