In a recent post on Worthwhile magazine's blog, David Batstone noted:
Prepare yourself for a shocking expose: Scores of your colleagues are bringing God to work every day.
That idea might scare some of you given how polarized religion has become in our time. Fear not. The vast majority of spiritual seekers are not out to convert or condemn you. Some of your colleagues are looking to God for wisdom, others turn to God for comfort or courage, and yet others find God in the connections they make with others.
As a person of faith, I guess I take this for granted but as I think about not only my colleagues at Mercer Capital but colleagues outside of Mercer Capital in all walks of life, the fact that for most, God is real and is important in and to their lives is just a part of who they are.
An increasing number of individuals are attending theological seminary as a training camp to prepare for their vocational journey. They view theology and ethics as a solid foundation for jobs in business, health care, social work, journalism - you name it, the range is wide. Only half of those completing a Masters in Divinity now join the clergy, according to data cited in the story, down 10 to 15 percentage points in the last five years alone.
Again, not a surprise. In this materialistic and fast-paced world, many of us long for something greater than ourselves -- a firm foundation from which to live and speak. As a Christian, I try to follow Mother Teresa's advice: "Take Jesus with you wherever you go."
Remember that you are the same person at work as you are at home and at play. We work to live, not the other way around. Don't segment your life. Take some time to think about your priorities and if they are out of line, fix them. Time is precious. If you don't already have one, find your firm foundation.
Enough preachin' ... have a great weekend,
Barbara Walters Price
Truer words were never spoken, Barbara. One thing is for sure, I've never seen a U-Haul trailer hooked to the back of a hearse. It's not what we accumulate in this life that counts, but what we send on ahead...heavenly treasures.
Posted by: Paul Chaney | April 07, 2006 at 01:18 PM