John 8:12 - Walking in the Light - Keeping it Simple
As I close out the year I’ve been rereading my favorite business book, Management, by Peter F. Drucker. It’s worth reading all year long. Drucker keeps it simple. Drucker tells us to constantly ask questions such as "What is our business?" and "What should our business be?" And then, "How's business?" Likewise, "Who is our customer?", "Where is our customer?", and "What does the customer buy?" And "How can we innovate to create new customer desires and demands?" Drucker tells the business leader that we must constantly test and retest our purpose and mission. And annually we must set objectives, develop strategies, concentrate resources, and get to work!
Drucker reminds us that business is a discipline. He tells the business leader to constantly make assessments of the theory of our business. He warns us of the danger of being arrogant and trusting in business models that most certainly will become obsolete. We must constantly evaluate the environment, mission, and core competencies of our business. Those areas must fit well and with brutal honesty be tested and retested.
I never met Drucker, but through his books, he's taught and mentored me. Drucker challenges us and warns us. If we don’t assess our businesses they will fail. No business is too big to fail. If we are disciplined we will be ready to respond constructively to the opportunities that will most certainly present themselves in the year ahead. He warns us to also be prepared to abandon every product, service, and policy that does not fit the updated theory of our business.
Drucker reminds us that the CEO is not a magician, guru, god, or savior. We are paid well to work hard and be conscientious. We are paid to lead by example. We are paid to constantly assess the market and to make reasoned objectives that translate into action items: work commitments through which our business purpose and mission are carried out. We must make tough calls for there is always a tension between competing objectives and picking concentrations for resources. From a Christian perspective, I see a lot of faith in action in Management. Anyway, if you haven’t dusted Management off the shelf in a while I encourage you to do so.
I’m a little slow, but as I get older, I’m starting to understand myself better. As we close out 2024, I chose not a long "Resolution" list but a short one. This year, I simply want to focus on the “D” word: discipline. I love the biblical principle of striving for perfection—let’s do that. But let’s keep it simple and be disciplined followers of Jesus Christ. Our Lord and King says, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12). Pray 2025 is a year for keep-it-simple Christian discipline and breakthrough growth. Let’s walk in the light daily.
The keep-it-simple approach is Christian. It’s the disciplined approach. The only way for us to be men worthy of Proverbs 31 women is to be disciplined. Let’s aim to be the mature men Paul describes in Titus 1:5-9. It will take disciplined faith in action, to desire the noble tasks God expects of His men (1 Timothy 3:1-13). Let’s find ways to motivate and mentor other men this year (and women please do the same). Ways to develop an eternal perspective, to be so much in Scripture that our minds are renewed and changed by truth. It's okay, nay, good, to be simple, honest, and content.
By God’s grace, it will be a great year of growth. May it also be a year of unity. One where we are constantly reminded that we are fellow citizens with God’s people - members of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19-20). But above all, I pray it is a year where we are known as having and acting with the love of God - for without love everything we do will be meaningless and useless (1 Corinthians 13:13).
It will be a year where we fail, but where we also help each other get back up - straight away. A year where we turn not to the left or the right, but keep our eyes ahead on God’s path as we follow Christ our King (Deuteronomy 4:40). And may it be a year where we care less about showing off our knowledge, but much more so being Christian with a clear conscience before God. A disciplined year is saturated in Scripture where we apply our hearts to God’s instruction and our ears to Jesus’ words of wisdom (Proverbs 23:12).
I’m so thankful for this last year; it’s been a good year of growth. As we get older it’s interesting what matters more and what we are more certain of. I’m crystal clear certain that I’m a sinner in need of a Savior. I’m much less concerned now with building Bell Enterprises than I was in my 30s or 40s - being a boss man is just not appealing. Instead, I want to be a good example for my wife, my children, and my friends. I’m also more certain than ever that Jesus is the Savior of the world and that when he was born in Bethlehem He was the promised Messiah. He is the descendent of King David prophesied in 2 Samuel 7 and 8.
You know, when I first became a Christian and started reading the Bible I read the Book of Matthew. I put a “G” anywhere that implicity or explicitly said Jesus was doing or saying something that only God could do. I was shocked at how many Gs I wrote down. Jesus is God I have no doubt. What amazes me more now is that Jesus was sent from God and that Jesus was also fully man. Sent to die on the cross to pay for my sins. And yours. Jesus lived a simple and disciplined life. He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us live our lives. By His grace, we will walk in the light and follow Jesus this year.
Lord Jesus, please help us to trust in You alone this year and walk in integrity guided by Your light. Amen.
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