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  • Maximizing The Leverage Of Our Latter Years

    Maximizing The Leverage Of Our Latter Years

    Years ago, I began writing a series of essays I called “Fourth Quarter Strategies.” The premise is that while every stage of our professional life is important, our final quarter should be our best. If we remain healthy, living to age 80 and beyond is a reasonable goal. That would mean the last 20-plus years of our lives could be the most productive of all – because of both expertise and experience.

    Some time ago Alan Smith, a staff director for CBMC met with a small group of older Christian business leaders (some of them were retired). He encouraged them to recognize the incredible value they still had for the Lord as well as for younger professionals they interact with in the local marketplace. 

    Smith offered six Bible verses as “food for thought” that share one thing in common: All are found in the first chapter and third verse in their respective books. We believe this is not coincidental, but by design, to underscore the importance older followers of Christ have for God’s purposes. Here are those verses:

    There is no time limit to being fruitful. “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever they do prospers” (Psalm 1:3).

    Wisdom is to be passed down through the generations. “Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation” (Joel 1:3).

    We can serve as examples for others to follow. “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

    Spiritual growth never ends. “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing” (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

    Our prayers make an eternal impact. “I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers” (2 Timothy 1:3).

    Wisdom, understanding and faith are to be shared. “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you may also have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

    As a fellow follower of Christ, I agree with Smith’s perspective on the value of our latter years. Many of us are less encumbered with work demands and more available to serve, teach, mentor and disciple others. God does not want us to sit back and put ourselves on a shelf for our remaining years on earth. 

    In his letter to the Church in Philippi, the Apostle Paul succinctly concluded, “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). His life gives us a beautiful example of how to live our lives to the very end for the Lord Jesus. I encourage you to join me with the attitude of a distance runner determined to reach the finish line strong, focusing on the prize that lies ahead! 

    © 2025, all rights reserved. Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his relationship with God. His goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. A long-time member of CBMC, he started writing “Fourth Quarter Strategies” in 2014.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. How do you relate to the content of this Monday Manna? If you are a younger business or professional person, still building your career, have you taken advantage of the wisdom and experience of older colleagues? If you are in your latter years, have you recognized the value you can continue to bring to the workplace – and to those you encounter each day?
    2. What are obstacles that can prevent or inhibit older and younger people in the marketplace from successfully interacting and benefiting mutually from one another?
    3. If you are a younger person in the marketplace, and an older person were available to meet with you to offer his or her wisdom, experience and knowledge, what things would you like to receive?
    4. If you are one of the people referred to, a veteran of the workforce or retired, what things do you think you have to offer to younger people? How would you go about trying to find someone you could invest in to share experience, insights and wisdom you have gained through many years in the marketplace?

    NOTE: For more about what the Bible says about this topic, consider the following passages:  Psalm 92:12-14; Philippians 1:21-26; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Hebrews 12:1-2

    Challenge for This Week
    Regardless of where we are in our working careers – just getting started, in the midst of our prime years, or moving toward retirement (or already there) – we have much to offer that can benefit one another. This week, try to take some time to think about how you might benefit from the synergy of older and younger people collaborating where you work.

    If you recognize the benefits of spending time with another person in a different stage of his or her career, consider approaching someone to begin such a relationship. Pray that God would lead you to the right person.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Leading in the Uncertain Middle

    Leading in the Uncertain Middle

    By Christopher C. Simpson 

    Beginnings captivate us. Endings bring relief or celebration. But leadership? Leadership happens in the middle – the long, unglamorous stretch where the path forward is not always clear, where crises emerge uninvited, and where the weight of responsibility presses down with relentless force.

    This is where most leaders live. You are managing a team, making decisions, building something meaningful – and suddenly, you are caught in the middle of something far bigger than you expected. An economic downturn. An employee on the brink of collapse. A moral crossroads you never saw coming. The middle is unpredictable, messy, and often exhausting. And it’s right here that leaders begin to ask: What in the world is happening?!

    Here is the challenge: The middle is where fear thrives. When outcomes are uncertain, the temptation is to seize control, retreat, or wait until clarity arrives. But what if clarity never comes? What if God is calling you to lead, not with certainty, but with trust?

    Think about Israel’s story in Exodus. We know the dramatic beginning: Joseph, miraculously raised to power in Egypt, preserving God’s people. We know the triumphant ending: Moses, the plagues, the Red Sea splitting open to provide divine deliverance for the Israelites. But what about the middle?

    For 430 years, generations were born, worked, and died in slavery – clinging to promises they never saw fulfilled: no signs, no timeline, no explanation of how their suffering fit into God’s plan. Yet, history shows us what they could not see: God was working. Behind the silence, His plan was unfolding, preparing a deliverer, setting the stage for redemption. The middle felt like chaos. But it was not chaos. It was divine providence.

    That is where so many leaders stand today. We celebrate success stories and hear about defining breakthroughs. But no one talks about the slow, grueling middle – the years of unseen faithfulness, the sacrifices that feel unnoticed, the tension of not knowing if your efforts will ever pay off.

