June 20, 2023 • Life for Leaders
Scripture — Psalm 133:1-2 (NRSV)
How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.
Focus
It’s not uncommon to hear stories of conflict in workplaces. Getting along with others is always a challenge, especially when we face external assaults such as a lagging economy or a global pandemic. Thus, when people at work experience genuine unity, this is indeed a gift to celebrate.
Prelude
Psalm 133:2 draws from the biblical story of the installation of Aaron as Israel’s first high priest. In Leviticus 8:12-14, Moses anointed Aaron and his sons, authorizing them for their priestly role within Israel. Moses used elegant, specially-prepared anointing oil that was pungent with spices (Exodus 30:23-25). According to Psalm 133, he did not use the oil sparingly but poured it generously on Aaron’s head so that it ran down his beard and onto his clothing. For Israel, this moment was a powerful symbol of God’s work among them.
Pray
Gracious God, today I thank you for how things are going at work. Sometimes, of course, we struggle to work well together. We can be overly competitive or too focused on ourselves to think about others. But, these days, we are working wonderfully as a team. We encourage each other and find ways to celebrate each other’s successes. When we don’t agree about something, we somehow manage to talk it through civilly so that we might find a good solution. Our boss is leading us wisely, giving direction as needed but also giving us freedom to be creative and to excel in our particular ways.
Thank you, dear Lord, for the unity we’re enjoying in this season. Thank you for the joy of genuine collaboration. Thank you for giving us colleagues with whom we enjoy working. Thank you for the privilege of watching our co-workers grow in their capabilities. Thank you for your gracious blessing upon us! Amen.
Ponder Throughout the Day
Unity in the workplace is a precious gift. When you experience it, be sure to enjoy it and to thank the Lord.
For Further Reflection
Read all of Psalm 133.
You might also read 1 Corinthians 13, considering its relevance to your workplace.
Banner image by James Lee on Unsplash.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the High Calling archive, hosted by the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: A Pleasure We Need Today.
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Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders, and the founder of the De Pree Center’s Flourishing in the Third Third of Life Initiative. Previously, Mark was the Executive Director of the De Pree Center, the lead pastor of a church in Southern California, and the Senior Director of Laity Lodge in Texas. He has written eight books, dozens of articles, and over 2,500 devotions that help people discover the difference God makes in their daily life and leadership. With a Ph.D. in New Testament from Harvard, Mark teaches at Fuller Seminary, most recently in his D.Min. cohort on “Faith, Work, Economics, and Vocation.” Mark is married to Linda, a marriage and family counselor, spiritual director, and executive coach. Their two grown children are educators on the high school and college level.
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