Last week, I told you story of my old neighbour who helped build a deck. He nicely represented the transition from strangers to neighbours to acquaintances to partners. Today we’ll go one step further. We’ll talk about becoming friends with those we work with, those we help, and those we live around.
When I was a volunteer paramedic, I remember one partner in particular. We did several shifts together, and on calls he was always nervous, and second-guessing himself, which could be challenging to work with. One day, he invited me to supper. I met his family, saw his home and farm, and in the process learned about him and his values. The next shift we had together was different. I found we could communicate better, and I could anticipate his moves. Debriefing the call afterwards was easier. I knew this quirks, where they came from, and could work from a place of partnership and friendship rather than tolerance.
This has wider application than the workplace, but some good examples of how important this is follow from a few studies:
50 percent of employees with a best friend at work reported that they feel a strong connection with their company, compared to just 10 percent of employees without a best friend at work. (A 2012 Gallup report which found that)
People planning to stick with their current job cited “good relationship with co-workers” as the major reason (67%) – above “job satisfaction” (63%), “flexible working arrangements” (57%) and even salary (which ranked seventh at 46%). A 2013 survey of 2,223 business people across Australia
In the same way, being a follower of Jesus isn’t just about doing transactions, like dealing with other followers of Jesus because you have to, or caring for others in need simply because it looks good.
We’re actually meant to become friends with those we care for, and those we care with. Not every single one to the same degree maybe, but we are actually meant to have a relationship with those we encounter in this life, and not simply use people or tolerate others.
We’ll focus this week on those we care for, those we’ve been talking about all along, and becoming friends.
Question: When have you unexpectedly “hit it off” with someone at work?
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CloseRyan Sim - May 15, 2014
Thursday - Act On It - Pioneer Spirit
We’re exploring this week how Jesus sent his followers on a difficult, impossible mission to share his good news with the entire world. He gave them some real, tangible help, by sending the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was evident through the sound of rushing wind, the appearance of flames over their heads, and the speaking of languages they had never spoken before. Each of these are “things” – wind, fire, languages and that makes it tempting to refer to the Holy Spirit as “it”. But Christians have long insisted the Holy Spirit is a someone – and refer to the Holy Spirit as “He”. Technically He is called a “person” of the Trinity, as in someone with a personality, someone we can know. The Trinity is the Christian belief that there is one God, who relates to us in three persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. That means this was no mere magic trick. This was the arrival of a living and active presence in their lives. They had just been introduced to their guide for life on Jesus’ mission. At various times in my life I’ve come up with grand ideas about my future, but have always turned to the Holy Spirit for guidance first. I don’t want to be driven by ambition, or fear, or money or power or anything but the Holy Spirit of God. That means times of waiting, like the disciples did here. They could have plowed ahead with some great ideas on how to get their message to the people. But they waited for the Holy Spirit to guide him, and he did it in a far better way than they could have imagined. People saw what happened and were amazed, and of course a few were skeptical too. You can be introduced to the Holy Spirit as well, and he can do amazing things through you too. Talk to God the Father. Jesus made that possible. Ask him to come into your heart through his Holy Spirit, to be your life coach, to guide and direct every step of your life towards accomplishing the reason God put you on this earth – to know and love him, and help others do the same. Ask him to give you the gifts you need to accomplish this mission – for those disciples it was language, but what is it for you? Challenge: Take some time to pray that prayer – ask the Holy Spirit of God to enter your life and guide your next steps. Commit to do this every day for a few weeks – to wait on the Holy Spirit to give you the gifts and guidance you need to accomplish Jesus’ mission.
Related Topics: Ascension, Early Church, Jesus, Pioneer | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio
From Series: "Pioneer Story"
We read through the Book of Acts as a Pioneer Story for the church.
More Messages From Ryan Sim...