    Yet this is where God is at work. Your leadership is not just about hitting targets, executing strategies, or climbing the ladder. It is about being faithfully present where God has placed you. And the astonishing truth of Scripture is that He does not wait for you to figure it all out before He moves. He’s not waiting at the finish line with crossed arms. He is in the middle. In the uncertainty. In the pressure. In the very place you are tempted to try to escape.

    And here is the best news: God is not asking for fearless, flawless faith. He delights in leaders who just keep showing up, even when they feel like they are barely holding on.

    So, if you are in the middle right now – leading through uncertainty, shouldering burdens that feel beyond you – know this: You are not abandoned. That thread you are desperately clinging to? It is anchored to an unshakable God. Leadership is not about your ability to control the future. It is about trusting the One who already holds it. Hold on.

    © 2025. Christopher C. Simpson is dedicated to fostering a bold and triumphant Christian faith within the global marketplace, driven by a deep conviction in the Gospel’s transformative power. Before becoming President of CBMC International, Chris dedicated 28 years to a distinguished career in the public sector – as a Commanding Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps; and serving in the U. S. Secret Service, responsible for protecting seven American presidents and leading elite teams in complex, high-stakes international missions. With his wife Ana, a native of Nicaragua, Chris resides in Boca Raton, Florida. 

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. What does it mean to lead with trust rather than certainty? How have you seen God work in situations where you lacked clarity?
    2. How do you recognize God’s presence in the “middle” of your leadership journey? Can you recall a season where you felt you were waiting on God?
    3. Why does God often work behind the scenes instead of giving us immediate answers? How does the story of Israel’s 430 years of waiting in Egypt while enslaved challenge your perspective on God’s timing?
    4. What temptations do leaders face when they feel out of control, and how can we respond faithfully? How can Scripture help you resist the urge to act out of fear rather than faith?
    5. How can we encourage and strengthen others who are leading in the uncertain middle? What can you do to remind your team, colleagues, or family that God is present in their uncertainty?

    Biblical Passages for Further Exploration
    Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” A reminder that leadership is about trust, not personal control.

    Exodus 3:7-8 – “Then the Lord said, ‘I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry… And I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians.’” God sees, hears, and acts—even when it feels like He is silent.

    Psalm 27:13-14 – “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Encouragement for those in the middle, learning to wait with faith.

    2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” A perspective shift on suffering and perseverance in leadership.

    Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” A promise of God’s presence and sustaining power in difficult leadership seasons.

    Challenge for This Week
    When was the last time you found yourself in the ‘uncertain middle’? Perhaps you find yourself there now. This week it might be good to schedule time for you to discuss with others – a trusted friend, mentor, or your advisory group – what you are currently facing, seeking God’s perspective on those challenges.

    Matt Trayler

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  • Four Keys to Success – God’s Way

    Four Keys to Success – God’s Way

    BY RICK BOXX 

    Early in my business career I spent a lot of time thinking about success. No one takes a job hoping or expecting to fail, so the alternative is to figure out how to succeed. At my disposal were books and audiotapes about achieving success, conferences where success tips were shared, and the insights of more seasoned people that I worked with.

    Years later, after striving to succeed in a variety of ways, I discovered a timeless, proven strategy for success. I found it in the Bible. The Scriptures provide many principles for experiencing a successful life and career, but here are four of the many examples that have stood out for me:

    In Genesis, we read that Abraham’s servant was given a very important responsibility. He was to travel to Abraham’s homeland and find a wife for Abraham’s son, Isaac. Success was critical. To travel over 400 miles and come back with the wrong woman would be disastrous for the servant. 

    Once the servant arrived at Abraham’s homeland, the servant still had the daunting task of determining which woman should he invite to return with him for Isaac. This servant wisely understood his task was impossible without God. So, he implemented the first key to success God’s way: He prayed. 

    In Genesis 24:12 the servant prayed, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.” To experience success God’s way, turn to Him in prayer. 

    Joseph is another example. He went from being in prison to becoming Pharoah’s right-hand man, being entrusted with power over all of Egypt. Genesis 39:23 states, “The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” 

    The second key to success God’s way is knowing success comes from God. If we seek God’s presence and obediently do what He asks of us, success is far more likely. God was with Joseph. 

    Imagine succeeding the most renowned leader of your time and being asked to perform the one feat your predecessor failed to do. This is precisely what Joshua faced when Moses anointed his replacement.   Joshua was fearful and seeking reassurance, but also wanted to know how he could possibly succeed. 

    In Joshua 1:8 God told Joshua, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” The third key to success God’s way is to meditate on and learn God’s Word.

    Unfortunately, learning and meditating on God’s Word only gets you so far. Joshua was informed, but he also had to “be careful to do everything written in it.” Many business leaders quote God’s Word, but if we want God’s favor, He expects our obedience. 

    Proverbs 2:6 states, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.” God wants us to succeed in our mission, but it requires us to follow the fourth key to success: obey His Word daily!

