CONSCIENTIOUS

While Kathleen was talking to me in my office, Stephen came running in and said a man at the door wanted to see one of us. We hadn’t heard the doorbell and to keep him from waiting long I hurried. It was a deliveryman from UPS. He asked me to sign for a large box and then went back to his truck to pick up an even larger one. As he returned to his vehicle, I said to my wife, "I think I will put these in the garage." Almost to his truck, the deliveryman turned around and asked if he could carry them for me.

Meditation

Nehemiah 5:16,19—Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land . . . Remember me with favor, O my God, for all I have done for these people.

He didn’t have to turn back. His job was done. He had purveyed the boxes and I’m sure he had plenty more to deliver. It was the sincerity in his voice that really got me. This young man wanted to help. I almost felt bad declining his offer.

It’s so easy to just do our job. There never is an end to work. But to put an exclamation point on what we do is what defines conscientiousness. To be conscientious reveals humility, pride and kindness. Humility because the one working strives to serve another superbly. Pride because the work rendered must be of the highest quality. Kindness because the receiver is blessed. As we discover from the root of the word, a conscientious person is acting in accordance with the dictates of the conscience. Traced further, we see the signature of God. For man and woman are made in His image (Genesis 1:27). He has placed in our conscience a desire to do right.

Isn’t the greatest example of conscientiousness the Son of Man hanging on a cross for an undeserving humanity? Humble—He gave up His power and glory to die mocked and abused. Proud—His Father’s voice echoed, "This is My Son, Whom I love; with Him I am well pleased" (Matthew 17:5). Jesus left no error. No mistakes marred His life. Kind—what greater love is there than to model holiness—to die for the unholy?

Do your actions tell a story? Do they link you to heaven for the glory of God?

Inspiration

The rarest asset to a godly life is to be practically conscientious in every situation.—Oswald Chambers in Not Knowing Where

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.—Lao-Tzu (Sixth century B.C. Philosopher)