As more companies return to hybrid or fully onsite work, I keep coming back to a simple question: If we’re asking people to be physically present again…what are we actually using that presence for?
We can’t rewind to pre-pandemic. Work changed. People changed. Expectations around flexibility, productivity, and trust changed. And for many employees, performance didn’t drop when they left the office—it actually improved.
So, when organizations decide that onsite time should increase, the “why” matters more than ever. It can’t just be about proximity for proximity’s sake or leaders feeling secure within their control.
If people are commuting in, that time should feel different—not just a change of scenery from remote work. It should be where in-person presence adds something you can’t get through a screen:
Faster collaboration and real-time problem solving
Deeper mentorship and coaching moments
Relationship-building that strengthens trust
Decisions that benefit from shared context and energy
Otherwise, employees start asking a fair question: What’s the point of being here?
And honestly, that’s where a lot of friction shows up—not in the requirement itself, but in the lack of clarity and communication. around it.
Most people aren’t anti-office. They’re anti-wasted-office-time.
They don’t mind coming in when it’s useful, engaging, or meaningful. What frustrates them is showing up to sit on video calls all day, doing the exact same work they could have done remotely—just with a commute added on top. That’s not collaboration. That’s relocation.
Thus, if we’re going to bring people back in more consistently, maybe the better conversation isn’t how often, but how intentionally.
Because proximity, when used well, is powerful. It accelerates ideas. It strengthens relationships. It builds momentum. But when used poorly, it just feels like distance with extra steps.
In Matthew 7:1–5, Jesus gives one of His most quoted—and arguably most misunderstood—teachings:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged…Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
Spoken during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes the character of those who belong to the Kingdom of Heaven. His words are not a proscription against discernment but a warning against hypocrisy and self-righteous condemnation.
But how can we apply this to our everyday lives, our relationships, and even our jobs?
As always, let’s dive in.
Observationsand Applications:
1. “Do Not Judge” — What Jesus Is Not Saying
In today’s world, “Do not judge” is generally used to discourage behavior evaluation and sin identification. However, that interpretation doesn’t hold up in context, as a few verses later (Matthew 7:15), Jesus implores discernment, instructing his followers to “watch out for false prophets.” As we see throughout Scripture, particularly in Paul’s letters, believers are called to evaluate teaching, fruit, and conduct.
Thus, we can deduce that Jesus is not encouraging silent tongues in the face of injustice but rather confronting a posture of superiority, eager to point out faults in others while remaining blind to one’s own.
2. The Speck and the Log — A Deliberate Exaggeration
While some picture Jesus as matter-of-fact in sermons, this passage reveals an expression of humanity, specifically the use of humor and exaggeration to make certain truths vivid.
Consider the contrast:
A speck of sawdust in someone else’s eye.
A massive plank lodged in your own.
The image is absurd. Imagine someone trying to perform eye surgery while a two-by-four is sticking out of their face. Crazy, right? Well, maybe not so much given our tendency to minimize our own sin and magnify the faults of others,
Note the metaphor’s tie-in to unholy offense. Any time we hold a grudge or foster bitterness and resentment in our hearts, we invert this order. Either we expect the other side to yield first, or we assume the speck is on our side.
Yet, the comparison infers, neither option is correct; hence, His warning: “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged.”
Essentially, Jesus is cautioning us to a familiar theme in Scripture: The measure we use becomes the measure applied to us. God opposes hypocrisy because it misrepresents His character and misappropriates humility. When we judge harshly, we assume a role that belongs to God. When we judge mercilessly, we forget how much mercy we ourselves have received.
3. “First, take the Log Out.”
Notice Jesus does not say, “Ignore the speck in your brother’s eye,” but charges us to “First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck.”
Why this direction? For starters, at the heart of love is mercy, and mercy, by nature, does not condemn but seeks to restore and transform through constructive insight.
Knowing this, we can confidently confront our sin by:
Approaching others gently.
Correcting without cruelty.
Speaking truth without pride.
Extending grace without reciprocity.
Only when humility meets repentance will our correction convey in an empowering and encouraging way.
4. A Diagnostic Question
Before addressing someone else’s failure, we must ask ourselves some clarifying questions:
Have I honestly examined my own heart?
Am I motivated by love or by irritation?
Do I desire restoration or vindication?
Have I invited God to expose my blind spots?
Taking this inventory, we align ourselves to an essential truth:
Judgment that flows from humility leads to healing; judgment that flows from pride leads to division.
Ultimately, Matthew 7:1–5 drives us back to the Gospel, where at the Cross, we discern two clear truths:
Our sin is serious enough to require sacrifice.
God’s grace is abundant enough to forgive it.
When we live at the foot of the cross, arrogance dissolves. We remember that we are recipients of mercy before we are dispensers of correction. The person who knows they have been forgiven does not wield judgment carelessly.
Final Thoughts & Prayer
Matthew 7:1–5 is not a call to oral silence but to moral integrity. As modeled during His ministry, Jesus invites us into a community marked by:
Self-awareness
Repentance
Mercy
Clear-eyed love
However, to fully abide in this series, we must repent of any place where we find safety in critiquing over confessing and/or analyzing another’s pride before confronting our own.
Bottom line: Before we reach for someone else’s speck, dare to kneel with your own log. Once immersed in that posture—low, honest, dependent—it’s only a matter of time until you begin to see clearly again.
