Tag Archives: responsibility

Posted on

Work Week Devotion 01.21.2018

2 Corinthians 8:21

2 Corinthians 8:21 (NIV): For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.

When it comes down to it, the most important opinion is God’s. He is the one who truly knows your heart. In the end, it’s all between you and Him. But what about in the meantime? Does it matter what others think?

We are never to change our behavior to conform to the world, but our behavior should show the world who we are and what we value. That’s transparency. You should not only conduct your business in an honest way, you should be able to demonstrate to someone that you have honest business practices. At any given time, you should be able to open your business ledger, grade book, insurance reports or whatever it is you deal with and say “Be my guest. Inspect my practices.”

It’s tempting for the world to misinterpret our actions or question our motives. We can’t control what everyone says or thinks about us, but we can live and conduct our business in the light so that others cannot assume that there are shady things being done in the dark.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for understanding our heart even when others don’t. Help us to be transparent in our business practices so others aren’t tempted to question our integrity. Please forgive us when we are tempted to hide details in the dark. Amen.

Posted on

Happy New Year 2018

Looking back, planning ahead, maintaining contentment

As we move into the new year of 2018 let us remember to:

Look Back with Thanksgiving

James 1:17 (ESV): Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

We can look back at 2017 with thanksgiving for the good times and blessings we have enjoyed. We can and should also be thankful for provision during the hard times. Even if it was a difficult year for you, there is always, ALWAYS something to be thankful for. You had friendships, you were able to provide for your family and maybe even have some unanswered prayers to be thankful for. Make a list of things you were thankful for last year. Revisit it when needed.

Focus on the Future

Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV): “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

We should look back in thanksgiving but not spend precious time on regret or guilt. No matter your past or the mistakes you made last year (we all made mistakes!) God is doing a NEW thing! He can make a way even when it seems impossible. The even better news? You don’t just get January 1st for a new start! His mercies and provision are new every morning, even every hour when needed. Isn’t that awesome news?

Plan Ahead for the Coming Year

Luke 14:28-29 (ESV): For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,

Call it resolutions, goals, aspirations, visioning; God doesn’t expect us to go through life willy-nilly with no intentionality. Make some plans. Boldly go through the doors that open and wisely turn away from the doors that are closed. It’s difficult to steer a vehicle that’s not moving.

Psalm 20:4 (NIV): May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Prayerfully make those plans. God want us to succeed in endeavors that honor Him; both for His glory and for our pleasure. He is looking to give good gifts to His children. (Matt 7:11) Partner with Him in that!

Be Content in All Circumstances

Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV): I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Above all, be content with last year and whatever this new year will bring. When focusing too much on self or if you find yourself concentrating on your disappointments, find someone who needs help and serve them. When blessed and in a time of plenty, make sure you allow your cup to spill over to others. Build a bigger table, not a higher fence.

Great and Gracious Father, Thank You for the many blessings of 2017. Thank You, maybe even more so, for sustaining us during the difficult times of last year. We ask that You would guide us in our endeavors in 2018. Close the doors You would not have us go through and give us the courage to walk through the doors You have opened before us. Gently remind us to plan and wait for You when we are tempted to forge ahead and make our own way. Above all, please help us to serve others and think of their needs above ourselves. Help us to be content no matter what this year brings and please forgive us when we are selfish, forgetful, anxious or fearful. Amen.

Posted on

Work Week Devotion 08.13.2017

James 3:1

James 3:1 (NLT): Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.

When someone with military training commits a violent crime, they are often judged more harshly by the courts in light of the training they have received and the responsibility they have accepted. The Bible makes it clear that teachers in the church will be judged more strictly. It is imperative that we remember there are many reasons we could and should be held to a higher standard.
Are you a teacher, doctor or other respected member of the community? It matters what others see you doing socially.
Are you a leader at your workplace? How you react to situations and conduct yourself personally matters.
Do you identify yourself as a Christian? Everything you say OR POST will be put under a microscope, so act accordingly!
You will be judged more strictly. Is it fair? No. Is it right? Absolutely.

