Where to Focus?
God on Monday
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Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow
(Isaiah 1.17)
Reflection
We recently underwent an annual audit in our business. It stimulated some discussion within the company about the standards by which we want to be measured. The auditor and I discussed the aims and focus of the business, and how best to facilitate positive organizational change.
The process reminded me that it is easy for people and organizations to lose their focus. Often this is simply due to distraction; we allow our schedules to get so full that we convince ourselves that our busyness must in itself be adding value. But all the while we may be failing to realize the true purpose of our work. We work hard but, in terms of the bigger picture, we are off-target.
The prophet Isaiah called out the pointless worship and routines that were being carried out in God’s name. The people were busy gathering offerings and making sacrifices but were missing God’s heart for the oppressed, the poor, widows, and orphans. Whilst the pious were offering elaborate worship, the disadvantaged were suffering terrible injustice. In missing God’s focus, those claiming to follow God were actually moving in the opposite direction.
Isaiah’s challenge is no less potent today. He asks us to do good and to seek justice for the oppressed and disadvantaged. That’s God’s focus. It needs to become ours.
Response
Where is God calling you to focus, in your various roles? Are there colleagues, or members of your community, that need your time, advocacy, training, or other forms of assistance? If your vision has become blurred, take time to refocus. If you are too busy, ask yourself what you want to be remembered for – frenetic work or effective service?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your heart for people others have forgotten. May our focus be such that we see those around us who are in need. May we use our roles to change lives for the better. Amen.
This Week's Author
Simon Park, Managing Director/Owner, Kidds Transport Ltd
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God on Monday is produced in partnership with the Church of England. The reflections are based on the scriptural readings designated for the coming Sunday in the Church's lectionary. You can sign up to Faith in Business here to receive each God on Monday instalment.
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