Bible Students

This week covered chapters eight, nine, and ten of A Work of Heart. The eighth chapter is about “Communion.” Leaders can not neglect communion, they must have people who can bear their burdens. Leaders should practice Sabbath rest and rhythm. There should be a clear distinction between work and rest, so that a leader is able to serve God’s people and also allow themself to practice the presence of God for themself. There is always more to learn in one’s relationship with God. A leader should want to spend alone time with God for no other reason than their own spiritual needs. Learning to listen to God is a serious skill. Not only will the leader suffer if they have a bad relationship with God, but those they lead will too. God wants leaders to get to know Him better always. 

The ninth chapter is about “Conflict.” Conflict often blindsides leaders. Conflict will come to leaders, no matter what, so leaders can not be conflict allergic. There should be strategies in leadership. Some challenges can be overcome without too much issue. Some conflicts must not be engaged, especially when the conflicts are baseless. Other conflicts must not be given more energy than they are worth. Other times conflict is a result of the leader’s own behaviors. Leaders should get good advice from wise people. Getting through a conflict does not mean the two parties agree, but it does mean both parties must have told the truth in love. Forgiveness is the best medicine for conflict, and leaders should choose to grow rather than sulk in negative feelings. 

The tenth chapter is about “Commonplace.” Commonplace is the everyday life of the leader. Leaders must have normal friends and should work on their everyday practices. Leaders must not neglect the basic things that make them functioning humans. Through pain, God shouts to leaders. Healthy leaders can see the big picture. Leaders must continue to learn. Leaders must follow God’s direction. Spiritual leadership is a work of heart, and those decisions can affect generations. Leaders must be faithful to follow God. 

Chapter 8 

Do you spend time with God?

I do spend time with God. I am able to do nightly devotionals and prayer, and I have found that time to be very special. 

What kind of time do you spend with God? 

I would say my time with God lately has been much less in solitude and much more through my work. I want to be able to offer up the work I do in the kitchen to the Lord as an offering. I am also able to do nightly devotionals and prayer. 

What do you and God talk about?

I usually find myself asking God for fruit, wisdom, and the strength to serve Him well. 

What images of God guide and inform your communion?

I often think of God as far off, though He personally sees me. I believe this has been formed by never really having a “feeling” of God, except for special occasions (such as a week or so last year when I dwelt on Christ as my eternal Husband). I may not feel Him, but I know He sees and knows me. 

What are you learning about God because of your own time with Him?

As I read through a handful of the historical books of the Old Testament over the summer, I learned a lot about the God of many peoples. God is a God who desires to know all people, not only a few, and it was that way from the beginning. He wants all people to come to Him. 

How do others and what do others know about your time with God?

My boss knows that I want to work for the Lord. My girlfriend knows that I do devotionals because we talk about mine and hers every night, except for rare occasions. She and I pray together over the phone before bed, so she is aware of that as well. 

How does your communion with God challenge and change your assumptions, biases, and prejudices? How do you encourage others in their own communion with God?

As mentioned earlier, God is a God of all people. He desires to know all people, including people of different cultures, ethnic backgrounds, and even sexual backgrounds. In the kitchen we try to make it a habit of praying before each shift, including asking for prayer requests.

How do you and those in your ministry constellation practice communion with God? 

Ironically, living on a Bible College campus it is easy to ignore personal devotional time with the Lord. However, one area I would like to make a place of communion with God is the workplace on campus. We play Christian music, pray, and attempt to work for the Lord, even though often we are frustrated. 

Chapter 9 

Are you conflict-allergic, or do you love a good fight, or is the truth about you somewhere in between? 

I believe I am conflict-allergic, though I do find many reasons for conflict. I have tried to be more confrontational in the past, but that has not gone very well. 

What has shaped your view of conflict?

Growing up has shaped a lot of my view of conflict. My house is very confrontational from the top down, and I do not believe there was much room to naturally build an ability to handle conflict or confrontation well. 

What early experiences in conflict do you remember?

I do not remember many from my childhood, but I am still young so I will use one from the kitchen. A co-worker of mine was often late. I told him in front of two other co-workers that it was rude to show up late all the time. He was frustrated, I was frustrated, and the shift was miserable. 

How do you respond to those who challenge your leadership?

Not as well as I should. I do not get especially frustrated, but I do not have a good way of communicating when pressed about something. We have new employees in the kitchen and often they will “challenge” some aspect of our task plans, and usually they are offering a good change. When someone offers a bad correction, however, it is very awkward for me to retell them that they should still do what I asked. 

What have you learned about yourself through conflict? 

I have a hard time communicating when I am pushed. I shut down. 

In what ways are you contributing to the amount or nature of the conflict you experience?

I do not hide emotions very well, so when I am often sad at work it very clearly shows through. This true for frustration as well. When I feel people are just buying time until they get off, I become frustrated. In that way, I contribute to a lot of the conflict. 

How have you taught your ministry constellation to deal with conflict?

One great way to deal with the conflict of frustration in the kitchen is to have a rhythm of prayer. Praying together softens our hearts and reminds us that we are all working for the Lord. 

What have you learned about God in times when your leadership has been threatened?

I co-led a Bible-study group with a friend as well as helping to lead a prayer group last fall. Due to some certain circumstances, I was not longer allowed to do those things. Through that few month season I was able to learn that God does not value me based on what I do for Him (this was during the time I meditated on Christ as my eternal Husband). He values me based on His Son’s work. 

Chapter 10 

Do you look for God?

I do look for God, especially in serving people. 

Do you celebrate well?

I would like to say I celebrate well. I try to rest and celebrate well. 

How do your responses and actions differ when no one is looking?

They probably differ more than I realize, but I would like to say not much at all. Of course, there are some actions at work (for example) that would look bad if someone didn’t have a good understanding of the kitchen, so I wouldn’t do those things around them (such as touching food with gloved hands). 

Do you view circumstances as interruptions or learning opportunities?

Learning opportunities. There have been too many seasons of great hurt in recent years with too much growth from them to believe that even painful seasons are opportunities to learn more about God and how to have a sustainable relationship with Him. 

What joys keep you going?

Serving God and His people, the joy of doing everyday ministry, and the future hope of doing vocational ministry, missions, and marrying my girlfriend. All three of those last things have great every-day steps I can take, such as doing this homework assignment or calling my girlfriend in approximately an hour. 

How do you incorporate beauty into your life?

Thankfully, I live on top of a beautiful mountain with many trees and lakes. Natural beauty is not hard to come across. However, there is a special beauty in the kitchen. It is a place of many friendships and many many hours of service to God and His people. I find that beautiful. 

How do you help those in your leadership constellation develop heart habits to encourage God in their own common places?

As mentioned before, praying at work is a great way, I feel, to encourage the practice of the presence of God in the commonplace of work.