day 553: And It Shows...Part 2

"So what do we have to show for it?", the CEO asks as she pours through the end of the year financial statements. It's not an unusual question or occurrence this time of year. When all the money that has been spent is added up and the results are being assessed we look for what we have to show for all that we have done. If we see results that can be measured or we can see the beginning of the sprouts that come from the seeds planted, then we feel good. If we see nothing, then we feel really bad and we wonder where we went wrong that caused us to waste the money, time and resources of our people. As we all know, business is not linear. If it was, then everyone would be able to do it and we wouldn't have questions about what works and what doesn't. But, it is not linear. It is many times convoluted and circuitous in getting to success. But the question remains in what we have to show for our efforts? The same can be said of us as individuals. At work we take on projects, spend time and spend money and we also have to show that we have provided more gain than loss. Somewhere, someone is figuring out productivity and considering the cost of us versus the output of what we provide. Yes, we have to have something to show for our efforts. Now, let's take it deeper and think about how we show up in our deeds and what we have to show for those? James 2:18 says, "I can't see your faith if you don't have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds." There are many who believe that their good deeds alone will suffice and that faith is not necessary. But, we know that the foundation and the catalyst for those good deeds need to come from faith and the belief that we are representing Christ in those good deeds. It is when we "show" that we get the chance to share our faith with others and let them know where the desire to provide those good deeds comes. In this Christmas season we have many opportunities to do good deeds. Let us not miss the opportunity to let our faith also show through those deeds so that we can tell true story of Christmas to others.

Reference: James 2:18 (New Living Testament)

day 552: And It Shows....Part 1

I've always been fond of the old adage, "you can't tell what kind of person a child will be from their parents, but you can tell what kind of parents they are from the person the child turns out to be". It's the rare case, and usually a touching story about someone else who took a child under their wing, that a good kid didn't have good parents. I am always amazed at the parenting that I know must have happened when I see a kid who is beyond their years in respect, discipline and positive attitude. That stuff just doesn't just happen. It gets ingrained. The same can be said of teams in business. Teams don't just become highly aligned and productive on their own. They get that way because there is a boss who is behind the scenes setting the right goal and pace and providing strong support systems. The boss is a coach, mentor and barrier remover. The alignment of the team comes from a stitching together of people and recognizing complementary skills and needs and finding how to have people play off of each others' strengths and weaknesses. When a team or person is well coached, cared for and mentored, it shows. The same can be said about us in how closely we are allowing our work and lives to be led by our faith. James said in James 2:18, "Now someone may argue, 'Some people have faith; others have good deeds.' I say, 'I can't see your faith if you don't have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds." James is saying that what we do shows who we are and why we do it shows through what we do. Today, are you showing what you want to show by your deeds and actions? Would others know that those actions come from a place of faith and love of our Lord? We are God's Children and for us to portray His image in the way He wants, we must be sure that our deeds and faith are consistent, every day. We must show up in the way of the Lord!

Reference: James 2:18 (New Living Testament)