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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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  • Answering God’s Call to Be A Craftsman

    Answering God’s Call to Be A Craftsman

    From the beginning, God has always valued excellence.

    “Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron…” —Exodus 28:3

    “Make the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen—the work of skilled hands.” —Exodus 28:6

    God didn’t call just anyone to design the garments for His high priest. He called skilled workers. Craftsmen. Men to whom He had given wisdom.

    Gentlemen, here’s a reality check. Too many men walk through life undervaluing their work and their skills. Instead of approaching their work like craftsmen, they chase paychecks, coast on talent, and settle for “good enough.” You either know guys who approach their work like that—or maybe you feel like that guy right now.

    The message for you today? God wired you for more. Whether you work with steel or spreadsheets, marketing strategies or mechanical tools, financial planning or job sites—your work matters. And, when done with intention, that work becomes your act of worship.

    The Value of Godly Wisdom
    When God said He had given wisdom to the skilled workers in Exodus, He was pointing to a truth we can’t miss: real wisdom comes from Him. It’s the kind of insight that helps you make decisions when the path isn’t clear. It’s discernment amid pressure. It’s a strategy bigger than an idea your mind could come up with. Never take that lightly. God doesn’t waste wisdom and He doesn’t hand it out without a purpose.

    Developing Your Skills
    God may have given you wisdom, but He also expects you to develop it. It requires a commitment to your craft—training, failing, getting feedback, showing up daily, and doing it again tomorrow. The world needs more men who are dangerous with their skill sets—not sloppy or entitled, but dialed in and constantly growing. If God gave you the raw material, it’s your job to shape it.

    Having a Godly View of Work
    Before sin ever entered the world, God placed Adam in the garden to work it and take care of it. That was holy ground, and the work Adam did there was holy work. The same is true for you. Your job, your business, your craft—it’s about more than making a living. A Godly view of work sees every task as an opportunity to worship, every meeting as a mission field, and every client as someone God’s placed in your path.

    Yes, You’re a Craftsman
    Your hands are tools. They were designed to build, lead, shape, and influence. You are a true craftsman. Not just because of your skills—but because the God of the universe gave you wisdom. He’s entrusted it to you, and now He’s asking you to steward it.

    Just like the men called to make Aaron’s garments, your work can carry a sacred weight. It can reflect God’s excellence. It can make a difference.

    Today—don’t just do your job. Be a craftsman. Take pride in your precision. Sweat the details. Create with purpose. Honor God with your craftsmanship. Never forget… your skilled hands? They’re not just yours…

    They’re His, and He’s got a purpose for them.

    Written by John Gamades

    Matt Trayler

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  • 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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  • My Word of 2025: Not One That I Wanted

    My Word of 2025: Not One That I Wanted

    I’ve never been someone who had a word of the year, or heard God “give me a word.” That said, whenever people would bring up “their word,” I would get a little wound up about it. If they heard from God and got a word, and I wasn’t hearing the same, I would get a little chippy with them. Maybe I was jealous or felt left out, but the question was always the same. Why wasn’t I getting a word? And, if I wasn’t getting a word, why was God giving them out to everyone else?

    A word of warning… Be careful what you wish for.

    About two months ago, it started. It would come up in conversations. I’d hear it in blog posts. Someone would recommend a book, and I’d see it there. It would be the topic of a sermon, and then I’d hear it in a podcast. All of a sudden, one word kept showing up everywhere, and I couldn’t get away from it.

    What was it?

    Release.

    Hindsight being twenty-twenty, I assume that this word has been circling me for a while. My wife would tell you that I’m not always a great listener. Perhaps God had been telling me to release for years, and I was missing the message? Maybe he chose this time, right now, to yell it a little louder?

    Either way, I feel like God has given me this word. It would be easy to attribute it to something more random or to say that I made it up in my head because it’s the word I wanted to hear. I get that, but here’s the reason I think otherwise.

    I can’t stand this word.

