May 2024

The number 840 may not mean much at first glance, but it holds valuable lessons about diligence and consistency. The number itself isn’t what’s important; rather, it could serve for today, as a symbol of how small, consistent efforts add up over time. When you work diligently day after day, your efforts compound, leading to significant progress. For the 840th time, we’re publishing the Watching the World daily devotional. 840 seems cooler than 27 or 95. But if you don’t start with 27 or 95, you won’t be able to produce number 840.

Nothing happens with a mission unless someone understands the value of getting to work and staying consistent. If one is able to articulate a mission statement, and then commit to turn up every single day, those efforts will compound. Think about the humble beginnings of many of today’s global corporations and ministries. It begins with someone showing up every day to push their agenda. That’s how Christianity spread around the world. That is how Facebook became a worldwide phenomenon. First, the seed of an idea appears in the mind. Then you get feedback, and you get started. With consistency over time, the idea grows into a mighty tree.

Shakespeare is frequently cited as the source of the famous quote “Consistency, thou art a jewel.” It demonstrates that even the smallest actions, when repeated consistently, can result in remarkable outcomes and long-term change. If the Lord wills, we will someday witness the publication of the 8,400th entry in this daily devotional. At that point, it would be difficult to reconcile the current situation with the potential for the future. You must reflect and decide on the single, central mission you will represent every day. Determine what daily activity best supports that mission. Begin with a small project and gradually expand. It grows in importance with consistency.

You could create the sickest mission statement imaginable, and it would mean nothing. There are numerous pie-in-the-sky mission statements that are not achieving anything on the face of the earth due to low or no productivity. A grand mission statement is just that; it does not necessarily produce results or change the world. There is productivity and then, there is activity. This is not the same thing. You can appear to be busy for 45 years while accomplishing nothing. Your mission will fail if you do not do the necessary things.

Our Lord Jesus did not simply declare his mission statement without acting on it every day. He emphasized that he came to serve, not be served (Matthew 20:28). We must carry out the work that is consistent with our mission statement. Working hard enough to achieve objective productivity. It is easy to get distracted away from the core assignment. And one begins to do things that don’t even make sense. There must be some useful, real-world metric that can be used to assess the mission statement’s effectiveness and impact.

Just like Jesus, who diligently fulfilled His mission, we must commit to our tasks with urgency and dedication. He said in John 9:4, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work.” This reminds us that our time to make an impact is limited. It’s not enough to have a grand mission statement; we must back it up with consistent, meaningful actions. If you focus on real-world results and stay true to your purpose, you can ensure that your efforts lead to genuine and lasting change.

Your creative juice is useless without structure, discipline, and feedback in the form of mentorship. You must consciously structure your life to maximize your spiritual gifts and creativity. If you approach your spiritual gifts and creativity in a spontaneous manner, the results will be inconsistent and erratic. All you’ll have to show for your gift will be a bunch of abandoned projects. There is a tendency to jump from one thing to another. You need to understand the need for processes and policies to help you make the most of what God has blessed you with.

The last thing we want as gifted and creative people is constraints, policies, and discipline. Yet, that is exactly what we need to thrive. Paul’s relationship with Timothy serves as an excellent example. Paul encouraged Timothy to fan his gifts into flames, urging him to maintain a disciplined approach to his spiritual calling (2 Timothy 1:5-7). This provided Timothy with the structure and feedback necessary to develop his gifts fully. Read through Paul’s entire letter to Timothy, and you will see a master giving guidance and insights to a younger brother trying to find his way.

Our spiritual gifts can really blossom when we are willing to submit to mentorship and receive such focused guidance. For spiritual gifts to become productive, they must be nurtured with structure, discipline, and feedback. Structure provides a framework to channel our creativity effectively. Discipline ensures we remain committed to our growth and the consistent use of our gifts. Feedback from mentors and peers helps refine our abilities, ensuring we stay on the right path. Embracing these principles may feel restrictive initially, but they are essential for unlocking the full potential of the talents God has given us.

If you want to make a lasting impact in the world, understanding how things work is essential. This involves recognizing the importance of submission and cooperation with others. True change often requires us to cooperate with, complement, or submit to someone else’s leadership or expertise. Building relationships with those ahead of you, submitting to the wisdom of elders, cooperating with peers, and complementing the efforts of others are crucial steps toward achieving meaningful outcomes. By embracing these principles, we can navigate the complexities of our world more effectively and make a positive difference.

