1 Thessalonians 2v1
1 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.
Results-oriented or bottom-line thinking is normal for us. We meet, strategize, plan, implement and measure – all with return on investment (on our time, energy or money) in mind. We are measured, and we measure others, by outputs, results, KPIs and other performance indicators. Our boss demands it and shareholders expect it – oftentimes, or else.
What is interesting about ‘results’ in the spiritual sense, in the Christian service context, is that we are simply called to be faithful, to listen and obey, to sow, to give, to love – to partner with God by making ourselves available to Him to achieve His purposes. And then get out of the way and let Him do His thing. “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (1Corth. 3:67). The results are His responsibility (thankfully). The Holy Spirit produces the fruit.
But in one sense Paul knew that God was ‘in’ what they were doing as partners with Him in Thessalonica, because they could see the ‘results’ of God’s hand. Clear evidence and confirmation is great when it happens – when we get a chance to see it. The challenge really comes however, when we have been faithful in doing what we think is right, for God, and see no ‘results’ and need to trust that He is still working things out according to His purposes.
PRAYER ACTION
Lord, help me today to put aside my obsession with only the results and outputs. Show me how to be better about focusing on process improvement, on ‘how’ the work gets done, and ‘who’ I can delegate to and support while they do it. Help me humanize the way I set goals and expectations. Help me look for improvement in the way my people or colleagues work, celebrate the direction they are improving toward - even if the results are not perfect. Help me to trust you even when I can’t see the nail-prints in your hands.
“If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.”
(Woody Allen)
“If you want to hear him laugh even louder, tell him how much you know.”
(Ken Boa)
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