    This word that God has given me, “release,” is not a word I would have picked or chosen on my own. Maybe He could have given me “gather” or “conquer” as my word. I would have liked those better. How about “victory” or even “worship?” Again, those would have been easier to onboard for me.

    “Release” is a more challenging word for me. The whole concept of releasing is tough. I’m an entrepreneur who craves control in every area of my life. I live in a cause-and-effect world. I do my work and cause things to happen, and then the effects come. Results drive everything I do, and often, I like to think I am the creator of those results.

    That’s where “release” comes in. I feel like it is God’s reminder to me that I am not the creator of my results. I am a steward of my business, my team, my finances, my family… and nothing more. I am called to show up in all of those areas and expected to do my part of the work. And then, (here’s where it gets challenging for me), I am being called to release it.

    I’m being called to release the business I lead. I am being called to release my finances. I am being called to release my marriage and my kids who are now off at college. I am called to release my health.

    Releasing isn’t an excuse to be lazy. On the contrary, it’s pushing me to do my part and be a good steward. As long as I do that, I can live in confidence that God’s in charge of the rest of it. My protector, my provider, my healer, my Savior, my everything… He’s got it all under control.

    So, with that in mind, my journey for this new year is one of release. I’m not entirely sure how it will go or what God is about to teach me, but here’s one thing I do know for sure… Whenever I share this story of release, everyone I share it with has an area that this concept of releasing resonates. No one has told me yet that they don’t have something they need to release. At our core, we all have an area of our life where our internal control freak is holding on too tight. We grip too hard.

    So, my question for you is this…

    Will you join me this year on this journey of release? Will you look for that one area where you need to let something go, and will you give it to God?

    I have no idea where this will take us, but I have confidence that God’s got it.

    So, let’s release it and see what happens.

    John Gamades, Author

    WAR: A Tactical Guide for Christian Men

    Conquer: Daily Devotions for the Christian Man

    CBMC Webmaster

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  • When Jesus Shows Up at Work: Lessons from the Shepherds

    When Jesus Shows Up at Work: Lessons from the Shepherds

    What happens when Jesus meets you at work?

    The shepherds were at work when they encountered the angels. They were in the fields tending their flocks—engaged in the ordinary, routine tasks that defined their days. In the midst of their work, something extraordinary happened. From out of nowhere, an angel appeared with a message that changed their lives forever.

    And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

    –       Luke 2:8-12

    The Savior had been born, and the shepherds were invited to witness His arrival.

    “​​So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

    –       Luke 2:16-18

    From the fields to the manger, this moment of transformation is a powerful reminder of how Jesus meets us in the everyday. Just as the shepherds were called out of their routine to experience the miraculous, we, too, are invited to encounter Jesus in profound ways, even in our professional lives.

    The Ordinary of Our Work

    We spend our days managing spreadsheets, leading our teams, jumping between calls, and serving customers. We’re not shepherds, but our work often feels routine. We’re in the “fields” of modern life. The demands of deadlines, goals, and responsibilities leave little room for awe or reflection. Too often, we lose sight of how God can work through even our most mundane tasks.

    The shepherds’ story reminds us that no part of our work is too insignificant for God to use. The fields were the shepherds’ workplace, and that’s exactly where the angel showed up to them. The same holds true for us—our workplaces are not separate from our faith journeys. They’re connected more than we know.

    Stepping Toward the Manger

    When the shepherds heard the angel’s message, they immediately left their fields and flocks to see Jesus. Their willingness to step away from their work to go and be with Jesus speaks volumes. So does the fact that God chose them to hear this message. The shepherds were everyday workers, yet they were chosen to stand in awe at the manger.

    Think about your work life… We often hesitate to step away from the urgent for the important, but the Christmas story calls us to make room for moments of awe, worship, and transformation. It calls us to pause—amid deadlines, meetings, and projects—to reflect on the miracle of Christ’s birth. When we do this, we experience the extraordinary in our ordinary.

