Even though it has become an oft-used, well-worn phrase, I wonder how many people have ever bothered to try defining what "the good life" really is - or what it should be.

Looking good. Some people confuse "the good life" with "looking good." They are preoccupied with appearances - as if that is what really matters in life. The American culture, for example, idolizes beauty and places high value on being attractive. Advertisers capitalize on this. knowing the promise of "looking good" causes men and women to spend billions on beauty products, tanning salons, plastic surgery, fat suction, custom color coordination, and the latest styles in clothing.

Feeling good. For others, "the good life" means the same as "feeling good." Their goal is minimizing pain and maximizing pleasure - and they will use whatever means they think necessary to achieve this: hot tubs, entertainment parks, drug addiction, virtual reality experiences, world travel, film or concert venues. The supplying of pleasure and entertainment has grown into the largest industry in some countries. A motto from the 1960s, "If it feels good, do it," has become personal philosophy for many people.

Having the goods. Then there are others who associate "the good life" with "having the goods." Their chief ambition in life is collecting all the goods and goodies of life - at least as many as possible. They earn as much money as they can so they can spend it as fast as they can. Some frankly identify their values with bumper stickers that declare, "The one that dies with the most toys wins." Others are not that brazen, but still believe this "good life" is something that can be acquired, like a commodity.

The truth is: None of these things ultimately satisfy.

• No matter what you do, you cannot stop the aging process.
• Pleasure is a byproduct of the good life; it should not be viewed as the goal of it.
• The greatest things in life are not things at all!

So, what truly is the Good Life? It is the personal fulfillment and joy that come from being good and doing good. It is the result of discovering and becoming exactly what God created you to be. Nothing else will fill that void in your soul. The Bible tells us: "You are God's workmanship, created...to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do" (Ephesians 2:10). When you use your life to help others - doing good - and know and trust God, you will feel good about yourself. That is the Good Life. Don't let anybody deceive you into thinking it is something else.

In the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus announced He came to give us life, making it possible for us to experience life abundantly - to its fullest (John 10:10). The Bible also declares we can have this abundant life right now, to the degree we trust God with every detail of our lives (2 Corinthians 3:17).

© 2010, Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved. Adapted from a column by Dr. Rick Warren, the author of numerous books, including the highly acclaimed, The Purpose-Drive Life, which has been translated into many languages and sold throughout the world. It affirms the importance of having a carefully considered, clearly expressed purpose to guide everyday life. It has been named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20^th Century. He also has written The Purpose-Driven Church and The Purpose of Christmas.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. If someone were to ask you about "the good life," how would you define it?

2. Based on your definition of the good life, do you believe you are experiencing it right now? Why or why not?

3. What do you think of the statement that looking good, feeling good, and "having the goods" - possessing desirable things - are nothing more than byproducts of the so-called "good life" and should not be the primary focus of our lives?

4. Do you agree with Dr. Warren's view that having a personal relationship with God enables us to be good and do good, ultimately making it possible for us to become all that He has designed us to be? Explain your answer.

NOTE: If you have a Bible, consider these other passages that relate to this topic:

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Matthew 6:19-21, 25:21-23; Luke 16:10-12; Acts 20:35; 1 Timothy 6:17

One corporation, a key player in the transportation industry, declares its goal to provide service that "exceeds expectations of our customers." In a vision statement, it adds its intent "to be viewed by our customers and peers as the standard of quality and customer care...."

The other company - a manufacturer - declares in its mission statement the desire to be the "supplier of choice throughout the world." In a separate statement of its commitment to the highest quality, it asserts it will "provide defect-free products and services on time, every time." This declaration of mission concludes by pointing to the owners' ultimate focus: to perform its work "All to the Glory of God."

As I have conducted interviews to gather information for the books, it has become evident the staffs are acutely aware of these statements. They understand these principles are intended to serve as a basis for their approach to daily responsibilities. It is not a coincidence that both of these companies are ranked at or near the top of their industries and held in high regard by employees, clients, suppliers - and even competitors.

It has been said that in setting goals, three questions is helpful: "Where are we going?" "How are we going to get there?" "How will we know when we have arrived?" For this reason, there is tremendous wisdom in having a leadership team collaborate to formulate statements of mission, vision and values to ensure that all parties involved have an unambiguous understanding of what they are required to do, why they are doing it, and how.

The Bible speaks directly to this issue. In the Old Testament it declares, "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18). Another translation of the same passage states, "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law." In other words, vision helps to tell people where they are headed and what is expected of them. Armed with this understanding, they can live up to expectations.

Vision provides direction. When people have confidence in their leader, they only need to be told the way they should go. "The Lord had said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you...they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there" (Genesis 12:1-5).

Vision gives purpose. To be most effective, workers need to know not only what product or service their company provides, but also what they will accomplish together. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Vision offers identity. Who are your employers, in terms of their role in your organization? Vision helps them to understand their roles. "But you will receive power...and you will be my witnesses..." (Acts 1:8).

Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. A veteran of more than 38 years in professional journalism, he is the author of Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today's Workplace (River City Press) and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential (NavPress). For more information, see http://www.leaderslegacy.com/ or his blog, http://www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com/.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Does your company have clearly articulated statements of mission, vision and/or values? If so, are these statements actively utilized in the conduct of everyday business or are they typically filed away in a drawer and forgotten?

