WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.299 Thanks, everyone, for being here this morning. This is our fourth week of our class on integrating work in faith. 00:00:08.839 --> 00:00:09.339 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.340 That it's active and living and that it applies to our day-to-day lives. 00:00:34.659 --> 00:00:42.480 We thank you that you've designed us for work, Lord, that you call us into relationship with you, Lord, 00:00:42.539 --> 00:00:46.379 and that in that relationship you call us to participate in the cultivation of your kingdom. 00:00:47.460 --> 00:00:53.740 And we just pray that the realities of that would be impressed upon us this morning, Lord, 00:00:53.820 --> 00:00:59.019 that we would learn more about you and your will for our lives as we discuss these matters together. 00:00:59.020 --> 00:01:00.700 And it's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:01:04.020 --> 00:01:07.560 Alright, so I thought it would be helpful, again, just to review, 00:01:07.760 --> 00:01:12.219 because a lot of what we're discussing is building on the previous week's discussions. 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:20.480 So I'll go through the first few weeks' material, and then we can dive into our topic for today. 00:01:20.480 --> 00:01:30.560 So, in our first week, Kumlay covered an overview of the design of work and highlighted four main points. 00:01:30.800 --> 00:01:37.920 First, work is good. It's something that God did and does, and therefore, by definition, is a good thing. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:41.560 And second, we were created to work. 00:01:41.560 --> 00:01:49.620 God created us in his image, and since he works and it is good, he created us to mirror his work in creation. 00:01:50.659 --> 00:01:59.300 And we're so designed in this way that Tim Keller says that working is as essential to human flourishing as food and water. 00:01:59.299 --> 00:02:06.599 Third, God calls people to a variety of work, which we'll expand on a little bit more today. 00:02:06.759 --> 00:02:09.780 And lastly, work comes with God-given limits. 00:02:10.460 --> 00:02:18.819 Because we are not the owners of our work, we're called to join in God's work under his authority, 00:02:19.419 --> 00:02:22.039 and our work comes with limits in that way. 00:02:22.039 --> 00:02:27.900 So, in our second week, we expanded on a couple of these points by diving into the concept of work as a calling. 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:32.019 And there were a few key truths that we highlighted in that class as well. 00:02:32.879 --> 00:02:35.599 We said our calling is twofold. 00:02:36.219 --> 00:02:40.799 To bring out the wonder of God's design through cultivation of the created order, 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:46.159 and to be an instrument of God's providence serving the needs of our neighbors. 00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:57.819 So, we recall Dorothy Sayers' definition of work, that it's a gracious expression of creative energy offered in service to others. 00:02:59.519 --> 00:03:02.180 So, we also extended a point from week one. 00:03:02.280 --> 00:03:08.939 We said that because our salvation doesn't depend on our work, we can view all work as equally important, 00:03:09.180 --> 00:03:14.219 as we all participate together in the cultivation of God's kingdom. 00:03:14.219 --> 00:03:21.319 So, intellectual and physical work, secular and spiritual work, paid and unpaid work, 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:26.199 material and cultural work, like building bridges or building families, 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:37.060 these are all forms of labor in which God has called or commissioned certain people to participate for the sake of his kingdom. 00:03:37.800 --> 00:03:42.219 And all of these forms of work are equally valid and valuable in the eyes of God. 00:03:44.219 --> 00:03:50.280 Knowing these, we talked about discerning a calling in wisdom, 00:03:50.580 --> 00:04:00.599 and that it identifies, in doing that, we identify ways that God is calling us to use our God-given gifts to meet a God-ordained need. 00:04:00.699 --> 00:04:03.439 We talked about a term that Keller calls a ministry of competence. 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:11.659 And some of the best ways that we can step into the calling that God has for us is to identify things that he's equipped us well to do, 00:04:12.139 --> 00:04:15.280 to meet a need that he's identified to us. 00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:22.959 We also talked about discerning this in prayer. 00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:29.319 We didn't have time to focus on this quite as much, but in our discerning in wisdom, 00:04:29.319 --> 00:04:34.719 we also want to consider what we're doing in prayer and engagement with faithful brothers and sisters, 00:04:34.719 --> 00:04:41.740 because sometimes God calls us to do things that defy the wisdom of the world. 00:04:41.740 --> 00:04:46.920 So just because we're not good at something doesn't mean that God wouldn't call us to do it anyway. 00:04:47.240 --> 00:04:53.120 And being engaged in a community that can help us discern that in prayer is a good thing. 00:04:53.819 --> 00:04:56.120 So all of this was a discussion of the goodness of work. 00:04:56.180 --> 00:05:00.579 And then last week, Kunle introduced the brokenness of work. 00:05:00.740 --> 00:05:07.180 He discussed how sin and brokenness in creation can lead to frustration and despair in our work. 00:05:07.180 --> 00:05:09.720 And this happens for a couple of reasons. 00:05:11.240 --> 00:05:15.500 First, work can become fruitless, meaning that in all our work, 00:05:15.579 --> 00:05:19.360 we'll be able to envision far more than we can accomplish, 00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:24.180 both because of a lack of our ability and also because of the resistance 00:05:24.180 --> 00:05:26.860 that we might experience in the environment around us. 00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:34.160 And second, even when work is productive or fruitful, it can become meaningless 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:40.080 and it can leave us feeling empty even after we've achieved our aspirations. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:43.900 Kunle also shared some helpful tactics to reorient ourselves 00:05:43.900 --> 00:05:46.200 when we struggle with fruitlessness or meaninglessness. 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:51.120 He noted that adjusting our expectations of work 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:53.900 and maintaining a view of the resurrection and eternity 00:05:53.900 --> 00:05:58.720 can be helpful as we persevere in the face of brokenness in our work. 00:05:59.460 --> 00:06:02.000 We should expect resistance to productivity 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:05.100 and feelings of dissatisfaction sometimes because of the curse. 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:11.819 But by recognizing that God still provides in the midst of all of this 00:06:11.819 --> 00:06:15.220 and has promised redemption and restoration in the end through Jesus, 00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:21.339 we can rest in the fact that our labor is not in vain, as Paul says. 00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:28.620 So all of this was an examination of how sin and brokenness in creation affects our work. 00:06:28.620 --> 00:06:31.840 But today we want to look at how sin and brokenness in our own hearts 00:06:31.840 --> 00:06:34.500 impacts our experience with work. 00:06:34.699 --> 00:06:37.699 And I just want to lay out a few points from the very beginning for clarity, 00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:42.600 the things that I hope we will all walk away with today after our discussion. 00:06:43.340 --> 00:06:46.579 If God's design for work is, as Sayers puts it, 00:06:46.579 --> 00:06:49.800 a gracious expression of creative energy offered in service to others, 00:06:49.800 --> 00:06:56.680 then sin can make work selfish, meaning it's not in service to others. 00:06:58.139 --> 00:07:05.900 Sin in our work reveals our idols to us and it distorts the expression of creative energy. 00:07:06.900 --> 00:07:14.160 And identifying and resisting our idols can help us, again, reorient to God's good design for work. 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:18.400 So those are the things that we want to work through today. 00:07:18.540 --> 00:07:23.040 Let me just pause after the review for any questions, comments. 00:07:27.540 --> 00:07:29.760 Okay, so we'll dive in then. 00:07:30.180 --> 00:07:34.080 So we've established that one of the primary features of being called to work 00:07:34.080 --> 00:07:37.400 is that we're called in service to others. 00:07:37.960 --> 00:07:41.180 That means that meaning and satisfaction and work come from God 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:44.139 when we are operating in service to Him first 00:07:44.139 --> 00:07:47.379 and in service to His creation second. 00:07:48.860 --> 00:07:55.300 This is the design of work as modeled by God's cultivation of and care for His creation. 00:07:55.620 --> 00:07:58.800 But when sin entered the equation, we saw that the ground was cursed 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:00.639 and with it our work. 00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:03.439 And it's not just the ground that was cursed, 00:08:03.540 --> 00:08:06.280 it's also our hearts that were corrupted by sin. 00:08:06.360 --> 00:08:07.860 And one of the consequences of this 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:12.759 is that work becomes a means of serving our own self-interests 00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:17.379 rather than a means to cultivate and care for God's creation. 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:21.360 So we don't have to look much further in Genesis 00:08:21.360 --> 00:08:23.600 to see an example of the outworking of this. 00:08:23.720 --> 00:08:27.439 Genesis 11 describes the story of the Tower of Babel. 00:08:27.960 --> 00:08:32.259 I'll just read that for us quickly, starting in verse 1. 00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:35.899 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words, 00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:37.580 and as people migrated from the east, 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:40.279 they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 00:08:40.819 --> 00:08:41.939 And they said to one another, 00:08:42.059 --> 00:08:45.059 Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly. 00:08:45.700 --> 00:08:48.240 And they had brick for stone and bitumen for mortar. 00:08:48.939 --> 00:08:51.480 Then they said, Come, let us build ourselves a city 00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:53.299 and a tower with its top in the heavens, 00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:55.100 and let us make a name for ourselves, 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:58.240 lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth. 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:02.080 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:03.700 which the children of man had built. 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:05.799 And the Lord said, Behold, they are one people, 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:07.840 and they have all one language, 00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:10.460 and this is only the beginning of what they will do. 00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:12.299 And nothing that they propose to do 00:09:12.299 --> 00:09:13.759 will now be impossible for them. 00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:17.680 Come, let us go down there and confuse their language 00:09:17.680 --> 00:09:20.240 so that they may not understand one another's speech. 00:09:20.680 --> 00:09:22.700 So the Lord dispersed them from there 00:09:22.700 --> 00:09:24.100 over the face of all the earth, 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:27.180 and they left off building the city. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:31.980 So we said last week that work can at times 00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:33.980 become fruitless and pointless. 