What Are You Running From – and Toward?
Posted by Robert Tamasy on Monday, 22 October 2012 in Monday Manna
In today’s hectic, even frenetic, business world, it seems everyone is running, desperately trying to get to wherever they are headed as quickly as possible. Where are you running? And even better question might be, what are yourunning to – and what are you running from?
Len, a friend of mine, recently gave a talk and raised these questions. I asked if I could borrow his key points and adapt them for “Monday Manna.” He called the talk “Four Qualities of the Man of God,” and I thought they also would apply to “the business and professional person of God.” Even if you do not think of yourself in that way, stay with me because these principles have relevance for us all.
The talk centered on a passage from the New Testament of the Bible, in which the apostle Paul writes to his disciple, Timothy. After asserting, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs,” Paul adds,“But as for you, man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:10-12).
This passage raises four questions all business and professional leaders should consider:
What do you run from? We can run from many things – past failures; personal, professional, even financial obligations; bad experiences and unpleasant memories; stressful situations. But do we run from circumstances that tempt us to compromise our ethics or betray our convictions? This is why followers of Christ are admonished in 1 Corinthians 10:14 to “…flee from idolatry,” meaning anything that would draw them away from cherished beliefs and values.
What do you pursue? As we advance in the workplace, we can pursue numerous things, many of them being good things: promotions, more responsibility, greater contributions to the enterprise in which we are engaged. But we also can become consumed with the pursuit of power, position and possessions, things that appeal to pride. Do we find ourselves pursuing, as Paul urged the younger Timothy, “…righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11)?
What do you fight for? If our family members or friends were in jeopardy, we probably would fight for their safety and security. We often fight for the next sale or the next client, for “market share.” But as Paul urged, do we “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12)? Do we resolve to hold true to our deepest beliefs, even if that could require a professional or personal cost?
What do you hold onto? In the business world there are many things to hold onto – reputations, status, income, even a corner office or prized parking place. But are we just as diligent to hold onto things that are not as tangible but, ultimately, of greater value? As Paul wrote “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called…” (1 Timothy 6:12). Even if we did that, what would it look like in practical, everyday ways? Interesting things to think about, don’t you think?
Matthew 6:33
New International Version (NIV)
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Luke 15:1-10The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. Do you agree that it often seems that most people in today’s workplace are frantically running, even at times when they are no certain where they are going? What are some of your observations about this?
2. What are you running from these days – and what are you pursuing? Why?
3. Think of some things that, if necessary, you would fight for? Explain what they are and your motivation for fighting for them.
4. Imagine holding tightly in a clenched fist the most important things in your life and career. What would those things be, and why are you holding onto them so strongly? Are you holding onto anything that you could never lose? What does it mean to “take hold of the eternal life to which you were called”?
Matthew 6:19-24, 33; Luke 15:1-10; Philippians 3:12-14; 2 Timothy 2:22; James 4:7