Patient Father, Thank You for giving us the opportunity to make a difference in the world. Help us to remember that everything we say and do matters. Please forgive us when we misrepresent Jesus with our words and actions. Amen.

Posted on

Work Week Devotion 03.19.2017

2 Corinthians 9:8

Second Corinthians 9:8 (NIV): and God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Do you ever get frustrated that you don’t have everything you want? Does someone have a nicer office or building than you? Newer furniture in their home? Newer electronics? It’s so easy to fall into the trap of comparing your blessings to others. It’s easy to confuse what we NEED with what we want and think we deserve.

My guess is that most of us (I understand not necessarily all) have never truly gone hungry or been without a roof of some sort over our head. When we look at the big picture, most of us can say we are “abundantly blessed.” Why are we given what we need – all things at all times? Not so we can boast or feel successful or show off our stuff; it’s so we will abound in every good work. God equips us with what we need, when we need it, so we can do His good work. Appreciate what you have and never forget from Whom it comes and why it is given.

Generous Father, Thank you for supplying our every need. Help us to use our resources to do Your good work. Please forgive us when we are greedy and selfish. Amen.

Posted on

Work Week Devotion 11.06.2016

Election Week Edition

Daniel 2:20-21 (NLT): …Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power.
He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.

You should always vote when you have the opportunity. It is a great privilege and responsibility. We should pray before we vote, pray for who we vote for and, perhaps most importantly, pray for whomever is elected. After every election there are some very disappointed people. Social media makes it easier than ever to share that disappointment in some very toxic ways. This week I would like to remind you of some of the things that should NOT change, no matter who is elected to what position.

– How you treat your family. You are not a three year old child. Your personal feelings should never dictate how you treat your children, your spouse and others in your household. No elected leader has the power to change that. Don’t act as if they do.
– How you treat your clients/customers/patients/students. Policy changes can make many things more difficult. Being kind and giving good service costs zero dollars. Smile. Be patient and helpful. Make their day better in whatever way you can.
– Your work ethic. Sometimes life is unfair. That’s too bad. Do the best you can, to do that best job you can, no matter what. It honors your good name and more importantly it honors God.
– How you treat those with whom you work. If you are in a workplace of any size, there will be someone who doesn’t share your beliefs or opinions. You can remain steadfast in those beliefs and not compromise without being a jerk. Even if the other person is being a jerk. Take the high road even if you get a nosebleed. It’s a lot easier for God to use you when you don’t have your foot in your mouth.
– How you represent yourself on social media. Anything you post should have the aroma of Jesus, not the stench of the world. Hatred, sarcasm, bitterness and selfishness all stink. It doesn’t matter if what you are posting is based on truth; if it is mean-spirited or unnecessarily negative you are not advancing the Kingdom.

All Knowing Father, Thank you for giving us the freedoms and blessings that we have. Forgive us when we misuse them and misrepresent You. We pray for you to raise up Godly leaders for our communities and our nations. We humbly ask that you show us how to be more like Jesus in all areas of our lives, no matter the circumstances. Amen.

Posted on

Leaving a Legacy

Memorial day has come and gone. Graduation ceremonies abound. It’s a perfect time to think of the potential that is within all of us and the legacy we will leave behind. Do you ever think about the legacy you will leave? Psalm 112:1-3 says:

1 Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord
    and delight in obeying his commands.
2 Their children will be successful everywhere;
    an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
3 They themselves will be wealthy,
    and their good deeds will last forever.

Their children will be successful EVERYWHERE. An ENTIRE generation will be blessed. Their good deeds will last FOREVER. Now that is a legacy! Our good decisions can bless an entire generation and our good deeds can last forever. Conversely, our poor decisions can become our legacy and influence generations to come. The decisions you make in business and in life have eternal consequences. What a privilege and responsibility!

