day 1355: Closed But Always Open For Business

"He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity."

Patti and I rushed on Saturday to get to an art gallery/framing store before its 5:30pm closing time.  We arrived at 5:24pm and they closed early.  We were bummed.  I looked at the "Closed" sign in the window and thought, "What an antiquated way to run a business".  We've all had the experience of cupping our hands to our eyes and staring into a plate glass window to see what is on the other side in a darkened store, knowing that we won't probably every be able to come back during their open hours.  We miss out and a retailer misses out.  But, that is about to change, or at least I think it will soon.  My friend Jason Johnson is working hard on his new digital door lock, August Smart Lock. I imagine that in the not too near future, we will be able to walk up to a physically closed retail store and because we carry a trusted digital ID on our iphone (kind of like TSA Pre for retailers), we will be able to digitally open the front door of the retail store.  As we do, the lights come on, a motion activated set of cameras begin recording, and a motion activated voice recording welcomes us into the store and gives us directions on how to scan and pay for what we buy using our digital wallets.  The voice probably asks us politely to turn off the lights before we leave, digitally locking the door behind us.  Are we possibly entering the age of "Always Open for Business"?  I think so!

In God's Kingdom, if we walk with honesty and integrity in our hearts, He provides us an "Always Open" way to Him.  He promises us protection as our shield when we live with integrity.  God's door to Him is always unlocked and all we have to do today to receive all that He has for us, is walk right through!  No locks, no gates, no fumbling for keys or passwords.  He's wide open and waiting!

Reference: Proverbs 2:7 (New Living Translation) 

day 278: Girl Scout Cookies

While I am on vacation, I have asked friends, and encouragers of Purposed worKING to contribute. Today's post comes from Jason Johnson, an entrepreneur, technology executive and Chairman of Tedx San Francisco

Typically we spend more of our waking hours with our coworkers than we do with our family or close friends. Then, suddenly, either a coworker leaves the company or we leave the company, and our interaction with our coworkers is reduced to an occasional phone call, email, or maybe a cup of coffee. The opportunity to spend frequent hours with our coworkers is lost, and so is the opportunity to 'give' of ourselves. In years past, a coworker might approach me and ask me to buy Girl Scout cookies or donate to a cause they are raising money for. At such times, I might find myself saying "sorry, I'm training for a triathlon, no cookies for me" or "sorry, I've already agreed to sponsor Kevin in accounting". Then a few years back, I heard a sermon on the radio from Jack Hayford in which he stated that when someone asks him for something - in his desire to follow the teachings of Jesus, Hayford seeks to give at every opportunity. When reflecting back to my former places of employment, I can't help but think of lost opportunities 'to give freely' to my coworkers and show them that I celebrate (and demonstrate) my recognition of the blessings bestowed upon me through the action of giving freely. Hopefully by way of the new social media tools, we may all have the opportunity to connect with some of our former coworkers, and be given the chance once more, to 'give freely' to those who need to know where all blessings come from.

Reference: Matthew 10:8 (New Living Testament) "Give as freely as you have received!"