00:09:35.299 --> 00:09:38.320 But in a worldly sense, when we look at Genesis 11, 00:09:38.560 --> 00:09:40.460 the labor of the people in Shinar 00:09:40.460 --> 00:09:43.180 was neither fruitless nor pointless on its face. 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:47.340 What could be a more obvious application 00:09:47.340 --> 00:09:51.180 of fruitful cultivation than making bricks and mortar 00:09:51.180 --> 00:09:52.139 and building a tower? 00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:52.580 Right? 00:09:53.799 --> 00:09:55.680 And what could be more meaningful 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:59.319 than using this technology to build a society 00:09:59.319 --> 00:10:01.279 where people can live in safety 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:02.739 and they can thrive together? 00:10:02.739 --> 00:10:03.159 Right? 00:10:03.419 --> 00:10:06.699 I'm sure this was part of the thought process, 00:10:06.819 --> 00:10:10.120 but despite the fruitful endeavors of the people 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:13.639 toward what I'm sure seemed like a meaningful goal, 00:10:13.739 --> 00:10:15.959 we know quite well that their work was not pleasing 00:10:15.959 --> 00:10:17.879 in the sight of the Lord. 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:19.059 Why? 00:10:21.340 --> 00:10:23.899 Even when work feels fruitful and meaningful, 00:10:24.179 --> 00:10:26.340 there's a danger lurking in the shadows 00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:28.179 when work becomes selfish, 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:33.720 when work is not ultimately in service to the Lord first, 00:10:33.820 --> 00:10:38.019 even if it is, in a way, in service to others. 00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:41.679 So in verse 4, look at verse 4, it says, 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:42.539 they say to themselves, 00:10:42.679 --> 00:10:44.600 come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:45.779 with its top in the heavens 00:10:45.779 --> 00:10:47.799 and let us make a name for ourselves 00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:51.000 lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth. 00:10:53.199 --> 00:10:55.779 So you could envision an alternate scenario 00:10:55.779 --> 00:10:58.279 where the people say, come, 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:02.019 let us build a city and a tower to the glory of the Lord 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:04.179 and let us proclaim the wonders of his handiwork 00:11:04.179 --> 00:11:05.939 so that the cultivation of his kingdom 00:11:05.940 --> 00:11:07.540 might progress in his good timing. 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:10.580 And in the alternate scenario, 00:11:10.980 --> 00:11:13.260 the product might have been exactly the same, 00:11:13.320 --> 00:11:15.340 a tower with its top to the heavens, right? 00:11:17.100 --> 00:11:19.280 But what we learn is that when the attitudes 00:11:19.280 --> 00:11:21.380 and intents underneath our labor 00:11:21.380 --> 00:11:25.720 are not oriented in service to the Lord and his kingdom, 00:11:25.800 --> 00:11:28.160 it ultimately leads to the detriment of what we're doing. 00:11:29.680 --> 00:11:31.920 The people were building their tower in their city 00:11:31.920 --> 00:11:34.120 out of pride and anxiety 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:35.960 to make a name for themselves 00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:37.799 so that they may not be dispersed 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:40.000 across the face of the earth. 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:43.460 And their efforts to build the tower were successful, 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:45.299 but their city development was stalled 00:11:45.299 --> 00:11:47.899 and their ultimate fear of being dispersed 00:11:47.899 --> 00:11:48.820 was realized, 00:11:49.659 --> 00:11:53.379 not just in the physical component, 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:54.700 but in the relational component 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:56.600 when their languages were confused. 00:11:56.600 --> 00:12:00.720 So I think this harkens back to some of the discussion 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:02.820 from last week that Kumli got into, 00:12:02.899 --> 00:12:04.620 that the book of Ecclesiastes highlights 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:07.320 the futility of work 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:09.220 and indeed all things, 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:10.420 when life is divorced 00:12:10.420 --> 00:12:13.320 from the presence of the Lord, 00:12:13.440 --> 00:12:14.500 from the presence of the creator 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:15.540 and giver of all things. 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:18.040 In chapter four there, 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.360 the teacher Koheleth says, 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:21.779 then I saw that all toil 00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:23.240 and all skill and work 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:26.139 come from a man's envy of his neighbor. 00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:28.560 This also is vanity 00:12:28.560 --> 00:12:30.539 and a striving after the wind. 00:12:32.560 --> 00:12:34.100 C.S. Lewis puts it differently 00:12:34.100 --> 00:12:34.759 in his book, 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:35.480 Mere Christianity. 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:36.139 He says, 00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:38.759 now what I want you to get clear 00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:42.440 is that pride is essentially competitive. 00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:45.680 It's competitive by its very nature. 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:48.699 Pride gets no pleasure 00:12:48.699 --> 00:12:50.139 out of having something, 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:53.459 only out of having more of it 00:12:53.459 --> 00:12:54.659 than the next man. 00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:57.579 We say people are proud of being rich 00:12:57.579 --> 00:12:58.719 or clever or good looking, 00:12:58.859 --> 00:12:59.579 but they are not. 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:01.259 They are proud of being richer 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:02.699 or cleverer 00:13:02.699 --> 00:13:05.099 or better looking than others. 00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:10.019 So we can enjoy great fruitfulness 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:11.379 and meaning from our work 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:13.939 building a taller tower, 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:15.559 a better bridge, 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:16.879 a nicer family, 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:18.979 a morally just society, 00:13:18.979 --> 00:13:19.899 and we can be doing 00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:20.859 all of these things 00:13:20.859 --> 00:13:21.819 out of interest 00:13:21.819 --> 00:13:23.679 in excellence 00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:25.559 and service to human beings. 00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:29.219 Or we can be doing them 00:13:29.219 --> 00:13:30.019 to differentiate 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:31.639 and elevate ourselves. 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:34.559 In the latter, 00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:35.919 our labor is almost certain 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:37.500 to suffer in the long term 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.299 and ultimately 00:13:38.299 --> 00:13:40.379 to disappoint us 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.740 when it does not give us 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:43.059 the thing which we 00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:45.099 are seeking out of it. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:47.859 So that's 00:13:47.859 --> 00:13:51.179 a way that work 00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:53.039 can become selfish. 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:54.919 We also want to discuss 00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:55.319 idols, 00:13:55.419 --> 00:13:56.159 but I want to stop 00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:57.979 for comments, 00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:58.559 questions, 00:13:58.799 --> 00:13:59.239 reflections. 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:03.659 Yes? 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:07.000 Is it wrong to be, 00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:08.000 like let's say you 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:08.899 accomplish something 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:09.440 outward, 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:11.720 is it wrong to just 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:13.039 kind of sit and enjoy 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:14.720 like even if it's a small win? 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:16.080 It's not necessarily 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:18.759 kind of a place of pride, 00:14:18.919 --> 00:14:19.500 it's just like, 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:20.960 hey, I worked really hard, 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:23.419 so I'm happy this went well. 00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:27.159 Let me repeat your question 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:28.120 so I understand it 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:29.899 and for the recording too. 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:30.879 You're asking, 00:14:31.099 --> 00:14:32.459 if something goes well 00:14:32.459 --> 00:14:33.179 at work, 00:14:33.939 --> 00:14:35.059 is it okay 00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:37.279 to enjoy it? 00:14:37.479 --> 00:14:38.120 Is that the, 00:14:38.479 --> 00:14:38.799 yeah? 00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:41.159 I think that's a great question 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:42.120 and I think the answer 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:46.379 is yes 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:47.980 and it depends, 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:48.399 right? 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:49.460 I think part of what 00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:50.539 we want to do today 00:14:50.539 --> 00:14:52.620 is go through 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.320 an exercise 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:54.480 of examining 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:56.039 the motivations 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:57.220 in our own heart 00:14:57.220 --> 00:14:59.500 for how we're 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:00.419 approaching things 00:15:00.419 --> 00:15:00.879 at work. 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:01.480 And so I think 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.299 at its face, 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.720 enjoying that 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:04.860 something went well 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:06.060 is absolutely 00:15:06.060 --> 00:15:08.539 a great thing, 00:15:08.680 --> 00:15:08.840 right? 