Even if we don’t have children of our own or a protege training directly under us, we all have successors. Any child near you is watching everything you do (much more than they are listening to what you say.) You have teams at work and church. Maybe you lead a class or hold a political office. I have nieces and patients and young church friends and members of my community who are watching the decisions I make and how I handle myself.

Who is YOUR “next generation?”

What legacy do you want to leave? What are you doing to cultivate your legacy?

 

Posted on

It IS What They Hear!

“I am responsible for what I say…not what you hear!” I’ve seen several friends share something similar to this on Facebook over the past couple of years. It sounds perfectly logical…if you live in a vacuum and don’t care about relationships or communication.

It’s true that you can’t MAKE someone understand you. You can’t GUARANTEE that your words will be understood and your feelings will be conveyed. However, it’s your responsibility as a leader, mentor, parent, student, teacher, doctor, etc to communicate with your audience in mind. You can throw up your hands, turn your head and say “Oh well! I told them. Not my fault if they didn’t get it!” or you can take a little time and effort to do your best to communicate your thoughts, feelings and intentions. In my life I do this on a daily basis by:

  • Not using jargon. Words, phrases and abbreviations might be very commonplace to you but sound like a foreign language to others. Your audience might not ask you for clarification because they don’t want to look “stupid.” Don’t put them in that position. Often our jargon becomes second-nature. Ask someone to bring it to your attention if you have trouble catching yourself.
  • Mirroring my audiences communication style. On a daily basis I might talk to a surgeon, elementary teacher, factory worker, teenager and an elderly patient with dementia. I don’t change who I am depending on who I’m talking to, but I certainly change my communication style to make sure I am understood. Always remember to whom you’re speaking.
  • Restating key points in a different way. Don’t be needlessly repetitive, but make sure to state the same key point using different words at a different time during the conversation. It might be that second phrase that really sticks.
  • Reading (to the best of my ability) my audience’s expression and body language. Granted, some people don’t HAVE expressions or appropriate body language, but you can often tell if someone is confused, uncomfortable or bored. This is important information. Use it!

If you take an “it’s not my problem” approach to communication you’ll never grow as a leader or a person. What techniques do you employ to assure you are understood?

Posted on

They’re Watching!

“Hi Dr. Bass! I thought that was you!” said a patient as she stopped by our table at Applebee’s. I was eating lunch with my husband before we went grocery shopping after church one Sunday. I had been fighting a sinus infection, had only felt like eating half of my lunch and the last thing I wanted to do was carry on a conversation with someone but, of course, I smiled and asked her how she was and said that it was nice to see her and I hoped she had a great afternoon. Afterwards, at the grocery store, I think I saw another three patients or so.

Living, working and going to church in the same town means we see a lot of people we know. That’s ok. In fact, most of the time I like it. I dreamed of being a doctor most of my childhood and being recognized as the friendly neighborhood optometrist always went right along with that. (My sister will tell you I’ve always wanted to be famous!) I once sat with a group of young doctors at a luncheon while they discussed how terrible it would be to live in the same town where they worked. One actually said “I can’t imagine having to see my patients at the grocery store! The last thing I want to do is talk to them after hours!” While I understand and agree that we all need a time to turn off, if you are a doctor, teacher, business owner or church leader that is just not going to be an option for you a lot of the time. Is it fair? No. Is it what you signed up for? Yes.

For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.  Luke 12:48b

To be respected as the professional you are, you have to act respectable no matter where you are.

I can’t tell you what is appropriate for you or what you can or cannot do. (Trust me, I would often like to, but it’s really not my place.) While we are far from perfect, my husband (who is on stage a lot at our church) and I really try to be careful about what we say and do in public and what we post on social media. We do not want to represent ourselves, my practice or our church poorly. Is it fair that we should have to worry about how others interpret our actions? No. Is it what we signed up for? Yes.

You have the right to do whatever you want to do. Unfortunately you do not have the power to keep your actions from reflecting on you and your organization. If you want to be a success and have a positive influence on your community you have to be conscious of this fact.  Everything speaks and those around you are listening. Make sure you are telling the story you want them to hear.