I was spending time in Genesis eight and nine the other day which referred to Noah and the great flood. Noah, his family, and all of the creation that were spared from the flood came out of the ark. Noah built an altar to the Lord as a thank you for sparing them, providing for their time, and reconnecting the relationship between Creator God and man.
“And I will never again strike down every living thing as I have done” (Genesis 8:21) God made a covenant with Noah and all of mankind at that point. God created a sign for Him and every generation to see as a reminder of this covenant to never flood the earth again.
“And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all future generations: I have placed My bow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I form the clouds over the earth and the bow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and all the living creatures: Water will never again become a flood to destroy every creature. The bow will be in the clouds, and I will look at it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all the living creatures on the earth.’ God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I have confirmed between Me and every creature on the earth.” Genesis 9:12-17
So, what does this have to do with business or finances?
As I read these chapters, it made me think about the importance of keeping what we work for in the forefront of our minds. When we lose sight of the goals we are trying to achieve, our drive weakens, we procrastinate and move into a humdrum kind of mindset.
Christine Caine once said that she worked in a factory/office job. She hung a verse above her computer to remind her of what and who she was working for. It was Colossians 3:23:
“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.”
Majority of people are visual learners. We tend to be forgetful when we get caught up in day-to-day life. Even God Himself put a reminder before Him and people to see a rainbow and be reminded of His promise. God has a perfect memory. He hasn’t, nor will He ever, forget that promise. But He still sees the importance of having that sign there.
Michael and I have found our mortgage chart to be a valuable asset in keeping us motivated. It hangs on the side of our fridge in our kitchen. It’s at a central point in our house. We can be coming down the stairs, sitting in the living room, or standing in the bathroom and see the chart. We walk by it multiple times of the day. It’s surrounded by pictures/other visual reminders of people we are praying for. As we colour in the lines of the chart bit by bit, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness and what our financial goals are. It helps us stay motivated and sacrifice in the now in order to enjoy the future.
I have verses and sayings posted on the wall in my office that I frequently read. They are reminders of lessons I have recently learned that impacted me. They keep me focused and leaning on truth.
As you go to work each day, what reminders do you have around that keep you motivated in your job? As I read Genesis nine, it made me think about work. Every business should have a mission and vision statement. They should have their “why” written in something explaining the purpose to why they do what they do. Do you know what it is for your place of employment? Do you agree with it? Are you working based on that why or just to bring home a paycheck?
My challenge to you this month is to do some research. Why do you work where you do? What is your company’s mission and vision? Then think about a visual reminder you can put somewhere at work that keeps you focused on that cause. If you don’t mind your job, but you’re working with the company for other reasons, write your “why” down and put it up somewhere you can see it often.
What’s the point? If you want to thrive in your job and do well at it, it’s good for you to have a motivator in front of you. Like a good coach reminds a team what their goal is, this visual reminder helps you stay on point. It’ll help you to do better at your job. It’ll keep you from slacking off and procrastinating. It’ll give you purpose. In turn, you’ll be more productive, you’ll have a better attitude, and your boss will take notice.
This applies to people that are staying at home with children or are retired. What’s your purpose in being these roles? Is it to guide and teach your children? If you’re retired, is it to have the freedom to help others and spend more time with family?
Ultimately, you are supposed to be a faithful servant to the Lord in all that you do. I know you want to serve Him well, especially in your job. It’s where you potentially spend a good majority of your time. It’s what we as humans are supposed to do, whether it be in a field, an office, or with your own family. Wherever the Lord has placed you for this time of your life, serve Him well and remember that you are serving Him and not men. Do it with all your might. He will honour your diligent work.
“The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,
but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.”
Proverbs 21:5