00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:10.320 Like God gives us 00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:12.480 blessings and opportunities 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:13.800 to engage in the work 00:15:13.800 --> 00:15:15.060 that he's called us to do 00:15:15.060 --> 00:15:16.280 and what a great thing 00:15:16.280 --> 00:15:17.200 it is 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:18.920 when because of 00:15:18.920 --> 00:15:20.259 his grace in our lives, 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:21.080 the things that 00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:22.120 he's called us to 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:23.800 are in fact 00:15:23.800 --> 00:15:29.340 bringing tangible fruit 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:29.960 and cultivation 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:30.759 to the world 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.379 in a way that 00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:32.200 helps people 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:32.800 and brings us 00:15:32.800 --> 00:15:33.400 satisfaction 00:15:33.400 --> 00:15:34.160 in the work 00:15:34.160 --> 00:15:34.860 of his kingdom, 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.100 right? 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:35.960 I think where the danger 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:36.780 comes is when 00:15:36.780 --> 00:15:37.879 what we're enjoying 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:38.820 is not the cultivation 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:39.680 of his kingdom 00:15:39.680 --> 00:15:40.759 but our own 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:42.560 personal successes 00:15:42.560 --> 00:15:44.840 for our own 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.899 sort of pride 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:46.700 and we want to get 00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:47.420 into that a little bit 00:15:47.420 --> 00:15:47.920 more today 00:15:47.920 --> 00:15:48.519 but that's a great 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.019 question. 00:15:49.280 --> 00:15:49.620 Yeah, Peter. 00:15:50.660 --> 00:15:52.200 To comment on that, 00:15:52.300 --> 00:15:53.780 I think that might 00:15:53.780 --> 00:15:54.600 go back to the 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:55.980 C.S. Lewis quote 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:57.560 about pride 00:15:57.560 --> 00:15:59.259 and I think it goes 00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:00.340 down to a difference 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:01.639 of, you know, 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.120 pride and being 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.060 proud of something. 00:16:04.680 --> 00:16:05.480 Like I can be, 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:05.940 you know, 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:06.900 proud of my child's 00:16:06.900 --> 00:16:07.480 accomplishments 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.899 as much as I can 00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:10.159 be, you know, 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.500 proud or happy 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.639 that, you know, 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.480 the Lord helped me 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.500 accomplish something. 00:16:15.940 --> 00:16:17.080 But when you get 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:17.879 done with that 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:19.100 monumental task 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.980 and it gets done 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:20.500 and you're like, 00:16:20.940 --> 00:16:21.700 oh, thank you, 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.940 God, I, you know, 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:24.360 we got through it 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.659 and sit back 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:26.320 and relax 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:27.279 and be happy 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.200 that it's complete, 00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:31.759 it can slip 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.540 into the whole 00:16:32.540 --> 00:16:33.160 pride thing 00:16:33.160 --> 00:16:33.480 of, 00:16:34.040 --> 00:16:34.280 huh, 00:16:34.640 --> 00:16:35.780 I'll bet you 00:16:35.780 --> 00:16:36.360 Jamie could 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:36.820 have done it 00:16:36.820 --> 00:16:37.240 as well. 00:16:38.180 --> 00:16:38.580 Yeah. 00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:39.320 No, I think 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:40.259 that's a great 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:40.600 point. 00:16:41.100 --> 00:16:42.140 I think if we, 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:44.720 again, 00:16:44.800 --> 00:16:45.320 I think what we 00:16:45.320 --> 00:16:45.940 want to get into 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:46.580 is sort of an 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.340 examination of 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:47.960 our own motives 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:48.540 and if we're 00:16:48.540 --> 00:16:49.120 finding 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:51.140 enjoyment 00:16:51.140 --> 00:16:51.600 in, 00:16:52.180 --> 00:16:53.440 not in the 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:54.540 achievement 00:16:54.540 --> 00:16:55.280 of the thing 00:16:55.280 --> 00:16:55.860 for the sake 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:56.379 of the Lord's 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:56.659 kingdom, 00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:57.240 but in the 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:57.580 achievement 00:16:57.580 --> 00:16:58.220 of the thing 00:16:58.220 --> 00:16:58.679 for the sake 00:16:58.679 --> 00:16:59.279 of being better 00:16:59.279 --> 00:16:59.860 than another, 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:00.939 as Peter is 00:17:00.939 --> 00:17:01.240 saying, 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:02.340 then I think 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:02.899 we get into 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:03.939 some ways 00:17:03.939 --> 00:17:04.460 that we need 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.240 to be examining 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:05.700 ourselves. 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.279 Yeah, Susan 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:06.960 or Ivor. 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.799 I'm past this, 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:09.500 but I think 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.299 the big mind 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.480 field is when 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:11.940 you're looking 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.579 for work 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:15.059 and here 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:15.660 you have to 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.539 sell yourself 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:17.880 and write 00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:18.440 your resume 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.079 as if every 00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:19.619 good thing 00:17:19.619 --> 00:17:19.920 that ever 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:20.339 happened to 00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:20.700 your life 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:22.000 is a tribute 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.759 to your 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.640 capabilities. 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:25.759 And I 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:26.240 understand 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.519 the whole 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:26.940 thing about 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.480 credentials 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.319 and that's 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:28.640 not the 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:29.059 part that 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:29.960 bothers me 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:30.500 is just 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.480 it's a 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:32.180 mind field. 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:33.720 It's a 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.259 mind field. 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:34.660 I think 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.660 it's really 00:17:35.660 --> 00:17:36.259 hard to 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:36.599 think your 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:37.039 way through 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:37.599 that as a 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:37.859 Christian. 00:17:39.620 --> 00:17:40.299 Yeah, I 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:40.779 think that's 00:17:40.779 --> 00:17:41.500 a great 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.299 word, 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:43.920 Susan, 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:44.380 just the 00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:45.120 idea that 00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:45.620 we have 00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:46.180 to, 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.259 in the 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:48.660 way our 00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:49.259 current 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:51.120 society works, 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:51.740 the way 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.400 that we 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.339 search for 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:53.920 a job 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:54.820 is by 00:17:54.820 --> 00:17:58.380 meditating on 00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:58.840 all of the 00:17:58.840 --> 00:17:59.340 good things 00:17:59.340 --> 00:17:59.700 that we've 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:00.100 done so 00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:00.320 that we 00:18:00.320 --> 00:18:00.960 can condense 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.340 it in a 00:18:01.340 --> 00:18:01.580 resume. 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:04.180 And I 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:05.360 think there 00:18:05.360 --> 00:18:06.019 is a 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.920 right recognition 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:07.820 again of the 00:18:07.820 --> 00:18:08.340 way that 00:18:08.340 --> 00:18:09.160 God has 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:10.240 designed work 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.100 and the 00:18:11.100 --> 00:18:11.539 way that he 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:12.160 has designed 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.320 us to work. 