The Bible places a high emphasis on submission and humility. We are instructed to submit to the elders in 1 Peter 5:5-7. A command that everyone acts in a humble manner towards one another. The significance of humility in our relationships with God and other people is emphasized in this passage. We make ourselves open to development, education, and ultimately exaltation in God’s time by humbling ourselves and yielding to those who possess greater experience or wisdom. To avoid the abuse of submission, the Bible is clear that we should only submit to those we believe to be submitted to Christ.

Learning to share this blue-green planet with others is non negotiable. We have to embrace humility and foster cooperation anywhere we find ourselves. When we submit to the guidance of those wiser than us, cooperate with our peers, and complement the efforts of others, we create a harmonious and productive environment. It requires you to let go of pride and embrace a spirit of humility, recognizing that you are part of a larger community. By doing so, you align yourself with God’s grace and care, allowing Him to work through you to bring about positive change.

Stewardship is not merely about managing resources; it’s a profound expression of trust between us and God. When we faithfully steward what God has entrusted to us—our time, talents, and treasures—we demonstrate our trust in His provision and His wisdom. Matthew 25:14-30 tells the Parable of the Talents, where servants were entrusted with their master’s wealth. The servants who managed their talents wisely were commended, while the one who buried his talent out of fear was punished. This parable illustrates that God values your proactive and faithful management of what He has given you. Your stewardship reflects your faith in His plans and purposes.

In our daily lives, our approach to stewardship reveals the depth of our relationship with God. It is easy to get carried away with our personal needs and ambition. Ignoring the eternal purpose for the things we’ve been given. But when we use our gifts to serve others, invest our time in meaningful pursuits, and handle our finances with integrity, we honor God and build His kingdom. The closer you draw to God, the more you realize what it means to serve God with your talents and your substance. You can not serve your world with your talents unless you have absolute trust in God.

True stewardship requires us to let go of our ego and control, acknowledging that we are merely caretakers of God’s blessings. This can be challenging, especially in a world that promotes self-reliance and ownership. However, by entrusting our resources to God’s will and seeking His wisdom in our decisions, we deepen our relationship with Him. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” As you align your stewardship with God’s purposes, you will experience a deeper trust and a more intimate relationship with your Creator.

The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 4:9, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.” This highlights the power of collaboration. One person can achieve a lot, but together, we can accomplish much more. Imagine this: one person can chase a thousand, but two can chase ten thousand. By this same logic, three can chase a hundred thousand, and four can chase millions. When we work together, our efforts multiply. Your business or God-given mission will yield better results when you understand the importance of collaboration. Working with others amplifies your impact and leads to greater success.

Imagine your personal capacity as being able to build a small hut with 100 blocks. Alone, you can create something useful, but limited in scale. Now, think about what happens when you join forces with others. Instead of just building huts, each person contributes their fair share of time, energy, and resources towards constructing a skyscraper. By working together, you can create something far more impressive and impactful than you ever could on your own. This analogy shows that you can use your efforts to build something small, or you can collaborate with others to achieve something truly extraordinary.

To truly embrace collaboration, you must set aside ego and pride. Humble yourself and recognize that your name doesn’t need to be on the billboard. A true visionary values progress and the completion of the mission over personal recognition. While it’s important to be cautious of those who might exploit your efforts, collaborating with others generally yields greater results than working alone. You don’t always have to start your own venture; joining forces with others can lead to greater success and fulfillment. Remember, it’s not about who gets the credit, but about making a meaningful impact together.

Jesus commanded us to do the works of Him who sent him while it is still day (John 9:4-5). We do this by ensuring that our daily lives contribute in some way to God’s overall purpose. However, this work of God is not limited to “church” or “nonprofit” activities. Your business can be a vehicle for your God-given mission. A platform that allows you to watch your world and steer it towards a better future. We can approach business in a way that solves pressing issues while running a successful business around it.

If you want to change the world, start your own business. Big businesses and governments wield enormous power in today’s world. They set the agenda and decide what is possible. Christians cannot continue to cower in their churches while claiming to be the light of the world. This would be self-deceptive on some level. If you want to set the agenda in your world, build a big and influential business. Owning a business or holding a key position in a large corporation empowers you to protect “kingdom” interests in that industry.

The most effective way to address any of the world’s major problems today, including spiritual blindness, selfish leadership, illiteracy, poverty, and disease is by running a business. Creating a healthy business to address any of these issues indicates that you have something sustainable. The mission is more likely to run smoothly. And because it is a profitable operation, your daily needs and expenses can also be met. You will not be dependent on donations, making it easier to expand your mission. As the business grows, the mission touches the lives of more people. Creating a mission-driven business is the ideal platform for your life’s work.

Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS shoes, embarked on a unique journey that led to the creation of a global movement. After exploring various ventures and even competing on reality TV, he took a “sabbatical” in Argentina to learn polo. There, he encountered a woman delivering shoes to impoverished children, which deeply impacted him. Witnessing the joy and gratitude of those who received shoes inspired him to take action. However, instead of relying on donations, he pioneered a unique for-profit model. He created the One for One® model. For every shoe bought, they would give one to someone that really needed a shoe.

Thus, TOMS was born, with the simple but powerful mission of providing shoes to those in need. Mycoskie’s encounter in Argentina sparked a desire in him to make a real difference in people’s lives. He realised that he could make an impact through his ventures in addition to making money. He realized that even the simplest acts of kindness, like providing a pair of shoes, could have a profound impact. Moved by this revelation, he transformed his vision into a sustainable business model. TOMS became synonymous with social responsibility, demonstrating how a business can prioritize profit while simultaneously giving back to society.

Mycoskie’s journey with TOMS challenges us to rethink traditional approaches to philanthropy and business. It demonstrates that making a positive impact doesn’t require running a nonprofit organization. Instead, it shows that businesses can be a force for good by integrating social responsibility into their core mission. It also highlights what’s possible when you are open to ideas and other perspectives with regards to your mission. Do not be pig headed and cling tightly to your point of view. There are many innovative models like TOMS’ buy-one, give-one concept that could make a difference in your work. You just need some humility to get all the help you can get.

Ten people working on the same vision and mission would express it in ten distinct ways. Each person brings their unique skills and knowledge to the table. This diversity shapes the mission in distinct ways, leading to varied outcomes. Your mission is spiritual, and it comes from a place that is beyond time and space. Flesh and blood did not set you on that mission. But the manifestation of your mission will always be constrained by your level of knowledge, exposure, and skill set. We are all working together here on earth to establish the kingdom of God within our own circle of influence.

In the book of Judges, we encounter various leaders, each tasked with the same mission: delivering Israel from oppression. Despite the shared goal, their approaches and outcomes differ significantly. For instance, Gideon, initially hesitant and lacking confidence, required divine reassurance before embarking on his mission. Gideon then went on to raise an army. In contrast, Samson was strong and mighty from day one. He never thought he needed an army. Also consider Deborah, who demonstrated strong leadership and strategic prowess from the start. She didn’t raise an army directly, delegating that duty to someone else. These stories underscore how individual knowledge, skills, and circumstances shape mission outcomes.

Your current results or lack of, reflect your present understanding. They reflect your upbringing and circumstances. If you desire greater results, look to others pursuing similar missions. Learn from their approaches, strategies, and experiences. Their insights can expand your understanding and skill set, empowering you to make a more significant impact in your own endeavors. Collaboration and learning from others are key to unlocking new possibilities and achieving success in your mission. By studying the approaches and experiences of others, we gain insights into navigating challenges and leveraging strengths to achieve our own missions effectively.

The Renaissance encompasses a period of history known for its advancements in art, literature, science, and philosophy, as well as a renewed interest in classical learning and human potential. The most significant shift in thinking that enabled the Renaissance was the recognition that mankind’s sole purpose was not to die and go to heaven. There is so much we could do on this side. The word “Renaissance” means rebirth. The Renaissance person is not just born again in a spiritual sense. They are creative, productive, and understand how to create value.

In modern terms, being a “Renaissance person” entails embodying the qualities of creativity, productivity, and value creation in all aspects of life. You understand that the purpose of your creativity and spiritual gifts is to make a real difference in your community. The fruit of the spirit and the gifts of the spirit combine to create an intelligence within you. This creative intelligence can have an impact on culture, business, the economy, and governance. This is what Pharaoh, King of Egypt, saw in Joseph, and he gave Joseph the keys to his kingdom (Genesis 41:38-41).

It is time for you to start striving for excellence in a variety of fields. Maximize your talents and skills to make a significant difference. Whether through art, innovation, or entrepreneurship in the fields of family, religion, education, media, arts and entertainment, business, and government. Strive to leave a lasting legacy that will benefit the world around you. This approach necessitates a comprehensive mindset that transcends traditional boundaries and values diversity. The Renaissance person is not limited to one narrow path, but rather seeks multiple avenues for self-expression and growth. Understand that true fulfillment comes from embracing your passions and using your unique abilities to positively impact society.