Removing Dragon Skins
Although our outer selves (our visible actions and audible words) reflect the reality of our (invisible) inner lives, our inner selves are not transformed simply by focusing on superficial appearances. Transformation requires getting at the heart, which only God can do. Yet, though the transformational work can only be done by God, and not by our own willpower, we are called both to surrender to that work and to participate in it, which may prove painful as well as joyful. In the imagery of C.S. Lewis, it took the claws of Aslan to remove Eustace’s dragon skin.
Read Article Manage Your Hungers, Part 1
It seems clear that one of the first steps toward managing our hungers is knowing them, and this requires intentional inner work. Physical hunger makes itself plainly and easily known. Emotional hungers, however, may be less obvious. They may be more layered and elusive.
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The Purpose of Life for Leaders
The De Pree Center produces _Life for Leaders _because we want you to experience the life of God both now and in the future. We’re motivated by what Jesus once said, “The thief comes only to steal and to destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). We want to you grow in your relationship with God through Christ so that you experience abundance in every part of life, including your leadership. Whether you lead in business or education, in arts or government, in profit or non-profit contexts, in church or family, in the studio or the athletic field, we want you to experience God’s life so that your leadership might reflect the values, truths, and love of God.
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God’s Work and Your Work
As you begin a new year, it’s good to remember that your work matters to God. Moreover, as you work, God is working in you and through you and with you. Psalm 90 shows that God will help your work to prosper. This is true for all sorts of work, not just that for which you are paid. Yes, God will help you to prosper in your job (or jobs). But God will also join you in the work of parenting, grandparenting, caregiving, volunteering, and serving. If you’re a young, stay-at-home parent, God will bless your work. If you’re a retired third thirder, God has a purpose for your life and can prosper the work you do in retirement. Thus, with the psalm writer, we pray, “O prosper the work of our hands!”
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God is Still God Today
On the first day of 2024, we don’t know what lies ahead in this year. Sure, we have our expectations and hopes. But we also feel the uncertainties in our lives and in the world around us. We could easily become afraid. But if God is our refuge and strength, and if God is our very present help in trouble, then we will not fear no matter what happens. God is still God today. God is still our Wisdom, our Guide, our Healer, our Protector, our King, and our Savior.
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The Love of God on Christmas Eve
The De Pree Center produces _Life for Leaders _because we want you to experience the life of God both now and in the future. We’re motivated by what Jesus once said, “The thief comes only to steal and to destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). We want to you grow in your relationship with God through Christ so that you experience abundance in every part of life, including your leadership. Whether you lead in business or education, in arts or government, in profit or non-profit contexts, in church or family, in the studio or the athletic field, we want you to experience God’s life so that your leadership might reflect the values, truths, and love of God.
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Reflecting on God’s Word
According to Psalm 119, if we hide God’s Word in our hearts we will be enabled not to sin. Psalm 1 expands considerably on the rewards of meditating on God’s Word. Not only are those who do so happy, but also, “They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper” (Psalm 1:3). When we reflect on God’s Word, letting it fill our hearts and minds as it guides our lives, we will live fruitfully and resiliently.
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Reflecting on God’s Creation
Psalm 8 invites us to reflect on God’s creation of all things, including human beings. Compared to the grandeur of the universe, we are small and seemingly insignificant. But God has created us in God’s own image and entrusted to us the care of creation. The more we reflect on what God has created, the more we are led to exult, “O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
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Thanks Helps You Think!
Our gratitude is a fitting response to who God is – a God of steadfast love – and what God has done – wonderful works. Yet as we focus on God and express our thanks in prayer, we receive even more grace. Our brains are strengthened. Our thanks helps us think!
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It’s Time for Thinksgiving
If you can make time on Thanksgiving Day for reflection and gratitude, that’s great. By all means do it. But if you’re anticipating a busy Thursday, let me suggest that you find another time this week for reflection. Think about your life and your blessings. Think about how God has been gracious to you, especially during this past year. Let your thinking lead you to thanking. By all means, thank God for the gifts you’ve received. But you may also want to thank people who have made a difference in your life. Nothing warms the heart on Thanksgiving Day more than expressions of gratitude. Yes, gratitude brings even more joy than steaming turkey!
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Reflection, Confession, New Creation
The Psalms invite us into prayerful self-reflection. Sometimes they help us to see ourselves as “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). At other times, however, the Psalms reveal the less-savory parts of ourselves. They summon us to reflect upon our sinfulness. But that’s not the end result. Rather, such honest reflection leads to confession and then to new creation based on God’s steadfast love and mercy.
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Self-Reflection and the Prayer of Examen
An article in Harvard Business Review recommends self-reflection for leaders who seek to excel in their work. What they recommend is curiously similar to the centuries-old Prayer of Examen, a Christian practice of daily, prayerful self-reflection. If you’d like to become more self-reflective, perhaps you’ll find the Prayer of Examen to be helpful.
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An Even More Amazing Kind of Reflection
The fact that human beings can engage in self-reflection is amazing. This is part of what makes us wonderful. But more amazing still is the fact that God knows everything about us. Nothing about us is hidden from God. This could be a terrifying thought were it not for the grace of God in Christ, which invites us into God’s presence and receives us with mercy.
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Reflecting on the Wonder of You
According to Psalm 139, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Our minds and bodies are intricate and beautiful. This is true even though sin has warped the goodness of God‘s creation. When we reflect on the wonder of our creation, we don’t glorify ourselves. Rather, we glorify and adore the God who created us.
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Creation Made to Frolic
Even as God created a world in which work is good, God also wove play and delight into the fabric of creation. Surely play and delight is good for me also, and it even reflects something of the nature of the God whom we worship who fashioned all creation. We worship a God who delights in play, and who made a universe where work is balanced not only by rest, but by the need to frolic.
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