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:13.980 And I think 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:14.920 it's okay to 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.720 recognize that 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.460 he's equipped 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:17.700 us in 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:19.140 particular 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:20.600 and unique 00:18:20.600 --> 00:18:22.420 ways and 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.640 that in 00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:24.380 his sovereignty 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:24.980 there are 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:26.180 particular needs 00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:26.560 in the 00:18:26.560 --> 00:18:27.240 world that 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.980 he's calling 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.420 us to 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:29.740 fill. 00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:30.220 And so 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:32.160 I do, 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.560 but I 00:18:34.560 --> 00:18:34.940 think your 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:35.540 point is 00:18:35.540 --> 00:18:37.200 right that 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.560 it's a 00:18:37.560 --> 00:18:38.580 minefield for 00:18:38.580 --> 00:18:39.540 us to 00:18:39.540 --> 00:18:40.680 continuously 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:42.020 recognize that 00:18:42.020 --> 00:18:43.020 these achievements 00:18:43.020 --> 00:18:43.600 we're putting 00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:44.480 on paper for 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:45.040 our resume 00:18:45.040 --> 00:18:46.820 are achievements 00:18:46.820 --> 00:18:47.540 that God 00:18:47.540 --> 00:18:48.120 has equipped 00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:48.739 us to do 00:18:48.739 --> 00:18:49.299 for the sake 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:49.659 of his 00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:51.039 kingdom and 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.619 not for our 00:18:51.619 --> 00:18:52.139 own personal 00:18:52.139 --> 00:18:52.599 advancement. 00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.199 Yes, 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:54.919 yes. 00:18:55.639 --> 00:18:56.000 I've heard. 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:57.119 I was taught 00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:57.639 from a very 00:18:57.639 --> 00:18:58.459 young age that 00:18:58.459 --> 00:18:58.979 we're supposed 00:18:58.979 --> 00:18:59.859 to take pride 00:18:59.859 --> 00:19:00.500 in our work 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:01.539 in order to 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.299 do the best 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:02.879 job we 00:19:02.879 --> 00:19:03.759 possibly can. 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.239 Sarah, 00:19:07.379 --> 00:19:07.519 yeah? 00:19:07.699 --> 00:19:08.519 Just one 00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:08.879 comment. 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:09.699 I agree, 00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:10.299 and I think 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:10.959 also the use 00:19:10.959 --> 00:19:11.379 of the word 00:19:11.379 --> 00:19:12.259 pride can be 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:12.859 like various, 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:14.179 but I just 00:19:14.179 --> 00:19:14.839 was remembering 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.639 back to like 00:19:15.639 --> 00:19:16.759 John Hinkson's 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:18.099 session on 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:19.319 sub-creators, 00:19:19.459 --> 00:19:20.259 and then how 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.980 Kumlay opened 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.679 up this series 00:19:21.679 --> 00:19:22.459 of work on 00:19:22.459 --> 00:19:22.980 creation. 00:19:23.399 --> 00:19:24.279 If we go back 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:24.740 to Genesis 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.579 131, 00:19:25.699 --> 00:19:27.079 God set kind 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:27.699 of an example 00:19:27.699 --> 00:19:28.639 for us to 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:29.619 look at the 00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:30.219 work and feel 00:19:30.219 --> 00:19:30.879 satisfied. 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.519 He says God 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:32.079 saw everything 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:32.519 that he had 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:32.799 made, and 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.299 behold it was 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:33.980 very good. 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:37.059 And so I 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:38.039 think there's 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.719 a model for 00:19:38.719 --> 00:19:39.539 us to kind 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:40.259 of observe 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.659 the work 00:19:41.659 --> 00:19:42.219 that God 00:19:42.219 --> 00:19:42.879 has done 00:19:42.879 --> 00:19:43.879 through us, 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:45.139 and making 00:19:45.139 --> 00:19:45.699 sure that we 00:19:45.699 --> 00:19:47.219 keep things in 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.539 the right 00:19:47.539 --> 00:19:48.019 place, but 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.299 to feel 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.339 satisfaction, I 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:50.839 think, in the 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.360 work that's 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:51.960 done is good 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:52.480 and right, 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:54.460 and if I'm 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:54.940 speaking for 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.799 my own self, 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:57.120 it's difficult 00:19:57.120 --> 00:19:58.120 to discern. 00:19:58.880 --> 00:19:59.480 Often there's 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.039 like a dual 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:01.299 intention in a 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:01.759 lot of these 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.440 feelings that we 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.279 experience. 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:04.480 And so just 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:06.319 to acknowledge 00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:07.279 that and enjoy 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.000 that and feel 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.720 the satisfaction 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.660 with an eye 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:11.100 on keeping 00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:11.960 our intentions 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.620 pure and 00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:13.180 listening to the 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:13.920 Holy Spirit for 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.740 conviction in 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.460 those moments, 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:17.059 I think it's 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:19.120 both and for 00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:19.720 those things. 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.059 Yeah, I think 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:22.200 that's a great 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:22.759 point. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:24.599 You know, 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:26.740 sin corrupts 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.680 everything, 00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:30.460 which is why we 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.299 always have to 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:32.319 be on guard 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.500 with our own 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:35.460 idols and our 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.980 own motivations. 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:38.819 But I think 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.339 it's a great 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:41.240 point that when 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:41.819 we say being 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:42.420 proud of our 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:43.140 work, like Ivor 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:43.800 says, I think 00:20:43.800 --> 00:20:44.440 there's a degree 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:45.420 of taking 00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:46.580 satisfaction in 00:20:46.580 --> 00:20:47.300 our work and 00:20:47.300 --> 00:20:49.100 kind of, you 00:20:49.100 --> 00:20:49.540 know, stepping 00:20:49.540 --> 00:20:50.420 back and looking 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.600 what God has 00:20:51.600 --> 00:20:52.360 equipped you to 00:20:52.360 --> 00:20:53.960 accomplish and 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:56.720 beholding the 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:58.759 beauty and the 00:20:58.759 --> 00:21:00.600 goodness of what 00:21:00.600 --> 00:21:01.400 it is, right? 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.060 And I think when 00:21:02.060 --> 00:21:02.820 we say we're proud 00:21:02.820 --> 00:21:03.300 of our work, 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:03.980 there's an element 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.880 of that in it 00:21:04.880 --> 00:21:05.780 that is a good 00:21:05.780 --> 00:21:06.180 thing. 00:21:06.340 --> 00:21:08.080 But I think 00:21:08.080 --> 00:21:08.700 Sarah's right 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.440 that using the 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.340 word pride can 00:21:10.340 --> 00:21:10.940 have different 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:11.680 connotations. 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:12.160 and when we 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:12.860 say we're proud 00:21:12.860 --> 00:21:13.640 of ourselves 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:15.060 in the work 00:21:15.060 --> 00:21:15.480 that we've 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.140 done, then it 00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:17.120 becomes a 00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:17.820 little bit more 00:21:17.820 --> 00:21:19.180 dangerous. 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:19.980 Sammy? 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.560 Pride, however, 00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:23.480 does not make 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.420 people successful, 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.019 right? 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:27.560 That's absolutely 00:21:27.560 --> 00:21:28.880 correct. 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.700 Yeah, pride does 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.799 not make people 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.960 successful, I 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.299 think. 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.940 Pride and in 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:36.019 that we do not 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.740 make ourselves 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:38.060 successful, right? 