Catalyst Track: Trade Up // Day Two

This track comes from Dean Niewolny’s new book, Trade Up.

In Ephesians 2:10, Paul says, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Remember that verse. In it, Paul (writing from a prison, by the way) says we are born to be part of something big. But what? And how can we know?

One starting place to know is the Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell what moved Jesus: his “giants,” you might say, of sickness, poverty, injustice, lack of mercy, hunger and thirst, imprisonment, alienation, suffering. The Gospels also reveal that Jesus identifies personally with sufferers: “Inasmuch as you do it to the least of these—my brothers and sisters,” he said, “you do it to me” (Matt. 25:40, paraphrase). As we attach ourselves to Jesus Christ, our hearts increasingly hurt with him.

What does it take to feel good—and do good—in work? It's not more money. Money falls short, says Dean Niewolny, whose head-turning career, houses, boat, plane, and paycheck still left him restless.

So what is it?

In this 3-day track, Dean provides leaders the opportunity to evaluate how kingdom purpose is being lived out in their lives and take the next steps to make those goals a reality!

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Day 2 – Simplify

 

As I grew more aware of how I spent my time, I saw that a lot of it went to upkeep.

How many times did I walk into work with my mind on plane safety, hangar rental deadlines, annual insurance? Then I’d shift to the lake. When are taxes due on the house? Did lawn maintenance show up? Is the boat clean for next weekend? Time to winterize.

What became my campaign to downsize our holdings had originated in Chicago, in my fortieth-floor office moment, when I pressed my forehead onto the desk and said there had to be more to life. As surely as I write this now, I believe God told me then to simplify. As I slipped by degrees into that groove, I found I liked it. Less mental clutter opened room for new priorities.

My stress decreased. I was aware of feelings of joy.

 

REFLECT

 

• What desires for kingdom impact has God put on your heart?
• Whether it’s money, higher positions, idleness or something else, what things are getting in your way of pursuing those kingdom goals?