Pressed, but Not Crushed
Devotional week 18
Serving Jesus through our work can be immensely rewarding and profoundly stretching. There’s joy in knowing that our work carries eternal significance and the quiet fulfilment of being God’s ambassador where He is not known. We gain renewed strength when we align our skills with God’s mission. However, there are also moments when the pressure feels unrelenting, especially when we are doing all we can, yet the results remain invisible.
How can Jesus help you cope with injustice at work?
The most challenging work conflict I've ever encountered occurred while I was an expatriate in Central Asia. I experienced that my international leaders broke promises they had made. When I raised this issue, we engaged in a power struggle that undermined our crucial work to assist those in need. During our discussions, I sensed suspicion and was attributed motives that I did not possess. When we finally left our work in Central Asia a few years later, the organisation we had served was relieved to see us depart.
Persevering in Faith: Standing Firm in Trials
Devotional week 16
The dictionary defines perseverance as the continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition. It’s about staying committed and not giving up, even when the road gets tough.
But the Bible takes this concept to a higher level. In James 1:12, we see that persevering is more than simply enduring hardship – it means remaining faithful to God in the midst of trials and temptations. It reflects a kind of spiritual resilience, where we choose to trust and obey the Lord even in the face of pain, pressure, or adversity.
Keep Going: The Joy Ahead
Devotional week 15
The first time I went hiking, it felt like torture. Each step drained my energy, and I longed to return to the comfort of my room, away from the effort. Staying indoors was so much simpler—cozy, familiar, and without strain. Yet, I recognized that stepping outside, being active, and pushing my limits was ultimately beneficial for me.