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:39.019 God makes us 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:40.180 successful. 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:40.720 humble ourselves 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.620 before the Lord. 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.519 Yes, I think 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.060 that's a great 00:21:43.060 --> 00:21:43.279 word. 00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:43.960 We absolutely 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:45.380 should always be 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:46.180 humbling ourselves 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:46.960 before the Lord. 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:48.340 Yeah, thank you. 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:53.060 Okay, so this is 00:21:53.060 --> 00:21:56.259 really helpful and I 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:56.759 think we want to 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.660 take some time to 00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:58.880 talk through 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.920 idols. 00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:03.820 It's a little bit 00:22:03.820 --> 00:22:04.640 of an expansion on 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:05.460 what we're already 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.240 talking about here, 00:22:06.360 --> 00:22:07.560 so let me keep 00:22:07.560 --> 00:22:07.940 going. 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:09.279 We said our 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.940 first point is 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:10.620 that sin makes 00:22:10.620 --> 00:22:12.299 work selfish rather 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.400 than a labor in 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:14.259 service to others, 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.700 but this leads to 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.240 the subsequent 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:18.519 point, which is 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.440 that work pursued 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.360 for our own ends 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:21.539 reveals the idols 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.440 that we have set up 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.080 in our own hearts 00:22:23.080 --> 00:22:23.720 and these idols 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.620 can wreak havoc in 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:26.059 our work in a 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.920 variety of ways. 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.559 So let's look at 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:30.140 Exodus 20 quickly 00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:32.299 to talk through the 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:33.180 concept of idols for 00:22:33.180 --> 00:22:33.860 just a second. 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.279 Exodus 20 says, 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:35.920 you shall have no 00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:36.700 other gods before 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:36.980 me. 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:38.299 You shall not make 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:39.019 for yourself a 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.980 carved image or any 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.920 likeness of anything 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.579 that is in heaven 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:43.200 above or that is in 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.460 the earth beneath or 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:45.220 that is in the water 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.859 under the earth. 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:47.099 You shall not bow 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:48.359 down to them or 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:49.000 serve them. 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.240 So most of us are 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:53.519 not carving images 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.399 and bowing down to 00:22:54.399 --> 00:22:55.180 them, but the Bible 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.700 is clear that we set 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.579 up idols in our 00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:59.099 hearts in such a way 00:22:59.099 --> 00:23:00.319 that making an idol 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:02.399 is not just a 00:23:02.399 --> 00:23:03.879 physical process. 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:05.260 Keller describes it 00:23:05.260 --> 00:23:05.780 in this way. 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:06.140 He says, 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.180 making an idol means 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:09.020 imagining and trusting 00:23:09.020 --> 00:23:11.320 anything to deliver 00:23:11.320 --> 00:23:12.040 the control, 00:23:12.320 --> 00:23:12.840 security, 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.640 significance, 00:23:14.080 --> 00:23:14.640 satisfaction, 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:16.360 and beauty that only 00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:17.580 the real God can 00:23:17.580 --> 00:23:17.920 give. 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.900 It means turning a 00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:21.960 good thing into an 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:23.500 ultimate thing. 00:23:25.300 --> 00:23:26.400 So when we turn a 00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:27.120 good thing into an 00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:27.760 ultimate thing, it 00:23:27.760 --> 00:23:28.760 draws our attention 00:23:28.760 --> 00:23:29.920 and our devotion from 00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:30.780 God and it puts it 00:23:30.780 --> 00:23:31.500 in a place where it 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.220 doesn't belong. 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:34.539 Aside from the 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:36.400 danger that idols 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:37.600 present in our walk 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:39.160 with God, they also 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:40.039 have disastrous 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:41.160 implications in the 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:42.660 outworking of our 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.000 labor. 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:45.279 Idols impair our 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.880 wisdom, they corrupt 00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:47.720 our fruit, and they 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:48.940 diminish our 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:50.740 satisfaction in our 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.140 calling. 00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:53.980 I'm not sure how 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.920 many of you ever 00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:56.100 watch The Office, 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.240 the American TV 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:58.380 show, but there's 00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.019 one character named 00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:01.220 Dwight who idolizes 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:04.640 ambition and company 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.100 profit. 00:24:06.100 --> 00:24:07.180 So he's always 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:08.319 seeking a way to 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.559 elevate himself above 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:11.240 his colleagues as the 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:13.339 ultimate loyal 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:13.960 employee. 00:24:14.360 --> 00:24:14.900 And there's one 00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:15.900 episode in particular, 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:16.720 this is one of my 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.420 favorites, when he 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.279 tries to increase 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:20.559 company profits by 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:21.799 installing meters on 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.440 the stalls of the 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:23.680 bathrooms for the 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.380 employees. 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:25.579 Right? 00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:27.699 So his efforts, of 00:24:27.699 --> 00:24:28.639 course, never come to 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:31.220 fruition, and he's 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.279 always left frustrated 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.240 because he can't 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:34.079 achieve his goals. 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:34.399 Right? 00:24:34.899 --> 00:24:37.240 So if we think back to 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.059 Sayer's definition, 00:24:38.399 --> 00:24:39.139 work is a gracious 00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:40.199 expression of creative 00:24:40.199 --> 00:24:41.139 energy offered in 00:24:41.139 --> 00:24:41.980 service to others. 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:45.199 Nobody could accuse 00:24:45.199 --> 00:24:47.379 Dwight of a lack of 00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:48.960 creativity or energy in 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:50.139 his solution for 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:51.559 maximizing profits. 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:53.819 And likewise, nobody 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:55.519 could accuse the 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.480 people of Shinar of a 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.539 lack of creativity or 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.379 energy in building a 00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:58.679 tower. 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:01.139 The downfall here in 00:25:01.139 --> 00:25:01.619 both of these 00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.659 situations is that the 00:25:02.659 --> 00:25:04.019 creative energy is not 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:05.059 offered in service to 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:06.099 others, but rather in 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:07.480 service ultimately to 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:09.079 themselves, to their 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:10.539 success, to their 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:12.279 notoriety, and their 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.619 greatness. 