iWork4Him PowerThought

For the first two decades of our marriage, Jim and I did youth ministry as volunteers. We spent thousands of hours with kids from various backgrounds and family structures. I worked with girls who were daughters of pastors and daughters of high-powered executives, some from broken families and some from healthy solid families. These relationships often started when these girls were 11 or 12 and continued until they graduated from high school. However, two special relationships have lasted over 35 years. These two young ladies I invested my Jesus life into are now parents of teenagers. To have lived a lifetime with them has been such a reward to me and my faith. Are you intentionally investing your Jesus life in someone today? You are surrounded by others who need you to live life alongside them.

My husband Jim and I are very different. He has done a lot of formal mentoring, and I tend to do more informal mentoring. Over the years, I have taken the time to live life alongside so many different women. Some older than me, some younger than me. Since Jim and I are involved in marriage mentoring with Christian Entrepreneurial couples, I often spend time with the wives working life out with them. You see, mentoring for me looks like phone calls, drop-in visits, shopping trips, and texting. The women I pour my Jesus life into rarely have time to meet for coffee, but we can share coffee over the phone or Facetime just the same. My mentoring often looks scattered and informal, but I am available when needed and recognize that just stepping out for a call is part of my discipleship ministry. Who do you pour your Jesus Life into?

If there is one thing, I learned from my first mentor, Mike, it is that mentoring and discipleship is something to be done in the context of life and not in a hurry. It was not a box to be checked but time to be set aside. It was an investment of Mike's life into mine and, honestly, as it turns out, an investment of my life into Mikes. Since I experience God differently than Mike, he learned things from me too. It's important to understand that every time you pour your Jesus life into someone else, you will, in return, have their Jesus Life poured into you. This interchange is part of the process of disciple-making. Mentoring with discipleship takes time, but it is an investment that pays lifelong & eternal rewards. Pour your Jesus life into someone and watch them pour back into you. It will change your life for the better.

As a 16-year-old and a new believer of just 3 years, I needed someone to invest their life in mine. Was that discipleship or mentorship that I needed? Enter - Mike. Many would argue that being a disciple-maker is inherently different than being a mentor. Mentors often help someone become more like the mentor; Disciple makers help someone become more like JESUS. Discipleship invites someone to follow us as we follow Jesus and then step aside so that we can learn directly from the Master Himself. I argue that Mike poured his Jesus life into my life and taught me not just about Jesus but about life and Jesus – no matter what you call it. As believers, everyone needs a Paul figure that will pour their Jesus Life into them and a Timothy to pour their Jesus life into. Being mentored and mentoring others has rapidly deepened my faith. Get a mentor and start mentoring today.

Don't hang up on God! A friend shared this insight when she realized God wants to be with her at work and all day, not just during her morning quiet time. Imagine that God is right next to you throughout the day as you sit at your desk, meet around the conference room table, deliver that presentation, or make that sales call. Scripture tells us that we are God's co-workers, and that is true in all of the work we do. Yet, we are more prone to ignore His presence. We neglect to ask for His direction, wisdom, and strength. Jesus told us that apart from Him, we can do nothing, but as we abide in Him, our lives will be fruitful (John 15:5). You'll have to be intentional. What can you do to remind yourself to turn to God throughout your day, to simply pause, pray, and obey?

Your voice matters. No matter what you've experienced or been told, your ideas, creativity, and perspectives are important contributions to your work. Unfortunately, many women have been ignored, overlooked, and had their ideas stolen by others. Someone may have assumed you are more junior than you are. As difficult and discouraging as those experiences can be, other people don't get the final say about our value or our contribution. We are God's co-workers, called to partner with Him in our work. Bring those difficult situations before God in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what He wants you to do and say. Pray for your co-workers and for your organization, then do the next right thing with boldness and courage. The tougher the situation, the more glory God gets. Praise Him and thank Him in advance, then watch God work on your behalf.

We all have two voices speaking to us daily—God's still, small, loving voice and the accusing, fear-ridden, loud voice of the enemy. How can you tell the difference? If it's encouraging, uplifting, life-affirming, convicting yet loving, aligned with Truth, you can be sure it is from God. If it brings fear, insecurity, anger, condemnation, or confusion, you can be sure it's from the enemy. Whose voice should you listen to? I recommend choosing God. Every. Time. We all face battles at work that make us vulnerable to a myriad of thoughts. But God gives us the victory. Whether you're facing unfair treatment, conflict, failure, or just feel stuck, turn to your Father. Pray for that difficult boss or co-worker. Pray for wisdom in that challenging circumstance. Ask God to turn your situation around for good. Listen for His direction and take obedient action. Then anticipate a miracle! Remember, God is for you!

You, dear sister, were created in God's image. Man and woman were given the same cultural mandate to fill and subdue the earth. Your talents and desire to make an impact through your work are planted in you by your Creator. Your purpose is to steward those talents for His glory by continually leaning on Him. No one else will use your talents in quite the same way you do. You will reach, impact, and connect with people who others never will. God needs every single one of us to work like He is our CEO—Chief Eternal Officer. What you do in partnership with God for His glory will have eternal impact. So today, as you tackle the mundane and struggle to climb the mountains, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and your goal to bring Him glory. Because it doesn't all depend on you—it depends on you depending on Him!

Who you are is not the sum of your past mistakes, successes, or talents. You are a daughter of the one true King, created in Christ Jesus, to do work that brings glory to God in your own unique way. Even when no one else seems to notice you, God sees everything you do to support others, contribute to the success of your organization, and share His love. God hears every prayer you whisper, cry, or scream. He is working even when you don't see it. There is nothing He allows that He won't redeem. Today, through the challenges and hard work, pause and acknowledge God's presence with you. He's right there, and He wants to give you strength, joy, peace, and rest, dear sister. All you have to do is ask. He loves you more than you could possibly know.

This week, in collaboration with www.followerofOne.org, we are celebrating the act of going on a marketplace mission trip to your workplace. We recognize that our workplace is our mission field assigned by God. Day Five of our marketplace mission trip focuses on operating excellently while we perform our job duties. If we are committed to hard work, meeting deadlines, and caring for others, it will show. Your boss will appreciate the good example you give, and it will impact others positively. Additionally, when you operate with excellence in your position, combined with love for others, and a servants heart, people you work with will ask what drives you, what motivates you, or what's different about you. Be the best worker in your position at work today, and join us on our upcoming iWork4Him Marketplace missions trip.