by George | Jun 13, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
The Why
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Do you ever wonder why you do what you do? We all have a lot of things to do each day. It’s easy to get bogged down in all the details, and somehow lose the “why.” I think it’s helpful to remember why you do the things you do… Here’s my story and the “why” I do the chaplaincy thing…
In May of 2003, I was working as a restaurant manager. It was steady employment, but I was not satisfied. One Sunday, I expressed this feeling to the church I was attending. I asked them to help me pray that I would find a fulfilling career.
That afternoon, I looked in the paper and saw that a hospice in Cartersville was looking for a Chaplain.
I prayed earnestly and felt peace about applying. I asked friends to pray as well.
The Lord answered my prayer and allowed me to minister there for 5 years.
Around 2009, a friend of my wife’s noticed that there was an ad in the paper for United Hospice. (UH later became Pruitt Health Hospice.) They were looking for a Chaplain. I prayed about it and applied. The Lord answered that prayer, and by the grace of God, I’m still here.
The best part of what I do is not the “knowledge “ I impart to patients and families. Instead, it’s what they share with me. Hearing their stories. Getting to know these precious folks.
My “why” is the feeling of satisfaction I get from being there and providing comfort to patients with life-limiting illness and their loved ones.
What’s your story? Why do you do what you do? Take some time to get back to the core, the “why” of what you do.
Then, take Solomon’s words to heart and “do it with all your might.”
by George | Jun 6, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Having Fun Getting It Done
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
Colossians 3:23-24
The late Harvey Palmer was a friend of mine. He was a Methodist minister and leader. I met him years ago when I worked at Chick-fil-A. He would come in for breakfast with a group of Methodist ministers.
One day I visited his office. He had a plaque that said:
“HAVING FUN GETTING IT DONE.”
We all have a lot to do in our jobs, but do we truly enjoy our vocation?
Sometimes we get bogged down in the details and the mundane tasks.
But what if we could look beyond the drudgery and find joy as we work?
Certainly, it helps to remember who we are working for. Not man, but God.
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
Colossians 3:23-24
God hasn’t forgotten your work…
“For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having served and by still serving the saints.” Hebrews 6:10
I can truly say I enjoy the work I do as a chaplain and Pastor.
I think it helps to remember “why” you do what you do.
In your vocation, what aspects of the job do you enjoy? As a chaplain, I enjoy hearing the stories of the people I minister to. Sometimes they apologize for talking so long.
I tell them not to apologize, their stories are like gold…
What is the “gold” of your vocation?
Take time to look for it… It’s there!
Remember, your labor is not in vain!
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:58
by George | May 30, 2022 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Praying Like Jesus
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
Matthew 6:9-13
Who do you put more stock in, someone who tells you what to do, and doesn’t do it, or someone who DOES what he tells you to do?
When it comes to prayer, Jesus put into practice what He preached.
“The words “prayer” and “pray” are used at least twenty-five times in connection with Him, and there are many instances in which the fact of His praying is mentioned where the words do not occur. His praying is mentioned by each of the four evangelists. The life of Christ had many marked characteristics, but nothing is more marked than His prayerfulness.” (Whatthebibleteaches.com)
In the “Lord’s prayer” Jesus taught us how to pray. When did Jesus pray?
- Often: “But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” Luke 5:16
- Early in the morning:
“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
Mark 1:35
Early in the morning, it’s dark and cold… I don’t want to get up, I would rather sleep in. But, Jesus didn’t yield to that temptation.
Jesus modeled the way to begin your day.
- All night prayer:
“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them, He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:”
Luke 6:12-13
Important decisions? Sometimes it takes an all-night prayer.
- After work: “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23 When Jesus finished teaching and healing, He took time to pray.
When is the best time to pray? All the time!
“pray without ceasing;”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
May we all strive to pray like the Master!