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:14.919 And in so doing, the 00:25:14.919 --> 00:25:16.480 normally good goal 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:18.099 isn't realized because 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:19.899 the effort is corrupted 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:21.720 by their misplaced 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.940 ultimate goal. 00:25:23.380 --> 00:25:23.519 Right? 00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:24.340 And I think one of the 00:25:24.340 --> 00:25:24.960 points that we really 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:25.980 want to examine today is 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:27.519 that we all do this in 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.460 various ways in our 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:29.620 work, not to the level 00:25:29.620 --> 00:25:31.060 of sort of hilarity of 00:25:31.060 --> 00:25:32.240 installing meters on 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:32.940 the bathroom stalls, 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:35.800 but buried in our 00:25:35.800 --> 00:25:37.080 day-to-day activities 00:25:37.080 --> 00:25:39.140 are these spoken or 00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:40.200 unspoken goals and 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:42.060 expectations that drive 00:25:42.060 --> 00:25:43.180 the way we think about 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:44.460 and carry out our work. 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:46.519 And when these goals or 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.360 expectations are 00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:48.300 elevated above their 00:25:48.300 --> 00:25:49.400 rightful places in our 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:50.240 hearts, they become 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:52.140 idols that do what we 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:53.460 said earlier. 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:55.400 They impair our 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:56.519 decision-making and 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.280 they diminish our 00:25:57.280 --> 00:25:58.280 satisfaction in the 00:25:58.280 --> 00:25:59.720 work that we're doing. 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:03.100 So a dedication to 00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:04.200 high work ethic and 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:05.380 fiscal responsibility 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:07.720 improperly elevated 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.820 becomes an unhealthy 00:26:08.820 --> 00:26:11.320 focus on accumulation of 00:26:11.320 --> 00:26:11.620 wealth. 00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:14.000 So we then find 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:14.880 ourselves tempted or 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:15.820 confused in morally 00:26:15.820 --> 00:26:16.800 gray areas of profit 00:26:16.800 --> 00:26:17.800 making because of fear 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:18.539 loss of income 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.200 opportunity. 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:21.379 And we think if I work 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:22.480 hard, but I don't make 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:24.099 good money, then I'll 00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:26.599 never enjoy abundance. 00:26:27.379 --> 00:26:28.919 These kinds of if-then 00:26:28.919 --> 00:26:30.000 statements are the things 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.799 where I think we can 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:33.399 start to probe what is 00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:35.220 the thing that we're not 00:26:35.220 --> 00:26:35.700 believing? 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:38.259 What are the biblical 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.279 truths that we're not 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:39.919 believing here? 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:42.600 A recognition of the 00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:43.460 goodness of being in 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.860 relationship with others 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:47.039 improperly elevated 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:48.039 becomes an endless 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:49.320 pursuit of acceptance 00:26:49.320 --> 00:26:51.220 and affirmation from the 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:51.560 world. 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:54.080 So then we start 00:26:54.080 --> 00:26:55.240 placing burdens on our 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:56.340 family and friends that 00:26:56.340 --> 00:26:57.759 they can't carry out of 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:59.560 fear of being alone and 00:26:59.560 --> 00:27:00.080 isolated. 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:01.360 We think if I don't find 00:27:01.360 --> 00:27:02.240 the right friends, the 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:03.920 right spouse, raise the 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:05.460 right kids, then I'll 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:07.039 never enjoy meaningful 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:08.100 relationships and I'll be 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.980 alone forever. 00:27:12.679 --> 00:27:14.199 If I don't find success 00:27:14.199 --> 00:27:15.579 in my work, then all of 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.939 my work is for nothing. 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:19.799 If I don't advance in my 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:21.500 job, I'll never have the 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.899 opportunity to make a 00:27:22.899 --> 00:27:23.319 difference. 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:28.639 These if-then statements 00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:30.000 reveal the idols that are 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:31.480 seated in our hearts. 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:34.839 And I think examining them 00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:35.959 in our own hearts can be 00:27:35.959 --> 00:27:36.319 helpful. 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:37.619 We said that idols impair 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:38.679 our decision-making and 00:27:38.679 --> 00:27:39.619 diminish our satisfaction 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:40.240 and our calling. 00:27:40.419 --> 00:27:42.000 So guarding against 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:44.240 these or even dethroning 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:46.019 them with the help of the 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:48.119 Lord can prevent or 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:49.220 reverse these effects by 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:51.039 reorienting our hearts 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:53.460 toward God's good design 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.779 for work. 00:27:55.179 --> 00:27:56.480 So ultimately, I think 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.919 what we're trying to do 00:27:57.919 --> 00:28:00.059 in reversing this is 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:01.839 illuminating wise direction 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:03.460 in our work and 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:05.639 persevering in the face of 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:07.740 fear or frustration or 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:10.440 disappointment in our work. 00:28:11.320 --> 00:28:12.500 So I'm going to stop there 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:16.560 too and ask for comments, 00:28:17.060 --> 00:28:19.140 questions, reflections. 00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:32.160 There are so many ways that 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:33.580 idols can be set up in our 00:28:33.580 --> 00:28:36.000 hearts that it's hard to 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:38.340 sort of comprehensively think 00:28:38.340 --> 00:28:40.480 through all of the ways that 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:42.240 this might happen. 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:47.140 But I think it's helpful to 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:49.279 think through just a few 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:49.759 examples. 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:54.380 So I have an example. 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:57.680 I'm an engineer and I can 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:59.779 give some examples from my 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:05.859 own job and how working this 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:07.579 out can kind of look. 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:11.000 But at this point, what I'm 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:13.859 hoping is for discussion 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:15.699 and engagement. 00:29:15.939 --> 00:29:17.299 So I'll talk about it a little 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:19.480 bit, but interrupt me at any 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.139 point if you want. 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:22.779 So we talked about these kind 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:24.519 of high level things, right? 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:26.679 I can be setting up an idol, 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:29.819 pursuing wealth, you know, 00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:32.000 relationships, success in my 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:33.240 work or advancement in my job. 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:34.940 These are high level things, 00:29:35.120 --> 00:29:36.859 but getting into the specifics 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:39.099 for our day to day is I think 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:40.299 where it can be helpful. 00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:43.279 So as I said, I'm an 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:43.579 engineer. 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:45.099 Most engineers really like to 00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:46.099 build things. 00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:49.380 But the more complex the thing 00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:51.880 is and the riskier it is to 00:29:51.880 --> 00:29:54.620 the user, the more documentation 00:29:54.620 --> 00:29:56.380 is required. 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:59.880 And documentation typically 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:03.040 isn't the first love of 00:30:03.040 --> 00:30:04.440 engineers to my knowledge. 00:30:06.040 --> 00:30:08.740 But it is good and necessary. 00:30:09.340 --> 00:30:11.100 But there's one big if-then 00:30:11.100 --> 00:30:12.740 statement that I think we all 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.960 have to be on guard against when 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:15.320 we're engaging in our 00:30:15.320 --> 00:30:16.460 documentation and that's if 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.600 nobody reads this document, 00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:19.440 then the work doesn't matter. 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:20.860 Right? 