    © 2025, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from “UBN Integrity Moments”, a commentary on faith at work issues. Visit www.unconventionalbusiness.org. UBN is a faith at work ministry serving the international small business community.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. Without considering what you have just read in this Monday Manna, suppose a young business or professional person were to ask you, “What are the keys to success in the marketplace?” How would you answer?
    2. Many people would state that God has nothing to do with a person’s success, that it is all up to their own abilities, determination and initiative. What response would you have for them?
    3. Can you think of any other principles for success that you have seen presented in the Bible? Do you agree that seeking to achieve success God’s way is the best way? Why or why not?
    4. Have you ever prayed about a situation or problem you were facing in the workplace? If so, what kind of response did you receive – if any? How has that shaped your perspective on prayer as it relates to job responsibilities? 

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Psalm 119:9-11,14-16,24; Matthew 6:25-27, 33; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

    Challenge for This Week
    You might consider setting aside some time this week to consider and perhaps re-evaluate your approach toward success – both at work and in your life in general. 

                Find someone to discuss this with – a mentor, an accountability partner, members of your CBMC group if you are in one. What are their perspectives on success, and how do they relate to the four keys to success God’s way as cited in this Monday Manna.

    Matt Trayler

  • An Important Part of Work is Getting Enough Rest

    An Important Part of Work is Getting Enough Rest

    BY ROBERT J. TAMASY

    Someone described spectator sports in this way: Thousands of fans sitting in their seats – people desperately in need of exercise – watching athletes desperately in need of rest. Many of us have a great need for more physical activity. At the same time, however, rest is something we also require – especially as we negotiate the stressful, frenetic business and professional world.

    Years ago, I had been in the midst of a very hectic schedule: Lots of early morning meetings, demanding daily schedules and deadlines, and a considerable amount of travel. An illness suddenly stopped me in my tracks. Forced to remain at home for several days, I would sit down and try to do some important reading but very quickly would fall asleep. I had not realized how weary I had become. A few days later I was back to work, reinvigorated, and keenly aware of my need for getting sufficient rest.

    In some professions the 40-hour week is regarded as working ‘part-time.’ It is not unusual for people in some businesses to work 70, 80, even 100 hours a week! While there might be times when such schedules are unavoidable, working at that pace over long periods of time will inevitably take a toll physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally – and spiritually.

    The Scriptures speak to this. While we often read calls to action and faithful service to God and His purposes, we also find instructions to rest – both body and spirit. Here are some examples:

    Rest is fitting for everyone – even God. The first chapter of Genesis describes all God did in creating the heavens, the earth, and all of the universe. Then we are told once His work was done, He chose to rest. “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work” (Genesis 2:2).

    God designed us for rest. One of the 10 Commandments is for us to set aside a day for “sabbath rest,” hitting the pause button from all our labors, regardless of what form they may take. No matter who we are, no matter what we do, we all need time to rest. “Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest, even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest” (Exodus 34:21). 

    Sabbath rest is a gift, not a burden. When God ordained the Sabbath day, He did not do so to institute new regulations. He did it for our benefit, to remind us of the importance of rest and renewal. “Then [Jesus] said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath’” (Mark 2:27). 

    Taking time to rest can be a form of worship. One of the worst admonitions anyone can make is, “Do as I say, not as I do.” When God instructs His people to rest, He points to Himself as an example of doing just that. “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God, for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His” (Hebrews 4:9-10). 

    There is a time to work – and a time to rest. Many of us are busily trying to do things for God, and that is good. But the Scriptures also tell us there is a time to slow down, rest, and focus on Him. “Trust in the Lord and do good…. Delight yourself in the Lord…. Commit your way to the Lord…. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him…” (Psalm 37:3-7). 

    © 2025. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; and The Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.

    Reflection/Discussion Questions

    1. Describe your typical work schedule each week. If an objective observer were to evaluate it, do you think you would be regarded as working excessively, even being a so-called ‘workaholic’? Why or why not?
    2. How good are you at resting? When you take time to rest and relax, what does that look like? Do you think you give yourself sufficient time to recharge physically and mentally?
    3. What role do you think that rest – taking a deliberate break from work, for a few minutes or a day or even a week – can play in our spiritual growth and development?
    4. In what ways can a commitment to getting sufficient rest affect our productivity at work, as well as our sense of joy, satisfaction and fulfillment in what we do?

    NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Deuteronomy 5:12-14; Psalm 23:1-4, 46:10; Isaiah 40:29-31; Matthew 11:28-30; Mark 6:30-31

    Challenge for This Week
    Looking at the week ahead of you, do you feel rested, refreshed and renewed, or do you feel weary and beaten down even before the week gets underway?

    Take some time to pray and reflect on your balance between work and rest. We are called to work diligently and faithfully, but if we are not sufficiently rested, eventually that will be reflected in the quality and quantity of our work. It might be helpful to discuss this with a mentor and small group of trusted friends.

    Matt Trayler

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