“But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.”

My two Brother-in-Laws (Patti’s brothers) are in totally different businesses.  One runs a stem cell regeneration and cell therapy manufacturing company.  The other leads his own off-premise catering business in Manhattan. Over the holidays we were able to spend time together and the conversations would drift to business and the important areas of focus for both of them.  I am always amazed at how “business is business” at its heart.  Both of my Brother-in-Laws do very different things but they both have the similarities of being in businesses where if they don’t follow their standards of operations, people will become sick or worse, die.  Cell therapy manufacturing and cooking food for others to eat both share that same danger.  This reminded me of why it is so important to run our businesses “by the book” and not to deviate or cut corners, or get sloppy.  Standard of Operations (SOPs) are there for a reason and if we are trying to circumvent them, ignore, or resist, then we are setting ourselves up for failure, or worse.

What happens when we don’t go “by the Book” (that being God’s Word) in our own work lives?  People may not physically die, but the worst can happen; we could dissuade or confuse them from exploring what it is to follow Jesus.  You see, we have to be even more by the book than the rest of the world, for more is required from us than those who don’t profess a belief.  John the Baptist said to Jesus, “You should be baptizing me” but Jesus said, “No”, because He was teaching and modeling for us how important it is to follow through and do what is required.  He commands us to go “by the Book” in all we do.

Reference: Matthew 3:15 (New Living Translation)