What the VP of Coca-Cola Taught Me

Yesterday I went to an event at my church where Bonnie Wurzbacher, Vice President of Coca-Cola, came and spoke on "Finding Meaning in Your Work." It was truly inspirational and has changed many of my ideas about business.

For one, as a Christian, business seems so self-righteous... the goal is to make money. It just seems so greedy. In fact, that is one of the main reasons why I pushed against the idea of going into business. But, as always, God had different plans for my life, and here I find myself smack dab in the midst of marketing, advertising and selling... essentially motivating people to choose our service over the competition. But I love it. And in the past, my heart has struggled with the question... does providing Digital TV, broadband Internet and Digital Phone over an advanced fiber optic infrastructure really have meaning? Or is this just something that I do?

But, listen to what Bonnie has to say about business...

The role of business in God's kingdom is to advance the economic well-being of communities around the world, and as the only source of wealth creation, to enable every social, civic and spiritual institution to exist.

- Bonnie Wurzbacher

Wow! Essentially, without business, every other institution in this world would cease to exist... because they all rely on business for their wealth creation. Therefore, without business, say goodbye to churches. Say goodbye to non-profits, government, travel, sports, even aspects of your social life. Isn't that incredible?! I have never thought of business in that sense. But, it's true.

In fact, Bonnie spoke about how business is a calling in one's life. It requires the ability to do the job ("can do") the enjoyment of doing the job ("want to") and the discernment that this is where God wants you ("led to"). I've never really thought of business as a calling. I mean, I've heard of people getting called to... say, Africa. Or Vietnam. But business? Well, why not?

As discussed above, without business, every institution would pretty much cease to exist. Therefore, why wouldn't God place a calling on individuals to go into business and not only be an ethical part of the solution, but also be people capable of continuing to create wealth so that every other institution will continue to flourish and prosper as well? Genesis 1:27-28 - sometimes called the cultural mandate - calls us to be fruitful, fill the earth and subdue it... or essentially, create cultures and build civilizations. And that's ultimately what business advocates and creates room for. Business functions to build and support cultures and civilizations so that they continue to grow and flourish. Now that's what I call meaningful!

In addition, I learned that it is important to view our jobs with a macro (not micro) perspective.

For example, I create advertising materials for my company. I could sit down one morning and be discouraged that I'm simply creating another direct mail piece... again... that may only irritate and possibly discourage a potential customer from choosing our service. I mean, it's only the Internet. Right?

OR

I can sit down every day and remember that by promoting our services, I am essentially helping people all over the nation remain connected with each other and information around the world that will help them grow in meaningful relationships with one another. Relationships are important. In fact, I would argue that they are the most important thing in this world and what we were primarily created for: to have relationship with our God and each other. Therefore, my job allows me to positively impact and provide a platform in which people can connect all around the world through television (where people collect information and learn about cultures around the world), Digital Phone (allowing people to connect with one another and build relationships through continued communication) and the Internet (where people can remain connected with each other in real time through email, social networks and the like as well as the ability to find useful information to help them grow and reach their goals).

Those two perspectives are completely different. There's a big "who cares?" in the first, but much meaning and purpose in the other.

Do you lend micro or macro thinking to your job? Do you see business as a calling? I, for one, am beginning to.

Thank you, Bonnie Wurzbacher, for you words of wisdom yesterday.

My Heart

If we are to be disciples of Jesus, we must be made disciples supernaturally. And as long as we consciously maintain the determined purpose to be His disciples, we can be sure that we are not disciples. Jesus says, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you..." (John 15:16). That is the way the grace of God begins. It is a constraint we can never escape; we can disobey it, but we can never start it or produce it ourselves. We are drawn to God by a work of His supernatural grace, and we can never trace it back to find where the work began. Our Lord's making of a disciple is supernatural. He does not build on any natural capacity of our at all. God does not ask us to do the things that are naturally easy for us - He only asks us to do the things that we are perfectly fit to do through His grace, and that is where the cross we must bear will always come.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

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I've never felt sorrow and joy so completely intertwined before. But I have for the last month or so... every day...

Its almost as if my heart feels the strain of this world... the cry of misplaced hope... the need for love and the feeling of failure. But then, the dichotomy of Hope leans right up against it too. The Hope of knowing and trusting in Jesus. The understanding that what is lost can be found... and is found. And although my feeble attempts often land me in the midst of "failure" (whatever that means), the Hope and Joy in my heart begins to fix me little by little. And I wish others would know this Truth too...

Oswald Chamber wrote, "He only asks us to do the things that we are perfectly fit to do through His grace, and that is where the cross we must bear will always come." Oh how my heart feels heavy when I read that! For the sorrow and pain in my soul reminds me that my life is messy... and this world has left fingerprints on my heart... but I somehow trust (I am left needing to trust) that the Joy and Hope that lives within me will outlast and transform the grime. It is what makes me whole. It calls me. Pushes me. Asks me to be something I don't think I can be. And I can't on my own. In my weakness he lifts my heavy heart to His and whispers ever so severely - and sweetly - that His strength can be sufficient. Rest in me. Rest under my wings and be loved by your Father who loves you. And oh, He does. He loves so utterly and completely that it almost hurts my heart... because it is so profound and real and... there.

Perhaps that is why my heart seems so heavy and joyful right now. Because His love is in the midst of my weakness... and perhaps, for right now at least, it is sustaining me. And all I can do is lean into it. Because me heart is so weak. It's always been weak. For I am simply a human trying to make some sense in this world. But He is filling my heart with Joy... And I am trying.

The Maker

I haven't really known what to write about lately... so I haven't written anything.

I guess I'll just leave you with this... Dave Matthews' "The Maker"

Remember, you're not a stranger in the hands of the Maker.