    Living Transformed Lives

    After visiting the manger, the shepherds returned to their fields, but they were changed. They glorified and praised God, carrying the joy of their experience back to their workplace. This is the heart of the Christmas story: It’s an encounter with Christ that transforms us and brings meaning to our lives.

    This year, as we celebrate Christmas, let’s take a cue from the shepherds. Take the time to pause amid the chaos of work to reflect on the miracle of Christ’s birth. Allow His presence to transform your perspective on work, shifting it from routine to worship. Let’s carry the joy of the manger into our offices, to our meetings, and through our businesses, glorifying God in all we do.

    To each of you this season, Merry Christmas!

    –       John Gamades, Author of WAR: A Tactical Guide for Christian Men

    CBMC Webmaster

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  • Seek Him First (Not Second, Third, or Last)

    Seek Him First (Not Second, Third, or Last)

    When I first started reading my Bible and trying to have a morning quiet time, I didn’t really have the tools to do it well. Frankly, no one had ever equipped me to have a quiet time. I had no tools.

    Truth be told, my early quiet times were an exercise in checking the box. I’d open my Bible, read some passages, and end up with little or no idea what God was trying to tell me. In fact, by 8:00 AM, when I rolled into the office, I couldn’t recall what I had read. Nothing stuck.

    Then, in a men’s study I was in, some men fed into me and coached me on what to look for while reading my Bible. One of the things those men taught me was to look at the words I was reading more carefully. As a writer and author, I know how much words matter. As a reader, I had been going too fast to catch some of those words God was giving me… until I slowed down.

    Fast forward to this morning. During my quiet time, God put Matthew 6:31-33 on my heart.

    “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:31-33

    Specifically, God gave me two words this morning…

    “Seek first.”

    Looking at Matthew 6:31-33, we are told to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” When we do that, the other things we’re worried and anxious about will fade away. The Word tells us our challenges will be taken care of as long as we approach them in the right order.

    Too often, though, I approach things in a different order. As a man who still likes to believe I am in control, I include God second, third, or at the end when all else fails. I set my goals, define what my day will look like, check in with my assistant, and review our numbers. Then, when I feel like I have everything locked down, I pull God into the conversation, almost as an afterthought. 

    I just came back from a trip into the mountains. After days in the backcountry with mountains on the horizon every day, I realized that I have a handful of personal mountains in front of me right now… mountains that I need to include God in first… mountains that will require God to be more than just an afterthought.

    In Matthew 17:20, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

    I want my mountains to move. They’re big, and if I am going to be honest, I cannot move them on my own no matter how hard I try. Looking at Matthew 6:31-33 and 17:20, there is a clear correlation between the size of my faith and seeking God first. If my faith is real, and I truly trust God to move my mountains, I will make him my go-to… not a last-ditch alternative.

    I will seek Him first.

    Men, that’s my challenge for each of you today. Whatever mountain you’re facing, set aside your desire to control it. Seek God first, not last. Then, having faith in his love and ability, let Him move the mountain for you. Let’s get this in the right order as we lead our businesses, families, churches, and communities.

    Encourage one another in this, celebrate God’s hand in moving our mountains, and seek Him first together.

    John Gamades, Author of WAR: A Tactical Guide for Christian Men

    CBMC Webmaster

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  • Abide: How Staying Connected Transforms Everything

    Abide: How Staying Connected Transforms Everything

    During a recent Bible study, we spent some time looking at John 15, specifically verses 4-9, which included the word “abide.”

    “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” – John 15:4-9, ESV

    I want everything in those verses for my life. I want to bear fruit. I want to be able to ask my Father for help and trust He has my back. I want to live as a disciple and be in His love.

    For that to be a reality, I need to abide.

    I often catch myself rushing past verses like this – the kind of verses I’ve heard since grade school multiple times over. I‘ve slipped into an all-to-common, “yeah, I already know this” mindset. That’s where I was sitting before this recent Bible study, and then one of the guys I was with made us all dig a little deeper…

    What does it mean to abide?

