A Fresh Start for 2017 - Part 2
To get a fresh start in our daily work in 2017, last time we suggested asking God to accompany you every day throughout the work day. Did you do that? Is He by your side now? It only takes asking.
Then again, maybe you're not sure just what God working by you side by side really means. Given the fact that we all likely have different sorts of work we do, it's hard to come up with examples that apply to this or that specific task or challenge. I can say that in my own work, I've learned to call on Him from time to time to solve a problem, or help me with some particularly difficult or distasteful work I've got to finish. Still, I can't really explain exactly how He helps, except to say He does.
On the other hand, there are some aspects of work that likely apply to many if not most of us. These involve our relations with others - bosses, co-workers, customers and such. Let's take the example of that ubiquitous uncharitable act that infects most workplaces: gossip, and its evil cousin detraction. Here's a concrete situation where want to have God by your side, especially if you've engaged in or are tempted to engage in gossip or, heaven forbid, the sin of detraction. (More on this terrible sin HERE and HERE.) You turn to God, right in the moment of your temptation, and pray for the grace to avoid both the committing as well as the near occasion, of these. Once you develop the habit of keeping God close by, turning to Him in the very moment you need Him becomes second nature. Developing that habit takes work. But in time, you'll succeed, if you've got the will to persist.
Now, in case you're not convinced of just how important keeping God with you at work might be, consider this from Psalm 51, which addresses the issue in rather stark terms. Referencing those who "glory in malice," one whose "tongue hath devised injustice: as a sharp razor," (e.g., gossip, and detraction) Psalm 51 admonishes:
But there's more. We also noted last time how the world around us - for the most part - basically ignores God. Too many of us go about our business and our lives as if He didn't exist. Nothing about either His law or His Love has the least impact on our thoughts, words, or actions each day. Let's turn to Psalm 52 now and grasp once and for all why those who persist in this are heading for a reckoning:
Then again, maybe you're not sure just what God working by you side by side really means. Given the fact that we all likely have different sorts of work we do, it's hard to come up with examples that apply to this or that specific task or challenge. I can say that in my own work, I've learned to call on Him from time to time to solve a problem, or help me with some particularly difficult or distasteful work I've got to finish. Still, I can't really explain exactly how He helps, except to say He does.
On the other hand, there are some aspects of work that likely apply to many if not most of us. These involve our relations with others - bosses, co-workers, customers and such. Let's take the example of that ubiquitous uncharitable act that infects most workplaces: gossip, and its evil cousin detraction. Here's a concrete situation where want to have God by your side, especially if you've engaged in or are tempted to engage in gossip or, heaven forbid, the sin of detraction. (More on this terrible sin HERE and HERE.) You turn to God, right in the moment of your temptation, and pray for the grace to avoid both the committing as well as the near occasion, of these. Once you develop the habit of keeping God close by, turning to Him in the very moment you need Him becomes second nature. Developing that habit takes work. But in time, you'll succeed, if you've got the will to persist.
Now, in case you're not convinced of just how important keeping God with you at work might be, consider this from Psalm 51, which addresses the issue in rather stark terms. Referencing those who "glory in malice," one whose "tongue hath devised injustice: as a sharp razor," (e.g., gossip, and detraction) Psalm 51 admonishes:
Thou hast loved the words of ruin, O deceitful tongue. Therefore will God destroy thee for ever...(Read the rest HERE. Or perhaps read it and weep!)
But there's more. We also noted last time how the world around us - for the most part - basically ignores God. Too many of us go about our business and our lives as if He didn't exist. Nothing about either His law or His Love has the least impact on our thoughts, words, or actions each day. Let's turn to Psalm 52 now and grasp once and for all why those who persist in this are heading for a reckoning:
The fool said in his heart: There is no God. They are corrupted, and become abominable in iniquities: there is none that doth good. God looked down from heaven on the children of men: to see if there were any that did understand, or did seek God. All have gone aside, they are become unprofitable together, there is none that doth good, no not one. Shall not all the workers of iniquity know, who eat up my people as they eat bread?We need to drink these words over and over until they shake us out of our spiritual doldrums, if we need the shaking. There's no wiggle room here for those who might roll their eyes at the idea of inviting God to accompany you in all you do, even at work. Thinking you can keep God confined to only Sundays, or to some segregated "spiritual" slice of your life will not work. Witness:
They have not called upon God: there have they trembled for fear, where there was no fear. For God hath scattered the bones of them that please men: they have been confounded, because God hath despised them. Who will give out of Sion the salvation of Israel? when God shall bring back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.As the footnote in my Bible explains: God has brought to nothing the strength of all those that seek to please men, to the prejudice of their duty to their Maker. Let us rather rejoice with Jacob and be glad with Israel. Let us once and for all welcome Him with open arms in all we do in this Year of Our Lord 2017, and forevermore! Once more...
Happy New Year!
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