Dear Family and Friends,

One of the most influential writings in the early history of the New Hope Christian Fellowship church was Pastor Wayne’s book, Doing Church As A Team.

“Nearby, the drummer played the drums with his usual excellence. He seemed to be playing more with his heart than with drumsticks. That night I said to myself, Our drummer is preaching the gospel the best way he knows how—through his drums!

When I looked into the radiant faces of the choir, I saw many lives that had been recently transformed by the Lord’s grace, and I thought, Those wonderful people are all preaching the gospel the best way they know how—through their singing!”

Pastor Wayne then continued; the drama team, the ensemble, and all the others working behind the scenes – were all preaching the gospel through their particular gifts, passions and talents.

“At the end of a memorable program, I walked out onto the platform, picked up a microphone and wrapped up the evening with a simple presentation of the gospel. I, too, preached the gospel the best way I knew how, through my own gift.

But I wasn’t doing it alone. We were all doing it together! We were all preaching the gospel the best way we knew how—through our gifts.

Every single person had a part. I saw this event not merely as one but several hundred presentations of the gospel—all at the same time. That’s what made it so powerful!”

I have much respect for Pastor Wayne. So much so, I used his book to reset our church’s culture.

The message was inspiring. Many started serving at church again. Many rediscovered one of the best ways to find joy – by serving God.

So, how do we find joy in the dreary areas of our lives, like our workplaces?

Places where people are tough and take pleasure in turning work into a form of suffering.

Paul wrote Romans 8 to teach the church how to live through suffering, prosecutions and poverty.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
 
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
 
And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”  Romans 8:28-30 NIV

Here, Paul offers three principles for finding joy in suffering.

First, if we follow Jesus, our bad things will turn out for good.

What does – “God works for the good” – mean?

This is not a promise that God will provide us with better circumstances. Nor does this passage say that bad things are actually good.

This is a promise that God will take all our bad circumstances and work them for good effect in our lives.

Second, there is a purpose in suffering.

The passage – “he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” – hints at what God does with our bad circumstances.

“Jesus Christ did not suffer so that you would not suffer. He suffered so that when you suffer, you’ll become like him.”
Timothy Keller

What motivates us to change? More times than not, we change in response to bad circumstances. God is using those bad times to refine us and draw us closer to Him.

And third, our good things cannot be lost.

Take a look at these words from verse 30 – predestined, called, justified and glorified.

All these words are written in the past tense. Our glorification and conformance into the image of His Son is as good as done.

Let me close with this.

I ask that you take some time to reread Pastor Wayne’s quote above.

However, this time, imagine that you’re seeing this from God’s perspective – that the setting is not a church but workplaces, and the people are not just Christians but the entire human race.

One can almost hear God saying, “My children, this is a picture of what I had planned for you.

This is a picture of what awaits you when Jesus returns, with just one difference. Instead of preaching the Gospel, you will be praising Jesus.”

My friends, this is also a picture of the life God wants for us here and now. I pray you find joy in your workplace. 

In love always,