    The NIV translation puts it like this, “Remain in me.” The Message version says, “Live in me.” The word “abide” has other meanings as well. Those include accept, stay, wait, stay, dwell, be held, kept, and be present.

    “Abide” is a reminder for us to stay connected.

    One of the guys I was with at that Bible study painted the picture clearly. Truth be told, I don’t know a lot about vines. I do know about trees. In Minnesota, they’re everywhere I look. So, imagine a branch on a tree. Cut that branch off the tree and throw it on the ground. How long will it live once it’s laying on the ground, separated from the tree? How long will the leaves stay green before they wither and die?

    They may stay green for a while, but that will be short-lived. We all know what’s going to happen to that branch.

    The branch needs to be connected to the tree to live. That tree, or the vine, provides everything the branch needs to live. Create a cut that separates the branch from the vine, and the branch will quickly die. It cannot live without the vine. The vine is the source of all the nutrients and energy the branch needs to survive and produce fruit. Even a small cut between the branch and the vine will weaken the branch and open the door for disease to creep in.

    The branch is entirely dependent on the vine. It has to abide. It has to maintain its connection.

    The branch has to understand that it is 100% dependent on its connection to the vine.

    That, my friends, is where I fall short every day. Yes, I believe that Jesus is the vine and that He is the source of everything I need in this life. Yes, my ability to produce fruit is dependent on staying connected with Him.

    At the same time, I battle with pride and my desire to control my output. When I need something, I am more apt to lean into my “make it happen” mindset. I am tempted every day to control my output and provide for myself rather than trusting in the vine to provide all that I need. The lie is always there. “You’ve got this. You don’t need the vine.”

    It’s easy to forget to abide.

    Since that Bible study, here are three questions I’ve been asking myself:

    1. Do I believe that the vine has everything I need?
    2. Can I produce fruit if I am disconnected from the vine?
    3. If the vine has everything I need and I cannot produce fruit apart from it, what am I doing to protect my connection to the vine?

    I would challenge each of you to ask yourself these same questions.

    Think about that branch and the tree again. The branch never forgets that it is connected to the tree. It never looks for ways to separate itself from the tree. The branch knows its growth and life are tied to the tree and does everything it can to maintain that connection.

    Brothers, we are branches, not vines. Remember that, and then do everything you can to stay connected to the vine. Do everything you can to abide.

    Jesus has all you need. “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”

    CBMC Webmaster

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  • Taking On The Struggle to Eliminate “Busy” In Our Lives

    Taking On The Struggle to Eliminate “Busy” In Our Lives

    “Busy.”

    Ask most of the guys you know how their week is going, and that’s the answer you’ll get.

    It’s an all too common response that many of us wear like a badge of honor. So many things that need to get done, to-do lists that stretch on forever, and the feeling of getting pulled in multiple directions at once. Men are trying to show up well at work, be good husbands and fathers, stay checked in on their older parents and extended family, serve in their churches and communities, and grow their relationship with the Lord.

    All good things… but you can’t do everything.

    Therein lies the problem for most men, myself included.

    In his book Intimacy with the Almighty, Charles Swindoll captures it like this. “Most of us say yes to too many things. Most of us do not plan well enough ahead or think through our schedules to leave time for leisure and rest. Most of us have too many things on our plate to get done in the allotted time.”

    Sound familiar?

    As I explored this chapter on simplicity, Swindoll must have been hanging out in my office and my home before he wrote this. Those words capture how I’ve lived much of my life. Simplicity has never been my natural state. I’ve kept myself busy, always convinced I was doing “good things.”

    Swindoll goes on, asking the following questions:

    1. Are the good things keeping you from the great?
    2. Are too many things draining your energy, leaving you exhausted?
    3. Are the activities outside your home stealing time from those within your home?

    “Yes, yes, and yes.” Each question reminds us that “busy” comes at a cost.

    The greatest cost for me personally has been my relationship with God. When things get busy, my morning quiet time with the Lord is the first thing to go. I find myself lacking time to pray and get quiet to listen to what God has for me. In essence, I am shutting God out.