00:30:22.260 --> 00:30:25.700 This is a real issue for me 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:27.040 because lots of engineers work 00:30:27.040 --> 00:30:28.180 on lots of products that never 00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:29.220 see the light of day because 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:30.279 for whatever reason the 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:31.620 product was not deemed viable 00:30:31.620 --> 00:30:32.180 in the market. 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:34.360 And so often when we're 00:30:34.360 --> 00:30:37.220 documenting things, it's well 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:38.740 recognized that some of the 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:41.279 documents, not all, but some 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:43.700 of them may never get reviewed 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.640 by anyone. 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:48.940 So we said work is a gracious 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:50.299 expression of creative energy 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:51.360 offered in service to others. 00:30:51.360 --> 00:30:53.360 So if I make documents that 00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:56.759 nobody will read describing a 00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:58.279 product that will never get 00:30:58.279 --> 00:31:01.940 made, does the work no longer 00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:02.539 matter? 00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:06.319 Should we as engineers bother 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:07.339 putting any of our creative 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:08.319 energy into making these 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:09.059 documents good? 00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:14.460 Mixed up in the question I think 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.579 is some of what we've discussed 00:31:15.579 --> 00:31:16.680 both from this week and last 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:16.839 week. 00:31:16.899 --> 00:31:18.279 There's an idle at play here. 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:20.220 If others do not see and 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:21.759 approve of my work, then what I 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:23.619 do has no meaning and thus no 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:24.019 value. 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:26.639 Yes, Iver? 00:31:26.679 --> 00:31:28.939 I would disagree with that 00:31:28.939 --> 00:31:31.039 because you are letting management 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:34.279 know that this product is not going 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:34.639 to work. 00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:38.079 I agree. 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:38.559 Yes. 00:31:38.679 --> 00:31:41.500 So the idea that in our 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.939 documentation we're letting our 00:31:42.939 --> 00:31:44.399 management know that the product is 00:31:44.399 --> 00:31:45.139 not going to work. 00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:46.140 work. 00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:47.140 So even if whatever customers 00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:49.800 don't see the instructions that we 00:31:49.800 --> 00:31:51.440 wrote, the regulatory bodies don't 00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:53.720 see the reports that we wrote, 00:31:53.780 --> 00:31:57.300 whatever it happens to be, they do 00:31:57.300 --> 00:31:58.140 still have value. 00:31:58.220 --> 00:31:59.400 And I think that's the point that we 00:31:59.400 --> 00:32:01.180 want to get to, Iver, is that the 00:32:01.180 --> 00:32:03.240 idle, the thing that we tend to 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:06.080 believe in those moments is the 00:32:06.080 --> 00:32:06.920 lie. 00:32:07.120 --> 00:32:07.240 Right? 00:32:07.340 --> 00:32:09.320 Like, I'm going to do this and 00:32:09.320 --> 00:32:10.940 nobody's going to read it and so it 00:32:10.940 --> 00:32:11.500 doesn't matter. 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:12.420 That's not true. 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.120 Yeah, Peter. 00:32:13.119 --> 00:32:15.519 Well, the fatal flaw in that thought 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:17.259 process is that nobody's going to 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:19.619 see it when, of course, you know, 00:32:19.939 --> 00:32:21.379 you're working for the Lord and so 00:32:21.379 --> 00:32:22.579 the Lord's going to still see it. 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:25.279 Yes, that is exactly right. 00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:27.339 So the Lord is still going to see it. 00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:30.779 And I think, I'm going to start 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:32.319 jumping around now in my notes and so 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:33.139 it's going to get a lot less 00:32:33.139 --> 00:32:34.279 organized, so I apologize. 00:32:35.399 --> 00:32:41.279 But that highlights something that's 00:32:41.279 --> 00:32:42.239 really important. 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:43.599 And this is for me personally, like, 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:45.279 as I was writing this, this is, I 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:46.500 needed this this week, right? 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.579 Because I'm working on a lot of 00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:48.700 documents right now that I'm like, 00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:49.640 I don't know where these are going to 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:52.180 go, but they are important. 00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:53.700 And I needed this reminder. 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:59.940 And Kunle shared the Tolkien story, 00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:01.599 Leaf by Nigel, last week. 00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:04.240 This idea that there's an artist who 00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:07.039 has a vision of a tree. 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:09.839 And this tree is big and beautiful and 00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:10.440 glorious. 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:13.220 And it's in his mind. 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:15.879 And he takes, he takes up the task of 00:33:15.879 --> 00:33:17.059 trying to put it on paper. 00:33:17.379 --> 00:33:20.339 And he labors for so long and he labors so 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:20.720 hard. 00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:23.079 And the only thing he got out of it was 00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:24.420 this little leaf. 00:33:25.619 --> 00:33:28.059 And he despairs over it. 00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:34.000 And in the end, when he dies and he's in 00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:37.859 heaven, he's, he finds the tree in all of 00:33:37.859 --> 00:33:39.859 its beauty, in all of its glory. 00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:44.919 And he recognizes his role in, in just 00:33:44.919 --> 00:33:48.000 bringing out just the little bit of beauty 00:33:48.000 --> 00:33:52.019 now that's a reflection and a signpost of 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:54.679 the beauty that is to come in the very end. 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:57.400 And so that is, and that gets back to what 00:33:57.400 --> 00:33:59.019 Peter is saying about this example of 00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.580 documentation. 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:03.500 I'm saying somewhere there is a glorious 00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:07.940 filing cabinet that's full of all of the 00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:11.539 reports that nobody saw with all of the 00:34:11.539 --> 00:34:15.079 knowledge that I forgot, comprehensively 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:19.099 documented with clarity and precision. 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:21.599 And I'll have my one little page in there 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:23.200 that was just my little contribution. 00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:24.980 And it will be glorious. 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:31.859 And so I think even if nobody ever saw it, 00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:33.099 the Lord would see it. 00:34:33.339 --> 00:34:36.179 And what I want to guard against a little 00:34:36.179 --> 00:34:40.599 bit is, is we want to engage in the work 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:43.619 well, not out of fear of judgment from the 00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:46.500 Lord for doing it improperly, but out of a 00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:50.059 hope of what the Lord is doing in the midst 00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:58.179 of our feebleness and our, our just finiteness in, 00:34:58.420 --> 00:35:00.639 and in, in, in our sin in the world. 00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:01.519 Susan. 00:35:01.739 --> 00:35:03.119 Alex, I just want to add to that. 00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:07.139 We mentioned with, like, that we're very poor 00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:11.199 judges of our own, the efficacy of our own work. 00:35:11.199 --> 00:35:17.059 So you, from my own limited perspective, it does seem like 00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:18.480 nobody's going to ever see this. 00:35:19.480 --> 00:35:25.559 I would say that your co-workers may notice what energy you give to this. 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:29.159 And they may know that that's kind of unusual. 00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:36.099 And we don't know what power it is you have in, in being, in having 00:35:36.099 --> 00:35:39.420 integrity and things that maybe other people don't know. 00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:47.319 So we're just, I think that's, yeah, a great word, Susan. 00:35:49.599 --> 00:35:55.159 I think there is an element of when we work unto the Lord, as unto the Lord and 00:35:55.159 --> 00:36:00.960 not for man, there is an element of being salt and light in the world and being 00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:04.519 sort of set apart as followers of Christ. 00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:13.059 And, and I think what we're trying to, I think what we're trying to highlight in 00:36:13.059 --> 00:36:20.380 those moments is the hope that we have for our work, that our work, our labor is 00:36:20.380 --> 00:36:21.280 not in vain. 00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:27.119 It matters because it's part of the cultivation of God's kingdom. 00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:33.440 And it's part of his care for creation, even if in our limited view, we don't 00:36:33.440 --> 00:36:36.739 really see how that, how that plays out. 00:36:38.739 --> 00:36:39.219 Sarah? 00:36:39.420 --> 00:36:43.440 Just share some additional like perspective. 00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:48.079 I feel like what you were sharing is like this moment of discouragement in your 00:36:48.079 --> 00:36:48.420 work. 00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:50.719 And then we point back to what is true, right? 00:36:50.719 --> 00:36:58.059 And so I feel like for me in these, these highs and these lows of work, often it's 00:36:58.059 --> 00:37:01.739 the high and the low where the idolatry has crept in for me. 00:37:01.959 --> 00:37:05.779 And so when I'm feeling like, oh my gosh, what am I even doing on my computer? 