In my work around the world, I have noticed that the people I love and serve that are not flourishing spiritually are also not flourishing physically. They often suffer from poor air quality, water stress (both quantity and quality) and the impact of degraded soils. I cannot stand idly by watching them suffer. So my colleagues and I have introduced two initiatives, one of them being the Environmental Technology Initiative (ETI). ETI...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 306 – The Work of Bees We had (Western Rite) Easter last week, and as the Easter Candle was lit at the Easter Vigil, we heard these words: “On this, your night of grace, O holy Father,accept this candle, a solemn offering,the work of bees and of your servants’ hands,an evening sacrifice of praise,this gift from your most holy Church.” The Exulset[MP1]  “The work of bees.” It is a...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 305 – Joy, Take 2 There are some lessons I need to learn more than once, so I would like to return to Joy.  I once wrote that joy comes from knowing God is with you. I am now learning that joy grows when you begin to work with Him. Holy Week is the clearest example of this. Out of the deepest suffering comes the greatest joy. While nothing compares to the suffering of Jesus, your...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 304 – God of the small things View this in your browser I’ve always admired my colleagues who give careful attention to detail. So does God. “For who has despised the day of small things?” — Zechariah 4:10 In my work, I am often tasked with maintaining the vision and building the superstructure of an organisation. But all my grand visions would be mere vapour without the specific,...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 303 – A great cloud of witnesses A recurring theme in these devotions is this simple assurance: you are not alone.  Each week, these reflections are meant as a small reminder that I see you. Think of them as a love letter, a pat on the back, a note of encouragement for those of you faithfully running businesses and organisations. Last week we spoke about the presence of God in your...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 302 – The God-Botherer As the Holy Spirit would have it, I have been reading Martin Shaw and spoke with two of the three Jeffs who subscribe to this post over the past couple of weeks. They all reminded me how important it is to bother God, good and often. “I let myself off the hook most of my life, I am ashamed to say, but I have to keep a shorter account now, being a God-Botherer and all.” —...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 301 – The long obedience Many people think about finishing well near the end of a career (Business Devotion 26). But finishing well is often determined much earlier than we imagine. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7 Finishing well grows out of the small decisions made day after day, long before anyone is thinking about legacy....

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 300 – Keeping your heart soft This devotion is an elegy for John Vrolijk — a reader of these reflections and a friend. Recently, John stepped from this life into the nearer presence of Christ. There are many things to say about John and his walk with the Lord. But this is a business devotion, so let us consider what John’s life teaches us about leadership. He was a tough businessman who kept...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 299 – Sailing the boat Last week, we spoke about building your boat. Today, we sail it. In business, ministry, and life, we often wish for calm seas, clear skies, and predictable currents. Yet most of us quickly discover that leadership feels less like driving on a highway and more like sailing a boat. Three things will keep us on course.   Reverence as the...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 298 – Build your Boat God has stirred your heart. He is asking you to build your ark, your boat. The vision He has entrusted to you will not leave you alone. Rightly so. A God-given calling often persists quietly until it is acted upon. “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.” – Hebrews 11:7 As you give substance to your vision,...

Devotions for a Busy Business Person, no. 297 – An affluence of time In business, we are accustomed to measuring affluence financially. Revenue, margins, liquidity, runway. Yet there is another form of wealth that is predictive of human flourishing, and far more elusive. It is time affluence.  Behavioural scientist Cassie Mogilner Holmes uses the term ‘time affluence’ to describe the subjective sense of...