July 30 – August 5, 2017

{Monologues: Aquila}

By Adam Pontier

Most days at work I’m exposed to 145 degrees Fahrenheit in attic spaces. You can find me crawling on the ground with spiders, snakes, rodents and whatever else you might find in a crawlspace. You’ll find me walking on top of roofs about 20-30 feet above ground level. If I fall it’s going to either end my life or leave me severely injured. I put my hand within millimeters of live voltage inside breaker panels that, with one slip, would electrocute me.

All that said, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. I love my job! I own my own home inspection business, and for the last 6 years I have spent my days meeting new people at the homes they are in process of buying. In the process, I have fallen more and more in love with my job. It’s amazing to have a job that I’m passionate about. If I didn’t need money to survive and take care of my family, I’d do it for free. I have no doubt God has placed me as a home inspector to serve his kingdom.

There isn’t a single aspect of this business that makes it so enjoyable. It’s the combination of all the pieces together. However, there is one part that I enjoy the most. Helping people. I help people understand issues in the homes they are buying that can be very expensive to repair and/or dangerous. 

Walking through someone’s dream home and pointing out all the flaws definitely brings up emotions. Finding a way to relay these facts in an honest but kind manner is a balancing act. It’s a must to consider not only the facts, but emotions. In other words, breaking bad news is never easy but it can be done with care and complete honesty.

My business is not spiritual by nature. It’s not a job that requires someone to have a relationship with Jesus. You can have no understanding of God or any desire to know God and still be great at it. I think that is the norm with most jobs in this world.

My experience has been that within these typical market place jobs, God can use someone to serve his kingdom. Not by outward preaching and shoving the gospel down anyone’s throat, but through hard work and a caring demeanor. Working as though Jesus himself was your actual boss that checks up on you.

You don’t have to be in love with your job for God to use it ― and you ― to serve a higher purpose. I believe that all the jobs I had previously prepared me with the necessary experience to do this job. I was being prepped by God to serve in a position that I would enjoy while making a bigger impact for him.

How can you serve God’s kingdom ― that higher purpose ― in your job (or the arena that consumes most of your week)?

“How was it that I could be so successful, so fortunate, and yet so frustratingly unfulfilled?" ― Bob P. Buford, Halftime: Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance

{sunday 7.30.17}

Read Acts 18:1-3

Observe, Reflect, Apply: Working alongside people is a great way to get to know them. Who do you know that you can work alongside to get to know them better?

{personal reflection and bible reading plan}

As you read the verses each day, make notes of questions you have about what you’re reading as well as answering the reflection questions below. Grab a friend or two to discuss what you are learning and what God is doing in your lives.

CLICK HERE to check out our latest video resource from Seth Davidson, The Journey Continues: Colossians.

{monday 7.31.17}

Read Colossians 2:11-23

Observe, Reflect, Apply: Wrestling with sin is so hard. It often brings struggles with guilt, shame and unworthiness. How can we flip the script and find healthy ways to address our sin that lead to freedom and self control? What can you take away from these verses as an encouragement this week? What do you need to talk to God about as a confession? What can you celebrate from this experience?

{tuesday 8.1.17}

Read Colossians 3:1-11

Observe, Reflect, Apply: We are human . . . and in our humanity we will struggle with bad habits, unhealthy coping skills, and sin. How do you recognize these things in your own life? How do you take control over them? The promise that, "Christ is all that matters and he lives in each of us" is a huge encouragement. How can you hold onto this promise each day?

{wednesday 8.2.17}

Read Colossians 3:12-25

Observe, Reflect, Apply: So many good things mentioned in these verses! In the crazy busy world we exist in, how can we put on all of these positive habits/attitudes? Then we have words like submit, love, obey, serve, work. At their very heart, these words and actions are meant to strengthen the relationships described. How do we connect in the relationships we have been given with a heart (and actions) that say, "We are in this together. Let’s love, obey, serve and work with one another in unity?"

{thursday 8.3.17}

Read Colossians 4:1-9

Observe, Reflect, Apply: How do we pray with alert minds? With thankful hearts? Take a moment and pray now…perhaps even jot down your prayers. How do we have "gracious" interactions with those around us who don’t know Jesus? How do we respond to every situation with what is best, instead of what just jumps out of our mouths?

{friday 8.4.17}

Read Colossians 4:10-1 Thessalonians 1:5a

Observe, Reflect, Apply: Kind of cool, how Paul ends his letter sharing a list of greetings, thoughts and prayers from all the people who are keeping the Colossians in mind. Who could use a greeting, an encouragement or a prayer from you today? Will you take a moment and give it now?

{saturday 8.5.17}

Read 1Thessalonians 1:5b-2:9

Observe, Reflect, Apply: We now read a heartfelt greeting and encouragement to the Thessalonians. Have you ever noticed how a warm welcome or encouraging thought from someone impacts your demeanor? Have you ever had your day changed because someone went above and beyond to create a positive interaction with you? It’s pretty powerful stuff! So, too, is the act of sharing lives and sharing Jesus. Who do you care about so much that you are willing to open up your life and your story with Jesus to them? What one step can you take this week to open the door to your life a little further with one person?

{group discussion ideas}

We weren’t meant to experience the life of Jesus alone, so we encourage you to rally a few others to discuss what you are hearing, reading, and reflecting on together. Whether you are meeting as an Heartland group, talking with a few friends throughout the week, or bringing up spiritual conversations around your table at home, feel free to use some of these questions as conversation starters for The Journey.

• Can you name an ‘takeaway’ or challenge from the Sunday message?
• How has that been relevant, challenging, or meaningful to your life this week?
• What have you observed about God, Jesus, yourself, others, or God’s plan for you from these readings?
• Where do you need a breakthrough from God this week?
• Who do you need to share what you’re learning about God with?

{extra journey resources}

CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.

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Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.

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