baldinbusiness

Theological thoughts about the workplace

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

In point 3 of Monday’s post, I talked about language as an indicator of organizational health. I observed that sometimes leaders use personal pronouns to take sole credit for their leadership achievements, or occasionally to pass responsibility on to others when discussing perceived failures. What about the use of profanity? I believe these word choices are likewise a strong indicator of our own spiritual health.

As a follower of Jesus, such words should not come out of my mouth. That said, they occasionally do.

Like lust, greed, and pride, the use of profanity is something I am not proud of. There are countless spiritual reasons this is so, but since these posts are about the workplace, here are just three (there are more) reasons why profanity is unbecoming of a leader:

1. Profanity is an indicator of a lack of self-control.

2. Profanity is an indicator of a weak argument, or weak leader.

3. Profanity is entirely unhelpful “for building others up.”

Jesus said, “what goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, this is what defiles them (Matthew 15:11). “Defile” means to spoil, and that’s exactly what profanity does to one’s leadership.

It takes intentionality, wisdom, and an unhurried spirit, to not use profanity when stress compounds (remember: stress = fear. More to come on this in a few weeks). Left to my own sinful desires, however, and the ugly words emerge.

I have discovered that trying harder to stop this does not work.

As spiritually aloof as this may sound, reconnecting with God through prayer, immersing myself in His word, and practicing solitude, all help me in this pursuit. In fact, over the next three #TheoThursdays I am going to consider how these “spiritual disciplines” impact my leadership, and our business.

But first, let’s put a bow on the topic of profanity.

Whether you are a Christ follower or not, I challenge you to reconsider your words. Do they tear down, or build up? Sticks and stones do break bones, and watch the news, because when a leader uses words callously, they’re not only defiling their own leadership, but abusing others in the process.

Let’s choose them wisely.

Theological thoughts about the workplace

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility, value others above yourself.” Philippians 2:3.

The other day I wrote about my desire for the approval of others with regards to this blog. The Bible often calls this desire “pride.” Or as a contemporary dictionary defines it, “a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements.”

While the Bible clearly–and often–condemns pride, today’s culture encourages us to look to our achievements as a source of personal fulfillment.

So how do we maintain a spirit of humility in the achievement-driven, results-oriented modern workplace?

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.” In his first letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul challenges Christ followers to “do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Self, in the Christian life, is not primary. God is. Thus, “one’s own achievements” are not ours at all—they have been done through Him and for Him. Humility is being thankful for what God gives us. Both good and bad. Any glory we receive should be deflected off of us and on to Him. Any setbacks we encounter should not shake us when we remember all is ultimately part of God’s perfect plan. (Actually, in 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul recognizes a “thorn in his flesh” as a tool to “keep [him] from becoming conceited”! Could setbacks even be used for our good?)

“Rather in humility, value others above yourself.” Problematic with the world’s view is that nothing is ever gained solely by “one’s own achievement.” In fact, nothing in human history has ever been achieved by one individual. (This blog took the help of several people after all!) Humility is being thankful for all the people who have helped you achieve what you have. But it goes even beyond that. Humility “values others above yourself.” It means making decisions not based on what it best for us, our schedule, or our wallet; but rather, what is best for others.

When you really think about it, valuing others above yourself IS LEADERSHIP.

It is the kind that everyone applauds, but can never be found when applause is what is being sought.

For there is no true leadership without true humility.

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.” Mark 2:27

In last week’s post, I wrote about how leaders should stop, and take a sabbath. So, what are the implications?

What I have learned, and what can be true for you:

Resting reminds me that I am not indispensable. The world keeps moving, and so does our business. Thus, the second benefit of rest is its ability to produce humility in one’s soul. I am reliant on others for everything, and so are you.

Deeper, however, is rest’s ability to sharpen trust.

Perhaps I need to ask a question to explain this.

Why won’t I rest? Why did I refuse to take a week off lifting weights in 2018?

Why do others struggle to rest? For example, why does our sales team resist turning their phones off for a day?

Because, in this life, enough will never be enough.

Rest rips the band-aide off this reality, exposes the fool’s gold for what it is—foolish–and forces one to contemplate the sober reality that all their efforts will not produce enough.

Enough of what?

Anything!

And this is why – I won’t speak for you – I resist rest with every fiber in my being.

Pausing the chase for one second puts me two seconds behind.

And yet…

“On the seventh day he [God] rested from his work” (paraphrase) Genesis 2:2.

And it was good.

Here is the epiphany: Leaders that rest can truly lead because they trust God to provide, and others to thrive.

Leadership is no longer about their search for enough.

It is no longer about them.

It is about us.

And that’s why the organization benefits when the leader rests in this reality.

A final note to the skeptic, God worked six days out of seven. And then he rested. Get it?

Theological thoughts on the workplace

“Remember the sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Exodus 8:20

I’ve led a couples community group for ten years and the most push-back I have ever received was over challenging the group to observe the Sabbath.

I’ve led a sales team the last five years and some of the strongest push-back I have ever received was over suggesting that they turn email off on vacation.

Welcome to the twenty-first century.

And I’m not throwing stones. I struggle with this immensely. In fact, I failed to take one week off exercising the entire 2018.

Ask my wife how that worked out. I am sure she has grown tired about me whining about my shoulder injury (since August), and now a leg injury.

Remember the Sabbath?

Leaders need to know when to stop.

In reading the Gospel, I always find it fascinating that Jesus withdrew from crowds to rest. For example, he fed the 5,000, and then “he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone” (Matthew 14:23).

If that was written about me, it would go something like this: “He got up at 5 a.m. to workout, worked all day, answered a bunch of emails, digested a bunch of leadership information – all to make him feel ‘good enough’ and ‘competent.’ Then, he went home where he was distracted, and still thinking about the day. He didn’t make time to feed the starving or rest.”

Resisting the urge to move forward, I am going to revisit this topic next week. In part 2, I want to consider the benefits of obeying this command – taking a Sabbath – and examine the benefits of rest to organizational leadership.

Before leaving, however, I do have a challenge.

Rest this week.

I haven’t lifted a single weight the last seven days.

2019 has already been an improvement.