Character in Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:7-14 and 2 Timothy 1:7
(7-minute read)
A few years ago, I was trapped. Boxed in. Chained to a job that was full of expectation but had no purpose. At least that’s the way I felt.
In the early days, my job was to develop teams and lead them grow news readers and revenue for a new and growing daily newspaper in all metropolitan cities across Canada. Occasionally, the job took me to Europe and the U.S. for special work-related meetings. The travel was fun, and the perks were amazing as I was often hosting clients at professional sports events, concerts, conferences, and the like. Black car transportation was available to take me to amazing hotels and to dinners at some of the most well-known restaurants. The lifestyle was intoxicating. However, over time, the shine started to wear off and I wasn’t happy. My days became mundane, and I realized that while I was fulfilling a purpose for the organization something was missing. My identity was wrapped up in what I DID rather than who I WAS. My occupation was defining me rather than me defining it. In a sense, I had lost myself in the process of growing a business. I was lacking a personal purpose.
Q: Looking at your past, what are some of the things you have allowed to define you?
Now, as I work with senior level executives, and using my past experience as a filter, I can often spot when others are on a similar path. They talk about wanting to find “something more” in their daily lives. They have worked hard and have achieved great personal success and status but a greater reason for getting up every day eludes them. Simply put, they haven’t yet discovered a purpose that is bigger than the title on their business card.
Everyone has an “essence” that is unique to them. Some people like to call this a “brand”. I think it goes deeper than that. In fact, I like to call it our “spirit”. The SPIRIT of who we are starts with our values and inner drive and is revealed by the presence that we display to those around us as we lead them. Our spirit develops by the choices we make and how we uniquely contribute our gifts to those around us.
Q: Can you specifically state what your unique purpose is? Is it bigger than the role you play at work or your business endeavours?
In 1 Corinthians 12:7-14 Paul teaches that everyone has a special gift that is meant to help each other. He then goes on to list some of these gifts, wisdom, discernment, and others. I don’t think this list is exhaustive. In fact, reading a couple of verses prior to this scripture, Paul qualifies this thought by saying “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.” (NLT). Take a few moments and read this passage now.
What we can be certain of is that our gifts and unique talents are given to us from God himself and we are to use them to glorify him and serve others. How you do this is going to be different than me. Your gifts and talents are indeed unique to you and provide the foundation to develop your “spirit” (essence) that others will experience as you engage with them.
When you discover your God-given purpose, your days have new meaning. You lead with more clarity. You become more authentic and effective in your personal and professional lives. You move forward with boldness and courage because "God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT). I know this to be true because I have experienced it personally.
Q: What can you do to develop the unique spirit that God has placed in you? How can you help others also develop and live their purpose?
From Corpath.ca
How does the Bible speak to the marketplace today? Is there a Christian way to do business that is honouring to God? Is participating in business a calling? At Corpath, we believe the answers to these, and other spiritual questions raised by Christian businesspeople are best discovered in a small community of business peers who meet in a trusting, confidential environment on a regular basis. The Corpath Forums practice a non-denominational, non-judgemental approach to exploring these spiritual questions and keeping the 'spiritual gauge’ in positive territory. The focus is on personal spiritual growth and learning what the Bible says about business
Prayer:
My God and Father, thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I confess that I have, at times, looked for shortcuts in my faith journey. Whether walking beside still waters (good times) or in the valley of shadows (challenging times) please remind me that you are always there to guide me and encourage me to “stay the course” and not deviate in any way. There are no hacks to following you and building a life of good character. I ask that you guide me this week. Amen.
Blessings always and all-ways,
Steve Shrout
President
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your own Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development and SPIRITUAL growth.