    Busy becomes an idol. My need to be busy reflects my struggle to control my outcomes and “make things happen.” Simplicity, on the other hand, makes room for God to come in. It’s me releasing my control and letting God partner with me.

    When I do this, my answers to Swindoll’s questions change…

    1. I am experiencing God’s best, what is truly great, not just good.
    2. I am living my life on purpose, energized by the right things.
    3. I am focusing my energy on those within my home first.

    More importantly, I am taking back my time and energy to spend it with God. Making quiet time and prayer a priority, my relationship with God begins growing again. When I listen, I can hear Him speaking to me. Wisdom flows, and I experience more clarity around what is truly important instead of the “busy” things that so easily distract me.

    Intimacy with the Almighty begins with creating space for simplicity in your life. That’s my call to each of us today. Spend some time looking around and doing a personal assessment. Where is “busy” stealing from you, and how can you start to take some of that time and energy back?

    John Gamades, Author of WAR: A Tactical Guide for Christian Men

    CBMC Webmaster

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  • Do Not Be Anxious About Anything

    Do Not Be Anxious About Anything

    As men try to be better husbands, strong dads, leaders where we work, and contributors in our communities, there are so many open doors for anxiety to creep in. From career pressures and financial stresses to relationship struggles and trying to be “enough” in all our roles, feeling anxious, stressed out, and overwhelmed is more common than any of us talk about – which is likely why God gave us the verses below. He knew what we’d encounter in this life. The world offers us many ways to release our stress. Here is God’s alternative…

    “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

    –       Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

    Going through a challenge recently, I spent some time peeling these verses back section by section…

    “Do not be anxious about anything,”

    The verse starts with a call to release our fears and concerns, the things that weigh heavy on our hearts, to God. This includes the things we’re afraid of, our concerns, restlessness, and the things that keep us up at night or wake us up early in the morning. If you’re anything like me, a recovering control freak to my core, letting the anxieties go is a challenge. If I’m not anxious about these things in my life, who will be and how will they ever change? We’ve been tricked into believing that staying anxious will somehow “fix” the things we’re anxious over. It does the opposite, and is one of the lies the devil uses to keep us distracted.

    “but in every situation,”

    This next section is interesting. We’re not called to release our anxiety in some areas but hold onto it in others. Instead, the word “every” implies that letting go of our anxiety totally and completely is commanded in all areas of our lives. These “situations” come in many forms, from things going on professionally to raising our kids and leading our families… In each form, without exceptions, we are called by a Father who loves us to let go.

    “by prayer and petition,”

    How do we let go? Through prayer and petition. God doesn’t leave us hanging here, not knowing what to do next. He tells us clearly to pray. Often, this is the last place we go, our last resort instead of the first. Instead of lifting our challenges up to Him, we lift them up to ourselves and stand in one place, holding them or trying to fix them on our own. Come to the Father and let him know where you’re at. Communicate your fears and anxiety to Him, and share with him what’s on your heart. He already knows but is waiting patiently for you to include him in your life.

    “with thanksgiving,”

    Over my life, I have come to realize that gratitude is an essential element of a fulfilled life and a powerful part of my Christian walk. When I stop long enough to think about all the things God has already done for me, especially amid a challenge or something I am anxious about, I am reminded of all the times and ways God has already come through for me.

    “present your requests to God.”

    We are prompted here to ask God for what we need, especially in times of distress or challenges. He tells us to pray and ask for the things we need for ourselves and the people around us. We sometimes find ourselves worried that God is too busy to hear what we need or that He’s going to reject our asking because we haven’t invested much time connecting with Him. At the same time, we can feel like our need is too insignificant and that God only has the time and energy to address the big stuff. None of those concerns are true. We have a Father who wants to hear from us, is not bound to limited time and energy, and wants us to ask for His help.

