The Word Before Work

Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm, to water a land where no one lives, an uninhabited desert (Job 38:25-26)Most people didn’t view the Great Depression as the best time to launch a toy company. But that’s exactly when LEGO, the most successful toy brand of all time, was born.The company’s founder, a devout Christian aptly named Ole Kirk Christiansen, had spent years building a traditional carpentry business. But by the early 1930s, business was slumping while his debts were soaring. So he pivoted to making toys like yo-yos, toy cars, and eventually LEGO bricks.And everyone told him he was out of his mind.“I think you’re much too good for that, Christiansen,” one friend said. “Why don’t you find something more useful to do!” The world was in crisis after all. People needed food, not toys. But Christiansen disagreed. In his own playful life and the life of the business he created to help others play well, Christiansen demonstrated a deep understanding of this truth: We mere Christians can glorify God by embracing fun, beauty, play, and “useless” work because our heavenly Father does the same.That’s what we see in today’s passage. God says that he sends “torrents of rain...to water a land where no one lives.” Why would God make it rain in an uninhabited desert? Apparently just for the fun of it!Commenting on this verse, theologian Dr. R. Paul Stevens says that God’s playful nature should produce in his people a “freedom from the tyranny of utility.” In other words, godly play—not just productivity—pleases God.I’ll be the first to admit that I am glacially slow to learning this. But by God’s grace I am coming to see that play is productive for my soul and my goals. As Dr. Stuart Brown says, “In the long run, work does not work without play.”If you, like me, are not used to playing, let me encourage you to adopt this practice I recently found very helpful: Take stock of your play history. Ask yourself what you did as a kid or as an adult that felt like play. Based on my study of the work of Dr. Brown and others, I define play as any activity that has these 5 characteristics:I would say I “get” to do it rather than “have” to do itI lose track of time while I’m doing itI can’t wait to do it againI can’t stop talking about it with othersI have no deadline to complete the activityOnce you’ve made a list of things that have historically felt like play, schedule 30-90 minutes this week to engage in one of those activities knowing that you, like LEGO’s founder, can glorify God as you do!

Dive into the inspiring life of Fannie Lou Hamer, a woman who transformed personal trauma into a beacon for civil rights. Learn about her harrowing journey—losing her ability to have children due to a non-consensual surgery and facing brutal injustices. Despite extreme adversity, Hamer's story embodies the power of grace and forgiveness. Discover how she rose to advocate for African American voting rights, demonstrating remarkable resilience and unwavering faith in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Five Mere ChristiansDevotional: 1 of 5But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)Today we’re kicking off a new series where I’ll introduce you to five “mere Christians” who show us what it looks like practically to glorify God via seemingly “secular” work. First up? Fred Rogers.At the height of his fame, Rogers received a letter from Kathy Usher about her daughter, Beth, who had a rare brain disease that caused hundreds of seizures a day. The only thing that made them stop? Watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.Before a critical surgery, Kathy wrote to Rogers asking for a signed picture to comfort Beth. But Rogers did one better. He called Beth that night and for nearly an hour, Beth talked to Mr. Rogers about everything from her fear of dying to her longing for friends.But just wait—this story gets crazier. During surgery, Beth slipped into a coma. And Rogers called every single day for two weeks to check on her. After one call, Rogers dialed Beth’s surgeon, Dr. Ben Carson, and asked if he could visit Beth in person. Of course, Dr. Carson and the family agreed. And Rogers flew out the very next day to pray for Beth and perform a private puppet show at her bedside. A few weeks later, she woke up.Reading this story in a Starbucks, tears streamed down my face as I thought, Who does that? The answer: Someone so filled with God’s love that they can’t help but pour it out on others.Fred Rogers accomplished more than most people ever dream while also spending more time with his heavenly Father than most people ever dare. As one of his friends put it, Fred “fiercely guarded his time of quiet and reflection.” And in this, he reflected his Savior who “often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).This points to an important principle: We mere Christians glorify God by making time to experience God’s love so that we can extend God’s love to those we work with.To that end, let me challenge you to put a physical object in your workplace to remind you of the love God has for you. I did this months ago by hanging a replica of a sign that hung in Rogers’s office for decades. It’s a Hebrew printing of Song of Solomon 2:16 which says, “My beloved is mine and I am his.”Do whatever you need to remind yourself of God’s love for you so that you can’t help but extend his love to those you work with today.

Explore the profound link between anxiety and our thought processes. The discussion navigates how uplifting thoughts can combat anxiety, as highlighted in Philippians 4:6-8. It critiques social media's role in perpetuating feelings of loneliness and despair while offering practical strategies to cultivate a healthier mindset. Discover how shifting focus to what is true and admirable can lead to transformative changes in daily life.

Discover the transformative power of following Christ's example through the lives of others. Dive into the importance of Christian biographies and how they can inspire your spiritual journey. The conversation emphasizes gratitude for mentors who've shaped your faith. Additionally, a new book is introduced, promising fresh insights into the lives of influential Christian figures. Tune in for thought-provoking discussions that encourage you to emulate godly values and appreciate the models around you.