2. If your business does not have such principles expressed in writing, do you think a process to verbalize them clearly and concretely would be useful? If the task were assigned to you, how would you express your company's mission, vision and values?

3. What are the consequences, in your opinion, of not having and giving prominence to such statements of mission and vision?

4. What role, if any, do you think God and biblical principles should play in the formulation of a corporation's mission, vision and values?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to review additional passages that relate to this topic, consider the following verses:

Genesis 11:1-3, 12:33-42; Joshua 1:1-9; Nehemiah 2:11-18; Proverbs 22:6; 2 Timothy 2:2

"Lord, give me an idea." That was the simple prayer of a young man named Dawson Trotman, who eventually became the founder of The Navigators, a worldwide ministry God has used to touch countless thousands of lives.

And it was in the late 1950s when my wife, Marian, said to me: "Bob, this is something we can do." There, as we sat beside the swimming pool at the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A., a seed took root that sprouted into Lost Valley Ranch, the guest ranch we established in Colorado.

The moment we have an idea, however, is not always the time to spring into action. Sometimes the best thing is to wait - for the right timing, resources and people to fall into place to bring the idea into fruition. So if you have an idea, no matter how good it may be, leave it alone. Allow time for God to do His work. The steps to follow, once an idea has taken root, are: prayer, planning, and preparation.

As I look back over the past 50 years, I see myself as a little boy (even though I was 40 years old) who humbly and earnestly harnessed the wind of the Holy Spirit's call to dare do something that I knew nothing about, but was willing to trust in God to translate a simple idea into reality.

Do you have any rivers that seem uncrossable? Are there any mountains you cannot tunnel through? Believe me, God specializes in things that someone thought were impossible. He can accomplish what no other power can do.

After all, He promises, "Call unto ME and I will answer you, and show you great and might things, which you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3).

Adapted from Take Three on Monday Morning, an e-mail meditation published by Robert D. Foster. Permission to reproduce with proper credit is freely given and encouraged. For questions or comments, write: 29555 Goose Creek Rd, Sedalia, CO 80135, U.S.A., or fax (303) 647-2315.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Can you think of someone - perhaps even yourself - who had an unusual idea that developed into extremely innovative product or service? How do you think that idea came about?

2. What is the correct response when an idea is received with ridicule or opposition? How is it possible to overcome discouragement or seemingly overwhelming obstacles?

3. Robert Foster suggests that once an idea is conceived, rather than moving immediately into action, it is often wise to wait, to "allow time for God to do His work." Do you agree with this advice? Why or why not? And if you do agree, how can you know when you have waiting long enough?

4. How do you think the three-step process of prayer, planning and preparation can best be implemented?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to review some other passages that relate to this topic, consider the following verses:

Genesis 1:26-30, 41:25-40; Nehemiah 2:11-30; Psalm 37:4-5, Proverbs 3:5-6, 16:3,9; Acts 2:17

Ingram's sincere revelations were not only transparent, but also very instructive. As he told his story, citing his own failings to illustrate his focus on integrity, he did so in a way that served to provide a vivid example of humility for everyone in the meeting room. At the same time, it seemed as if he was granting his hearers permission to be genuine themselves, rather than hiding behind facades of pretense.

In the business world, we often strive to impress others by always attempting to cast ourselves in the most favorable light. We prefer to keep our personal sins and failures hidden in the shadows. What Ingram was doing, however, was applying an important biblical principle. Proverbs 28:13 teaches, "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

Hopefully for Ingram, his openness enabled him to feel mercy from God as well as from the crowd. I know that for me, his account caused me to realize I have many failings of my own and have no room to cast stones or pronounce judgment on others.

Of course, there are many reasons for being reluctant to share our personal shortcomings and failures with others: embarrassment and shame are among them, but pride is perhaps the greatest inhibitor of all. We do not want other people to know our imperfections - despite our awareness that everyone is far from perfect. Nevertheless, pride drives us to try to prove to others that we are better than we really are.

It might help to consider two important admonitions we have from the Bible. The first is a simple but sobering declaration: "There is no one righteous, not even one" (Romans 3:10). The second also is found in the Old Testament book of wisdom: "Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor" (Proverbs 18:12).

My own experience has taught me that we would be well-advised to heed this counsel from the Scriptures. If you have committed a personal sin at work, do not attempt to hide it. As difficult as it might seem, confession is usually the best course of action.

The wrongs we commit have an annoying way of revealing themselves, sometimes at the most inopportune moments. It might be wise to take a proactive approach, confessing failings candidly and in a timely manner, rather than waiting for them to be revealed in some other way - much to our disgrace.

Copyright 2010, Integrity Resource Center, Inc. Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. To learn more about Integrity Resource Center or to sign up for Rick's daily Integrity Moments, visit http://www.integrityresource.org/.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever heard a speaker - or a leader of your organization - candidly admit personal or professional failings, as did the man that Rick Boxx describes? If so, how did hearing those revelations make you feel?

2. Do you think you would be able to be as honest in admitting to your own failures? Why or why not?

3. What impact does the concealing of one's shortcomings have on that individual's integrity, in your opinion? If you heard a leader or speaker confess about wrongs he had done, would your view of that person of that be raised or lowered? Explain your answer.

4. It is stated that one of the major reasons for the unwillingness to be open and honest about failures is pride. Do you agree?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages:

Proverbs 11:2, 12:17, 12:19, 14:5, 15:33, 16:19, 22:4, 29:23: James 5:16