    “And the peace of God,”

    This is where the tables begin to turn. When we pray, present our requests to God, and meet Him with thanksgiving, we are promised that we will experience the peace of God. What kind of peace is this? Keep reading…

    “which transcends all understanding,”

    It’s a peace so great that you won’t be able to express it or understand it. It exceeds anything you could compare it to. It’s an over-the-top peace that the rest of the world lacks and that we often miss out on because we’re so focused on fixing things on our own. But, when we give up the things that make us anxious and hand them over to God, the freedom and calm we experience will allow us to walk through any fire without fear or restlessness.

    “will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

    That peace that transcends understanding is a powerful force – a guardian for our hearts and minds. The Word tells us that the devils prowl about, looking to steal, kill, and destroy. Knowing we are protected, we can stand in confidence. When pressure and anxiety rise, God comes to put them down, protecting both heart and mind.

    …

    “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

    It’s my hope that these verses are a source of peace and strength for you, the same as they’ve been for me. This life comes with challenges, and there are opportunities every day to elevate our anxiety, putting it on a pedestal. Instead, when those opportunities show up, lean into this word for your life and put God on the pedestal.

    John Gamades, Author of WAR: A Tactical Guide for Christian Men

    CBMC Webmaster

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  • In Your Challenges, Remember.

    In Your Challenges, Remember.

    There are moments in our lives when trouble comes. From relationship challenges to prodigal children to job loss and the challenges of being a leader… the Bible is clear. Our Christian faith does not guarantee us easy lives or protection from suffering.

    A friend of mine summed it up this way for me years ago. “You’re either in a storm, you’re coming out of one, or there’s a storm coming.” He may have come up with that or aquired it from someone else. Either way, it’s a truth we all live with. There will always be storms.

    Reading through the beginning of Psalm 77, we quickly pick up on the fact that the writer is in a storm…

    “I cried out to God for help;
    I cried out to God to hear me.
    When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
    at night I stretched out untiring hands,
    and I would not be comforted.”

    -Psalm 77:10-12 NIV

    Been there. I have felt that way, and likely, so have you. We’ve all had moments where the pressure gets heavy – where we finally break down and cry out for help. Personally or professionally, possibly even both, we find ourselves in the valley. The only place to look is up, so we seek God’s hand.

    Sometimes, the response we receive from God is fast and clear. Help comes quickly, and the Lord’s response is obvious. Other times, like the psalmist, we wonder if God hears us. We wonder if we’re being ignored, if we’ve been forgotten, or if God is withholding his love from us.

    “Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
    Has his promise failed for all time?
    Has God forgotten to be merciful?
    Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

    -Psalm 77:8-9 NIV

    In these moments, when the wondering creeps in and our confidence is shaken, the psalmist provides us with a strategy for resting in Him even when we don’t see him. As a leader and a business owner, I’m a guy who loves strategies. Give me a strategy and a plan to follow, and I’m in. This one doesn’t disappoint…

    One word: Remember.

    “Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal:
    the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
    I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
    I will consider all your works
    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.’”

    -Psalm 77:10-12 NIV

    Remember. When the challenges are getting heavy and God’s responses feel light, think back to those times when He showed up for you. Remember the miracles and blessings that He’s already done. Consider how He has worked in your life.

    That’s a strategy we can lean into.

    They say hindsight is 20/20. Remembering is our opportunity to tap into hindsight, looking back on God’s hand in our lives and all the times He’s carried us through the struggles. It’s spending some time acknowledging all the challenges we’ve faced and how He has consistently shown up – never late, always on time.

    When the psalmist calls us to remember, consider, and meditate on His works, it reminds us to control where our thoughts take us. Instead of letting our minds lead us down negative paths, it’s a call to refocus on the positive and to set our mind on things above, specifically on a God who loves us and will never forsake us.

    The storms will come, and they will go. Consistent in the middle of the storms is the love of a Father who stretches out His hand over our situations and does mighty deeds.

    Remember that today, and take the time to remember how He’s proven that in your past.

    …

    John Gamades, Author of WAR: A Tactical Guide for Christian Men

    CBMC Webmaster

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