00:37:05.899 --> 00:37:07.299 Like I'm just tapping a million keys. 00:37:07.459 --> 00:37:08.599 You know, what does this even mean? 00:37:09.259 --> 00:37:11.939 And I have my existential crisis. 00:37:13.159 --> 00:37:15.379 Often that's when sin has crept in, right? 00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:20.800 And so we anchor on, this is my calling actually, and it matters because God has 00:37:20.800 --> 00:37:26.140 said, go and be sub creators, go and do the work that I have called you to do. 00:37:26.220 --> 00:37:28.960 And today, this is your work and, you know, do it. 00:37:29.360 --> 00:37:31.500 And, and I, and it is bringing me glory. 00:37:31.700 --> 00:37:35.920 The fact that you are doing what I have called you to do and, you know, and keeping 00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:41.800 that anchor of perspective while examining our hearts, you know, for the, the idols 00:37:41.800 --> 00:37:46.880 that may have crept in and reminding ourselves what is true, you know, and, and how it matters. 00:37:46.880 --> 00:37:53.660 But I think ultimately keeping an eye on like God's glory and what he has called us to. 00:37:53.660 --> 00:38:00.160 And that I think salt and light is an outpouring of us diligently following our calling and, and, 00:38:00.160 --> 00:38:01.760 and listening to the Holy Spirit. 00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:08.980 And, um, yeah, but anyways, I guess, sorry, I'm rambling a bit, but what I was sharing is 00:38:08.980 --> 00:38:14.900 like, I feel like it's the highs and the lows where the examination and the idols and the, 00:38:14.900 --> 00:38:19.380 um, the temptations creeps in most. 00:38:19.639 --> 00:38:19.860 Yeah. 00:38:20.119 --> 00:38:22.920 To kind of succumb to what you're saying. 00:38:23.300 --> 00:38:23.579 Yeah. 00:38:23.880 --> 00:38:24.699 That's great. 00:38:31.440 --> 00:38:31.960 Yeah. 00:38:31.960 --> 00:38:32.039 Yeah. 00:38:32.039 --> 00:38:32.260 Yeah. 00:38:32.260 --> 00:38:37.420 Hopefully it wasn't too off topic, but the Exodus reading made me think of the idea that in the 00:38:37.420 --> 00:38:40.360 desert, there's sort of two, uh, settlements. 00:38:40.360 --> 00:38:45.460 There's sort of the, the organizing community around the golden calf or organizing the community 00:38:45.460 --> 00:38:49.740 in the sort of temporary cap encampment with the tabernacle at the center. 00:38:50.320 --> 00:38:56.340 And so if that's sort of a metaphor for ourselves, we can kind of work on bringing our hearts of 00:38:56.340 --> 00:39:01.639 the golden calf and sort of try to focus on the, the tabernacle, the center of our hearts. 00:39:01.639 --> 00:39:08.980 But if it's also sort of a metaphor for our work, um, as you sort of work on ridding your 00:39:08.980 --> 00:39:15.400 heart of the golden calf, if you're sort of living in a community that's organized around 00:39:15.400 --> 00:39:20.759 the golden calf, that tension's kind of sort of increases as the golden calf is eradicated 00:39:20.760 --> 00:39:28.340 and it's hard to, uh, to see that the center of your community is, is troubled. 00:39:28.560 --> 00:39:29.920 I don't know if that gets too off topic. 00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:32.460 No, it doesn't get off topic at all. 00:39:32.640 --> 00:39:41.280 Actually, it's a, it's a really helpful point, um, that, uh, we, I, I, we didn't have time 00:39:41.280 --> 00:39:46.840 quite to get to today, but I would really encourage anybody who's interested in that to go read 00:39:46.840 --> 00:39:51.320 what Keller has written in his book because he has a lot of discussion on what he calls 00:39:51.320 --> 00:39:52.840 corporate and cultural idols. 00:39:53.420 --> 00:39:59.120 Um, and we talk a lot about at the individual level, uh, you know, the idols in our hearts 00:39:59.120 --> 00:40:03.780 and how we look at our hearts and understand, um, how idols are influencing what we're doing. 00:40:03.780 --> 00:40:10.559 But there, there are these sort of cultural and corporate influences that are at play, uh, 00:40:10.559 --> 00:40:19.139 in, in, in the ways that sin is, is, um, is sort of corrupting the world and, um, and it matters, 00:40:19.139 --> 00:40:30.500 uh, for us what sort of community that we're in because of the idols that, that are at play 00:40:30.500 --> 00:40:32.099 in, in the various types of communities. 00:40:32.099 --> 00:40:34.559 So, um, I'm not doing it justice. 00:40:34.759 --> 00:40:37.860 Keller has some really great content on, on that. 00:40:37.860 --> 00:40:44.800 Um, but I think it highlights the importance of being rooted in biblical community, no matter 00:40:44.800 --> 00:40:47.400 what cultural context you're in. 00:40:47.400 --> 00:40:54.760 Um, because that's where the truth that, that battles or dethrones these idols is going to 00:40:54.760 --> 00:40:59.079 be constantly and regularly communicated and reinforced in our hearts. 00:40:59.079 --> 00:40:59.440 Right. 00:40:59.500 --> 00:41:05.280 So, so I, I think, I, I'm not sure if I understood your, your point or your question correctly, but, 00:41:05.280 --> 00:41:09.120 um, but I, I think it's really helpful to, to identify. 00:41:09.120 --> 00:41:24.920 Um, I'll just say in, uh, in a quick conclusion, um, that nobody does what we're talking about 00:41:24.920 --> 00:41:25.920 perfectly. 00:41:25.920 --> 00:41:26.760 Right. 00:41:26.760 --> 00:41:34.340 Um, um, sin corrupts everything, um, including our hearts. 00:41:34.680 --> 00:41:39.380 And I, somebody said it earlier, but like our motivations are always going to be kind of 00:41:39.380 --> 00:41:41.820 mixed and pulled in different directions. 00:41:41.820 --> 00:41:48.220 And the point in this is that we should always be running back to the Lord for his help in 00:41:48.220 --> 00:41:52.820 humility and dependence, because he is the one who equips us to do the work that he has 00:41:52.820 --> 00:41:53.599 called us to do. 00:41:53.599 --> 00:41:58.420 So being less selfish and dethroning our idols doesn't make us more acceptable to God. 00:41:59.079 --> 00:42:04.839 You know, this isn't the way that we make ourselves justified before the, uh, justified 00:42:04.839 --> 00:42:12.900 before the Lord, but it's, um, it is work that he has called us to do, uh, as we engage 00:42:12.900 --> 00:42:18.599 in our walk with him to just, um, be sensitive to the ways that the spirit is, is calling us 00:42:18.599 --> 00:42:24.480 toward, uh, sanctification on a daily basis and calling us to, to engage in the work, um, 00:42:24.539 --> 00:42:25.960 that, that he's called us to. 00:42:25.960 --> 00:42:28.679 So, uh, there's a couple minutes left. 00:42:28.679 --> 00:42:35.579 And so I do want to just leave room for any other questions or comments that have come up 00:42:35.579 --> 00:42:37.039 from the discussion. 00:42:37.039 --> 00:42:38.039 Okay. 00:42:38.039 --> 00:42:38.039 00:42:38.039 --> 00:42:51.519 Well, if there's nothing, then, um, I can close this in prayer, um, and, and we can head 00:42:51.519 --> 00:42:51.920 downstairs. 00:42:51.920 --> 00:42:53.699 Thanks everybody for, for coming today. 00:42:53.699 --> 00:42:55.460 Uh, let's pray. 00:42:55.619 --> 00:43:04.939 Lord, uh, we do just, uh, put all of this before you, um, and confess that, um, we are not sufficient 00:43:04.939 --> 00:43:08.319 for the work that you've called us to do, but Lord, in your grace that you have equipped 00:43:08.319 --> 00:43:12.839 us to, um, to engage in the work, Lord. 00:43:12.879 --> 00:43:21.359 And we, we confess that, um, our selfishness and our idols do, uh, they, they corrupt our hearts, 00:43:21.360 --> 00:43:27.300 Lord, and they, um, they distract from the work that you've called us to do. 00:43:27.360 --> 00:43:33.539 And we just ask that by your spirit, you would be, um, you would be sanctifying us, um, day 00:43:33.539 --> 00:43:37.680 by day, Lord, to make us, um, and mold us into the image of your son. 00:43:38.260 --> 00:43:45.019 Um, and that you would give us a hope, um, in the difficulties of our work, that, uh, our 00:43:45.019 --> 00:43:51.320 labor is not in vain, um, but that you are using and redeeming all of our labors. 00:43:51.360 --> 00:43:53.280 Uh, for the sake of your kingdom, Lord. 00:43:53.340 --> 00:43:57.180 And we just pray that we would, uh, find hope and joy and satisfaction in that. 00:43:57.260 --> 00:43:59.000 And it's in Jesus Christ's name we pray. 00:43:59.140 --> 00:43:59.320 Amen. 00:43:59.880 --> 00:44:00.240 Amen. 00:44:01.039 --> 00:44:01.519 All right. 00:44:01.579 --> 00:44:02.599 Thanks everyone for coming. 00:44:02.940 --> 00:44:07.140 Um, I think we will not meet for the next two weeks. 00:44:07.519 --> 00:44:09.180 Um, next week is Easter. 00:44:09.180 --> 00:44:11.559 And then the week after that, Kunle and I are both out of town. 00:44:11.760 --> 00:44:15.079 So, um, in three weeks we'll, we'll meet again. 00:44:15.800 --> 00:44:16.740 So thanks for coming. 00:44:21.360 --> 00:44:22.039 Sure. 00:44:22.740 --> 00:44:24.599 Actually, I think you needed this class today. 00:44:24.900 --> 00:44:25.059 Hmm? 00:44:25.360 --> 00:44:26.579 I think I needed this class today. 00:44:26.579 --> 00:44:26.920 Did you? 00:44:27.200 --> 00:44:27.440 Good. 00:44:27.720 --> 00:44:33.059 Yeah, the last time I went to work, I, uh, uh, had a patient. 00:44:33.059 --> 00:44:41.519 And so, uh, originally I was, uh, working with just one, one patient that had an empty bed. 00:44:41.519 --> 00:44:50.139 And, uh, another, uh, nurses, you know, had a busier, uh, and she's like, hey, maybe you can take my one patient. 00:44:50.759 --> 00:44:54.280 That way, you know, I can just focus more on this other busier patient. 00:44:55.059 --> 00:44:59.900 I, uh, and I told her, no, I don't think that's a good idea. 00:44:59.900 --> 00:45:00.220 Yeah. 00:45:01.420 --> 00:45:03.340 I'm a senior at that place. 00:45:03.500 --> 00:45:03.840 Mm-hmm. 00:45:03.860 --> 00:45:08.960 There's certain things that I've been trained to do that other nurses haven't been trained to do. 00:45:09.039 --> 00:45:09.280 Right. 00:45:10.200 --> 00:45:13.579 That in itself leads to worries about pride. 00:45:14.400 --> 00:45:20.660 But I was like, no, I, you know, what happens if somebody comes in there and then we're switching the patient back again? 00:45:21.019 --> 00:45:21.300 Yeah. 00:45:21.300 --> 00:45:25.820 And, you know, you end up with three different nurses for one patient in a 12-hour shift. 00:45:26.059 --> 00:45:26.220 Yeah. 00:45:26.219 --> 00:45:34.899 There's no, well, a patient did end up coming in who not only was a really, really sick neuro patient, but also had peritoneal dialysis. 00:45:35.199 --> 00:45:35.579 Mm-hmm. 00:45:35.899 --> 00:45:41.679 Which everybody in neuro, you know, neck up, they, they, they don't know how to take care of anything else. 00:45:42.159 --> 00:45:49.399 And there was definitely some toadstepping on the crime. 00:45:49.759 --> 00:45:49.939 Yeah. 00:45:50.219 --> 00:45:54.000 Nobody else could have taken care of this patient on the floor. 00:45:55.000 --> 00:45:55.439 Yeah. 00:45:55.440 --> 00:45:56.079 So. 00:45:56.460 --> 00:45:56.700 Yeah. 00:45:57.179 --> 00:45:57.420 Yeah? 00:45:57.740 --> 00:45:59.420 No, I, I definitely needed this. 00:45:59.460 --> 00:46:01.200 Yeah, well, I'm glad to hear that. 00:46:01.300 --> 00:46:03.240 Thanks so much for, for sharing that. 00:46:03.320 --> 00:46:04.139 It's an encouragement. 00:46:04.740 --> 00:46:05.440 These are brilliant. 00:46:06.000 --> 00:46:08.679 And I hope everything worked out well anyway with the, with the, yeah. 00:46:08.679 --> 00:46:09.519 Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:46:09.519 --> 00:46:09.679 Yeah. 00:46:09.940 --> 00:46:10.280 Yeah. 00:46:10.280 --> 00:46:11.960 We, we, we, we got the stuff going. 00:46:12.099 --> 00:46:12.440 Okay. 00:46:12.440 --> 00:46:12.539 Okay. 00:46:12.539 --> 00:46:12.840 Good. 00:46:12.840 --> 00:46:12.900 Good. 00:46:16.900 --> 00:46:16.980 Good. 00:46:16.980 --> 00:46:17.900 Good. 00:46:17.900 --> 00:46:18.900 Good. 00:46:18.900 --> 00:46:19.900 Good. 00:46:19.900 --> 00:46:20.480 Good. 00:46:20.480 --> 00:46:20.980 Good. 00:46:20.980 --> 00:46:21.480 Good. 00:46:21.480 --> 00:46:21.980 Good. 00:46:21.980 --> 00:46:22.480 Good. 00:46:22.480 --> 00:46:22.480 00:46:22.480 --> 00:46:22.980 Good. 00:46:22.980 --> 00:46:23.480 Good. 00:46:23.480 --> 00:46:23.980 Good. 00:46:23.980 --> 00:46:24.480 Good. 00:46:24.480 --> 00:46:24.480 00:46:24.480 --> 00:46:24.980 Good. 00:46:24.980 --> 00:46:25.420 Good.