And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
- Colossians 3:17

Everything we do when we’re made new in Christ links back to our relationship with God. Every act of kindness and compassion, every move toward forgiveness and reconciliation, every step of faithfulness and every display of love … it all spirals back to God.

The Christian life spills beyond Sunday morning worship, small group life, and quiet devotional emails. It invades our dishwashing and errand-running. It rocks our working and learning and parenting. It slips into the center of our relationships with our neighbors, our government, and our families.

What would happen if Christians everywhere embraced this reality and pursued it intentionally?

Imagine how it would impact the business community. Picture every Christian contract negotiator, consultant, and manager doing their work in the name of the Lord Jesus … even that guy in Sales!!! This wouldn’t mean that (as Martin Luther joked) they’d put crosses on everything, but rather that the Christ who died on the cross and rose from the dead left an indelible mark on how these businesspeople treated everyone they encountered in their working life. Integrity. Mercy. Generosity. Creativity. All of this unleashed in the name of Jesus.

Imagine how this would impact parents. The grind of laundry and feeding and discipline and chauffeuring repeated ad infinitum would become the hum of joy-filled praise. Every diaper would become an opportunity to praise God. Every time out would become a moment to connect with God. Every ride in the car would become an open door to share the gospel and make little disciples of Christ.

Imagine how this would impact conversations about development here locally (can we think about this?). New developments might make considerations of creation care and compassion for the poor central to new neighborhoods. Long-time locals might show radical hospitality to new and different neighbors. Both recent arrivals and natives might meet Jesus in new and powerful ways.

Would you pray a prayer of communal intercession today, asking God that all his people – including us – would lean into this principle and allow Jesus to shape everything we say and do?