1 Thessalonians 1:3a
3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith....
The original Greek word here for 'work' is more about day-to-day duties and 'tasks' (the daily grind) than it is about high-profile activity. Not to stretch spiritual meaning here too far, but
simply put, as leaders and managers we need to acknowledge and appreciate the little things that our less prominent or less visible people do. Apart from giving thanks for them, recognizing when people give more of themselves and go beyond the norm in the day-to-day grind is vital to personal and organizational health. Not all workers are superstars. Not everyone is a 'high-potential' (Hi-Po). But a big part of an organization's fabric are the 'nuts-and-bolts people' who do their jobs day-in, day-out…faithfully.
Appreciation, positive feedback, constructive advice...all cost very little, except for some time, thought and sincerity. Paul connected with his people by never forgetting that they live the faith in the midst of the daily struggles of life. And that they still produce, still complete the tasks, still get on with doing their jobs - and still go home and care for a family, serve the community, look after a sick relative, wrestle with family crises...or even work another job so they can pay off their student loan or their mortgage more quickly. It means a lot to people when we do this - when we take the time to appreciate them. This demonstrates that we place value on them as people...because...well, we do! (or should)
PRAYER ACTION
Pray about the small things you neglect or put off or let drift until they mount up and overwhelm you - those nuisance 'tasks'. Pick two of them. Now do them 'as unto the Lord'. Don't make any more good intention promises, just do them! Prayerfully make a list of the people who report to you and who depend on you; and of colleagues who you depend on to do your job effectively - the 'little', unsung, and often unnoticed people. Against their names make note of the small, and perhaps seemingly unimportant things they do. Give thanks for those things and those people. Send them a note or speak to them in the next week; speak a casual word of appreciation and thanks.
"Become the change you wish to see in the world."
(Mahatma Gandhi)
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