Jesus Is...Alive - Thursday | March 31, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Alive - Wednesday | March 30, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Alive - Tuesday | March 29, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Alive - Monday | March 28, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Crucified - Thursday | March 24, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Crucified - Wednesday | March 23, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Crucified - Tuesday | March 22, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Crucified - Monday | March 21, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Forgiving - Thursday | March 17, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Forgiving - Wednesday | March 16, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Forgiving - Tuesday | March 15, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Forgiving - Monday | March 14, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Love - Thursday | March 10, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Love - Wednesday | March 9, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Love - Tuesday | March 8, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Love - Monday | March 7, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Worth Following - Thursday | March 3, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Worth Following - Wednesday | March 2, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Worth Following - Tuesday | March 1, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Worth Following - Monday | February 29, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Transfigured - Thursday | February 25, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Transfigured - Wednesday | February 24, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Transfigured - Tuesday | February 23, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Transfigured - Monday | February 22, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Rejected - Thursday | February 18, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Rejected - Wednesday | February 17, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Rejected - Tuesday | February 16, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Rejected - Monday | February 15, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is.... Teacher - Thursday | February 11, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is... Teacher- Wednesday | February 10, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is... Teacher - Monday | February 9, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is... Teacher - Monday | February 8, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is... Help - Thursday | February 4, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is... Help - Wednesday | February 3, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Worth Following - Wednesday | February 3, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is... Help - Tuesday | February 2, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is... Help - Monday | February 1, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is... Perfect - Thursday | January 28, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is... Perfect - Wednesday | January 27, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is... Perfect - Tuesday | January 26, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is.. Perfect - Monday | January 25, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is... God - Thursday | January 21, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is... God - Wednesday | January 20, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is... God - Tuesday | January 19, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus is... God - Monday | January 18, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Human - Thursday | January 14, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Human - Wednesday | January 13, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Human - Tuesday | January 12, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Jesus Is...Human - Monday | January 11, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Epiphany: New Learnings for the Wise - Friday | January 8, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Epiphany: New Learnings for the Wise - Thursday | January 7, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Epiphany: New Learnings for the Wise - Wednesday | January 6, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Epiphany: New Learnings for the Wise - Tuesday | January 5, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Epiphany: New Learnings for the Wise - Monday | January 4, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2015 - God Is...Holy - Thursday | December 31, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2015 - God Is...Encouraging - Wednesday | December 30, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2015 - EPIC: Noah - Tuesday | December 29, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
Best of 2015 - EPIC: Adam and Eve - Monday | December 28, 2015 | Extra | Watch | Listen | |
God Is...Here - Thursday | December 24, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Here - Wednesday | December 23, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Here - Tuesday | December 22, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Here - Monday | December 21, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Coming - Thursday | December 17, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Coming - Wednesday | December 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Coming - Tuesday | December 15, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Coming - Monday | December 14, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Faithful - Thursday | December 10, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Faithful - Wednesday | December 9, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Faithful - Tuesday | December 8, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Faithful - Monday | December 7, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Good - Thursday | December 3, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Good - Wednesday | December 2, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Good - Tuesday | December 1, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Good - Monday | November 30, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Powerful - Thursday | November 26, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Powerful - Wednesday | November 25, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Powerful - Tuesday | November 24, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Powerful - Monday | November 23, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Transformative - Thursday | November 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Transformative - Wednesday | November 18, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Transformative - Tuesday | November 17, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Transformative - Monday | November 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Encouraging - Thursday | November 12, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Encouraging - Tuesday | November 10, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Encouraging - Monday | November 9, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Speaking - Thursday | November 5, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Speaking - Wednesday | November 4, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Speaking - Tuesday | November 3, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Speaking - Monday | November 2, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Unfailing - Thursday | October 29, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Unfailing - Wednesday | October 28, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Unfailing - Tuesday | October 27, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Unfailing - Monday | October 26, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Worthy - Thursday | October 22, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Worthy - Wednesday | October 21, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Worthy - Tuesday | October 20, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Worthy - Monday | October 19, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...One - Thursday | October 15, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...One - Tuesday | October 14, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...One - Wednesday | October 14, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...One - Monday | October 12, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Holy - Friday | October 9, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Holy - Wednesday | October 7, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Holy - Tuesday | October 6, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Holy - Monday | October 5, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Patient - Friday | October 2, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Patient - Thursday | October 1, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Patient - Wednesday | September 30, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Patient - Tuesday | September 29, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Patient - Monday | September 28, 2015 | Waterworks | Watch | Listen | |
God Is...Saviour - Friday | September 25, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Saviour - Thursday | September 24, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Saviour - Wednesday | September 23, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Saviour - Tuesday | September 22, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Saviour - Monday | September 21, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Generous - Friday | September 18, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Generous - Thursday | September 17, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Generous - Wednesday | September 16, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Generous - Tuesday | September 15, 2015 | Watch | Listen | ||
God Is...Generous - Monday | September 14, 2015 | Watch | Listen |