4 WHOLENESS MANAGEMENT

1 Thessalonians 1:1d

Grace and peace to you (cont'd)...

Peace (Heb. 'shalom') is much, much more than the ‘absence of conflict’ or the ‘presence of

inner calm’. Paul 'sent' them his desire for them to be complete, whole people. He 'sent' them 'shalom' - wishing for them to be Whole: body, mind, spirit. Whole: emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, relationally, and socially.

As ambassadors of peace, we bring (or should bring) 'shalom' to work with us. It was part of Eden Wholeness and happiness for man to have meaningful work to do - to know he is fulfilling a purpose under the watchful supervision and companionship of God (Tall order!) 

Real satisfaction in employment is part of the wholeness plan - meaning, purpose, belonging, direction...all are part of the Peace Message. As ambassadors of peace in all of life's contexts, including as leaders and managers at work, we are called to invest in, support and promote, the well-being of others and to help them grow and develop as people. Proactively! People need 'peace'...they long for 'peace', and we can be part of that wholeness, fulfillment Peace Mission.

We are called to 'live' peace and lead from a place of personal peace – with a Servant Heart of Grace. We are called to 'send' to others daily with our lives and with our words Grace and Peace - no-strings-attached acceptance and a giving of ourselves to make people whole. This is both honoring to God and (by the way) 'smart business'. And, yes I know, incredibly difficult! 

Our character, personal values, motivations, and vision will be sorely tested if we adopt this management or leadership 'posture'. We will need to learn conflict management and reconciliation skills - collaboration and influencing skills. We will need grace upon grace - and probably a personal sounding board-confidant - who will allow us to close the door and emotionally vent and stress out without recrimination or judgment. So, don't try to 'boil the ocean' and 'peace-ify' everyone. Find grace for the ones and twos. Boil a ‘teacup’ or two – start small.

PRAYER ACTION

Mentally run down the list of those you work with and those who report to you...is anyone showing signs of being hurt, broken, torn, bruised, battered or in turmoil? Name them before God. Pray for them for light, calm and healing, better focus and direction, greater harmony in relationships...and then ask God to show you what is within your sphere of influence to change or give them. Now go 'shlome' some people! Go to them and be part of the answer to your own prayer for them!

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life."

(St Francis of Assisi)