Pay Attention to Your Core Values, Part 1

Scripture — 2 Corinthians 1:8-12 (NRSV)

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.  He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. Indeed, this is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have behaved in the world with frankness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God—and all the more toward you.

Devotion

In the first chapter of the letter we know as 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul shares his struggles with his readers in a startling and surprising way. He does so as an expression of one of his core values. Thus, he demonstrates how our core values can inspire and shape our sense of purpose in life.

After an opening blessing, Paul writes, “We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead” (2 Cor 1:8-9). We don’t know the exact nature of Paul’s affliction in the Roman province of Asia. But we do know how Paul felt in the midst of it: “utterly, unbearably crushed,” despairing, and as if he had received a death sentence. In other words, Paul was deeply discouraged, despondent, and perhaps even depressed.

When we read Paul’s words today, we may feel empathy. But if we were the original readers of this letter, we would be shocked. Why? First of all, people in the ancient world didn’t share their feelings openly, especially negative feelings. Paul’s decision to share so vulnerably was profoundly counter-cultural. Many would censure him for this way of communicating.

Moreover, if you were to keep on reading in 2 Corinthians, you’d soon discover that Paul was writing to a divided church in which many members were critical of Paul precisely because he wasn’t powerful and successful enough. He didn’t exemplify “victorious Christian living.” His choice to share his struggles was both counter-cultural and courageous, if not risky or even foolish. Paul was opening himself up to even further criticism by speaking so openly about his despair.

Why did he do such a risky thing? Verses 9-11 show that Paul wanted to emphasize the importance of relying on God, not on his own strength. Verse 12 adds something else: “Indeed, this is our boast, the testimony of our conscience: we have behaved in the world with frankness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God—and all the more toward you.” Paul says that he has behaved “with frankness and godly sincerity.”

This is not the only place in Paul’s letters where he makes a claim like this. You can find a similar passage in the second chapter of 1 Thessalonians:

For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us (1 Thes 2:3-8, emphasis added).

If you were to compare this passage with claims made by Paul’s philosophical and religious rivals in the Roman world, you’d find once again how counter-cultural he was. Gentleness was not affirmed. Sharing yourself in addition to your message was not encouraged.

We see how Paul’s ministry was shaped and guided by one of his core values: “frankness and godly sincerity,” or we might say honesty and integrity, even to the point of vulnerability. Paul sought to speak and live truthfully, even if this meant opening up his heart and therefore himself to criticism. His evangelistic work and his pastoral work both show how deeply Paul valued frankness and openness.

So, making explicit the relevance of this for purpose in life, let me say this: If you want to receive, clarify, craft, and live your purpose, then pay attention to your core values. The things you value most deeply can and will shape your purpose in life.

I saw an example of this recently in a graduation ceremony. My son-in-law, Jack, was graduating from Vanderbilt University with a master’s degree in public policy related to education. During the ceremony, several leaders in his program spoke, and they also recognized many of their outstanding students, all of whom had begun their careers in education. What the speakers emphasized again and again, and what the lives of the students embodied, was how much they valued service to others, especially service to children and youth, and especially those who do not start life with many crucial advantages. I was struck by the fact that if one of your core values is serving others, then this will profoundly affect your purpose in life. You may not choose to go into education, since you can serve people well in a variety of endeavors, including business, arts, government, church, social service, and so forth. But whatever you do, serving others will be central to your purpose.

Of course, choosing service as a core value is modeled for us by Jesus. You may remember a scene in the gospels where the disciples of Jesus were jockeying for their personal position and power. Jesus responded,

You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.

In conclusion, let me repeat that if you want to receive, clarify, craft, and live your purpose, pay attention to your core values. Be aware of your deepest commitments and principles. Let them guide you as you discern your purpose in life and as you live out this purpose.

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Thank God for Relationships (2 Corinthians 1:1–11).