What's Different About You?

What’s Different About You?

by

Charles Ligon

Caleb did everything he could to prove his love, but nothing worked until Catherine saw that something had profoundly changed within him. She finally went to Caleb and said, “Something has changed in you Caleb and I want what’s happened to you to happen to me.” Sound familiar? This is a quote from Fireproof, a movie that depicts a struggling marriage and a changed heart. In the movie, Caleb found Christ and his heart was radically changed. Then for 45 days Catherine experienced Caleb’s unconditional love as he attempted to win her back and save their marriage. Ultimately, in an act of complete and sacrificial love, Caleb would sacrifice all that he had…for Catherine. Overwhelmed by his act of selflessness and the authenticity of his faith, she was drawn back to him and (most importantly) to Christ in him.

As believers in the workplace it is our mission to make our faith authentic and attractive to others. We have a biblical mandate to do so. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col 4:5-6). God has called us to love our enemies and to be gracious toward others. He has called us to be honest, reliable and joyful people so that non-followers of Jesus will be attracted to God in us.

Authentic Christianity will radiate a sweet and sincere love…a love that attracts the lost like honey attracts the bees. This love is deep, it is joyful and it is selfless. A genuine faith will reflect Ephesians 4:32 which says “…be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”.

Our world today is tired of hypocrisy and is looking to see authentic Christianity in action. May our faith in the workplace be so different and Christ be so real that others are led to say, “I want what’s happened to you to happen to me”.

Your are Special!

You are Special!

by

Charles Ligon

Just a few days after the school year had begun, the teacher deposited a very small pre-Kindergarten student in the corner chair of my office. She said, “Mr. Ligon, you’ve got to do something. Dillon is hitting, he’s biting and he’s totally out of control”.  Frustrated and exhausted, she turned and walked out. I found myself thinking, “What do I do now?”  For several minutes, I just let him sit in that chair…his little feet not even close to touching the floor. I waited long enough to instill a little fear in him before I knelt down and looked into his wide-open and fearful eyes.

In a stern but caring voice, I said “Dillon, do you know what you are?” His tiny voice replied “No sir”.  It was obvious that he was fully expecting me to declare that he was a very bad boy. I could only respond, “Dillon, you are special, so special!  Do you know how much I love you?”   With a look of surprise, he quietly said “No sir”.  I opened my arms wide and said “I love you this much”. Then I asked, “Dillon, do you know how much God loves you?” Again, I hear this gentle “No sir”.  I said, “This room cannot contain how much God loves you. In fact, God created you and He made you very special”.

As best I could at a pre-K level, I told him about Psalm 139:12-13 and John 3:16. As he listened intently to every word, something changed in Dillon. I think perhaps for the first time, he saw himself differently…he saw himself as God’s little creation, as someone special.

Sometimes we forget that we are special too. There are those in our workplaces who, through words and actions, would make us feel less than special. But, the Bible reminds us that we are God’s special people, created in His image (Gen. 1:27). He formed our inward parts, wove us together in our mother’s womb and tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:12-13). What’s more, we are so special that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us (John 3:16). And…He gave us the right to become children of God (John 1:12); He loves us intimately! So, the next time you feel less than special remember who you are…remember whose you are.
But, don’t stop there. There are “Dillons” all around you in your workplace. Take the time to tell them why they are special. It may be exactly what they need to hear today!
A final word about Dillon…I would often see him in the hallway and ask, “Dillon, what are you?” With his exuberance, he would respond with a loud and emphatic “SPECIAL”. Indeed he is and so are you!

Devotion for the Work Place

Looking Up with Gratitude

by

Charles Ligon

As we walked through the woods, my Bluetick-Beagle (whom we recently rescued from a local shelter) was at work…doing what she loves and was created to do.  Her nose was flat on the ground, and she was sniffing and snorting…100% focused on tracking something, probably a deer.  Then all of a sudden, she stopped in her tracks. She sat down…looked up and stared at me.  Those sweet eyes seemed to say, “thank you so much for rescuing me…I was lost and you found me…I was headed for death but you saved me and made me yours”. If a dog can be grateful, I believe Gracie was at that very moment! Then, just as quickly, her nose went down and she was back to work.   

This was a teachable moment for me. I paused briefly and thought…how often do I stop during my work day, look up and thank God for rescuing me? I confess…not nearly enough! I was once dead in my sin yet God rescued me…making me His own. Thank you Lord!!

The Bible says, “Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign LORD rescues us from death” (Psalm 68:20), “…you were dead in trespasses and sins…But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us…made us alive again…by grace you have been saved ”(Eph 2:1-5). “…God rescued me…led me to a place of safety” (Psalm 18:17&19 NLT).

What should be my response? “I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me” (Psalm 30:1). “…give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). I wonder…as we go about our work day, do we take the time to stop…look up…and express our heartfelt gratitude to God?

Workplace Challenge: During your work day, decide to be more intentional expressing gratitude for what God has done in your life. Thank Him often for saving you, adopting you as His child and preparing for you an eternal home. If necessary, create reminders for yourself. Use sticky notes, alarms on your Outlook or find an accountability partner. God deserves our continual gratitude! So, as you begin your day doing what God has created you to do, be sure to stop, look up and tell Him of your deep gratitude for what He has done in your life.