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Wisdom for Work from PhilippiansDevotional: 2 of 4Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. (Philippians 2:14-15)Want to “shine among” the non-Christians you work with? Paul tells you how: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Apparently, working without grumbling and complaining was as countercultural in Paul’s day as it is in ours.C.S. Lewis once said that, “Hell begins with a grumbling mood.” The inverse is also true. People can get a whiff of heaven through the joyful mood of its citizens. Dr. Randy Alcorn goes so far as to say that, “Happiness in Christ is one of our most powerful evangelistic tools.”The question, of course, is how can we be joyful and work without grumbling when your co-worker replies all to yet another email or your boss makes an urgent request at 4:45 on a Friday? By focusing on what Christ has done for us.Just a few verses before today’s passage, Paul writes about how Christ “humbled himself by becoming obedient to death” for you and me (see verse 8). “Therefore,” Paul says in verse 14, “do everything without grumbling or arguing.”The cross is the source of our joy amidst less than desirable circumstances. Once you focus on what Christ accomplished for you at Calvary, grumbling about the smell in the office refrigerator feels ridiculous. Tim Keller once compared it to being a “spiritual billionaire…wringing your hands over ten dollars.”Grumbling is so second nature we often don’t notice we’re doing it. Here are three simple ways to prevent, confess, and respond to complaining.First, prevent grumbling by writing Philippians 2:14-15 somewhere you’ll see it while you work. On a post-it note, your phone background—wherever.Second, confess grumbling by creating a grumble jar. And every time you or someone on your team complains, drop in a dollar (or, if you’re like me and never carry cash, an IOU to tally later). My family and I did this recently to break a different habit and it was shockingly effective. We were able to kick our habit in less than a month. Finally, respond to grumbling by expressing gratitude. Think back to the last thing you complained about and thank God for something related to that thing. For example, this morning I grumbled about the house being a mess. But I then said a quick prayer of gratitude that I have children to make said mess.Do whatever it takes to wrestle your grumbling to the ground, believer. Because as Dr. Alcorn put it, “Our happiness makes the gospel contagiously appealing; our unhappiness makes it alarmingly unattractive.”

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Wisdom for Work from PhilippiansDevotional: 1 of 4For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. (Philippians 1:21-22)Today, we’re kicking off a new series exploring wisdom for our work from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, looking at one insight from each of the book’s four chapters.We begin in chapter 1 with Paul’s words that—so long as he’s alive—he will give himself to “fruitful labor” for the kingdom.Those words are countercultural today as retirement remains a goal for the vast majority of Americans. And thanks to the growing “Financial Independence, Retire Early” FIRE movement, Gen Z plans to retire earlier than any previous generation at the ripe young age of 54.How do these people plan to spend the second half of life? The social media bio of a leader of the FIRE movement is telling to that end: “Mr. Money Mustache was a thirtysomething retiree who now writes about how we can all lead a frugal yet Badass life of leisure.”This idea of trading hard work for endless leisure finds zero support in Scripture. Theologian Dr. R. Paul Stevens puts it bluntly: “there is no concept of retirement in the Bible.”Which is why Paul wrote constantly about the Christian’s call to work hard as long as we “go on living in the body.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 is just one example: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”And let’s not forget that while many of us are chasing financial independence, Jesus chased financial dependence (see Matthew 8:20 and Luke 8:2-3). And while many of us are calculating when we can stop working, Jesus said he glorified the Father by finishing the work the Father gave him to do (see John 17:4).God may call you to retire from the work you do for pay. But I guarantee you that he won’t call you to retire from “abounding in the work of the Lord.”Now, before you financial advisors reply to this email in outrage, hear this: There is nothing wrong with saving money for a day when you may no longer be able to work for pay. I do! But to call yourself an image bearer of Christ and then trade a productive life with a life of endless leisure is to take the Lord’s name in vain. You know how lightbulbs shine brightest just before they burn out? That is a picture of the life of Paul and the life of Christ that you and I are made to image. Resolve to image him well as you seek fruitful labor today and to the very end.

Explore how focusing too much on discerning God's will can keep you from acting on it. The discussion highlights the importance of prioritizing action over hesitation in faith. With insights from biblical figures like Paul, it encourages listeners to embrace freedom in decision-making while actively pursuing God's desired path. Get inspired to stop overthinking and start doing!

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: God's Will for Your WorkDevotional: 3 of 4Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)The hardest decision I’ve ever made professionally was to step down as CEO of Threshold 360 six years ago. I loved leading that fast growing tech startup. And I also loved creating faith and work content like these devotionals. But I was convinced that I had to put all my professional eggs in one of those two baskets.I knew neither path was a “higher calling”—I could follow Jesus fully in either role. But I still spent months paralyzed, desperate to discern God’s will for my work.Part of what freed me was today’s passage, knowing that regardless of which path I chose, as long as my heart was submissive to God today, he would make my paths straight tomorrow. As we’ve already seen in this series, Scripture says very little about God’s will for you tomorrow, but a lot about God’s will for you today—namely that he wills us to obey him and walk in the way of The Way, Jesus Christ (see 1 Thessalonians 4:3).So long as you’re doing that, there’s no such thing as a “wrong” decision. As Tim Keller once said, “for a Christian, there is no ‘plan B.’” Because God’s purposes will always prevail (see Proverbs 19:21). That brings me to the third biblical truth for discerning God’s will for your work… Truth #3: There is no wrong way if you are following The Way.Here’s how pastor Jerry Sittser articulated this idea: “If we seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness…then whatever choices we make concerning the future become the will of God for our lives. There are many pathways we could follow…As long as we are seeking God, all of them can be God’s will for our lives, although only one—the path we choose—actually becomes his will.”In other words, it is impossible to seek the kingdom of God and miss the will of God. There is no wrong way if you are following The Way.What decision are you agonizing over at work? Should you stay or leave your job? Go back to school? Say yes or no to a big project? If none of your options violate God’s commands, relax. Pray for wisdom. And unless you hear a clear answer, choose freely and confidently—knowing the Lord will make your path straight.

Explore the fascinating concept of freedom within God's commands as discussed in 1 Corinthians 7. The analogy of kids playing safely within a fenced yard highlights how God allows choices within moral boundaries. Discover why seeking permission for actions already given the green light can limit your faith. Learn to embrace the freedom to make decisions while honoring God's teachings, showing that obeying His commands is what truly counts.