Let’s pray…
“Heavenly Father. We commit this study, this day into your hands. We ask you seal your truth into our hearts. May it not vacate our ears or return void. Continue to teach us how to forgive, how to timely release our offenses. Refine this quality in our spirits so we can better illuminate the fullness of your love. We receive your grace afresh and anew with the aim to extend what you’ve blessed and equipped us with. Whether we’re poor in spiritor riding high in faith, reveal to us logs to extract so we can maturely handle the specks we encounter. In your holy, precious name, we declare victory in this area as we conform to your likeness. May it be so. May it be done. We love you, Lord. Amen.”
The other day, I was catching up with a former colleague when the following topic came up: Why does God lead us to places we don’t belong, places so far out of our giftings and comfort zones, they are practically impossible?
These are fair and popular questions during and after seasons of intense shaking and course-correcting. If we’re to start our exploration on the right foot, we must know who God is and how He journeys us. After all, God’s concern is not so much where we’re going as much as who we’re becoming. While man, in his lust for understanding, craves direction for his gain, be it clarity, validation, or something tangible, God is always after our hearts, relentlessly pursuing us in love (1 John 4:19). True to His Word, He never forsakes us and is always ready to help when we ask for it (Matthew 7:7; John 14:13-14).
So, if God is all this and more, why does He migrate us into deserts and wildernesses? Why does God sometimes open doors to places we’re hard-pressed to thrive, to be most effective?
As Jennie Allen suggests in her book, Untangle Your Emotions, when processing these questions, we must start with the right ‘W’. Often, we wonder why so we ask ‘why’, when really, we should be asking, ‘what’. For example, rather than ask God, ‘Why did you lead me here? Why did you let this happen? Why aren’t you manifesting’, inquire with, ‘God, what do you want me to know? What must I do to help this situation? What is it you want me to receive from you at the moment?’ While these are but a few examples, the mere shift in approach gives us a healthy starting point from which we can troubleshoot internal dissonance.
I believe for many of us, we’re searching not only for answers but stillness with a side of healing. Often, to what we hope for, we’re desperate for an improvement of circumstance, character, even health. The problem is while our reliance in the vertical is perpetually possible, the restoration we crave in the horizontal isn’t always plausible; hence, why we sometimes succumb to a ‘why’ question as we seek to bridge the disconnect. The good news is while this divide may hurt in the short term, it can have long-term, large-scale impacts given it validates our call to rely on God when we’re overwhelmed. Feeling down in your doubt? Cast it on Him! Sensing unfair treatment? Pray for peace-making discernment. Struggling to reconcile the past or advance in your way? Submit your intent to Christ knowing He desires to mature you according to His purposes.
Stumble as we may, our grooming for eternity doesn’t pause in the potholes of life but by His stripes can be enhanced in our weakness.
Accordingly, if you’re questioning God at a crucial intersection, if you’re struggling to arrive at peace, rest, forgiveness, whatever it may be, consider changing your ‘Why God’ into a ‘What God’ and watch what happens. Once your ‘what’ questions are in rhythm, marinate in the sweetness of God’s sanctification and strategize ways in which righteousness and holiness can cover your interactions with other people. Like ‘why’ questions, harboring offense and intentionally withholding good things (i.e. availability, a gentle critique/response, a listening ear, an effort to understand, etc.) will only cloud judgment and cap God’s love from flowing through us. Rather than quench the fires of tension or repair the damages of burnout, inquire what God wants to show you as you walk through it in humility. No need to panic or freak out; just leave it to the wrath and ways of God to straighten and enlighten. From there, all you have to do is breathe, release, and release again.
Ultimately, what compels us to journey through impossible places is God’s love filling in possible spaces – those spaces being our ‘deep’ (Psalm 42:7) desiring to know and grow in God within the world around us. As the Word attests, we were made to discover God; however, this cannot happen without the opportunity to trust Him in the desert, the wilderness, and all points in between. Remember God uses all things for good according to His perfect will purposed for those He loves (Romans 8:28). Core to our maturation as believers, we must learn to align faith and hope during adversity so any wresting against God can turn into wrestling with and for Him. Granted, this isn’t possible in our strength and requires daily sacrifice and surrender. But at the very least, we can respond to God’s pursuance and where He’s leading us, knowing we have nothing to lose and everything to gain in Christ Jesus following in His footsteps.
When we assess intelligence in the marketplace, we often refer to one’s aptitude. If one can critically think and problem-solve under pressure, chances are they’re qualified enough to do the job. But in an increasingly tolerant and diverse era, executive priorities are changing. Long gone are leadership committees prioritizing the paper and potential. These days, employers are not only looking to scale one’s ability to reason but also their capacity to relate to colleagues, clients, and social climates.
Essentially, while intellectual ceilings are still being explored, how one nurtures endurance is being implored all the more. In the construct of empathy, this promotes some imperative questions with candidates. Are they willing to broaden their perspective to extend awareness and morale? Can they pierce through emotional dissonance in high-stress situations? Are they able to resonate with the thoughts and feelings of others?
As for those in leadership, are we taking thorough inventory? Have we corporately inquired, ‘What space are we making for cognitive empathy in our workplaces? Heck, do we even know how to define and refine it, let alone shine it?‘
Regardless, to best answer these inquiries, we must start our examination in the Word. As always, let’s dive in…
Although empathy is not directly stated in Scripture, the concept is conveyed through the behaviors of Jesus and apostolic teachings on love, kindness, and understanding (Romans 12:15, 1 Peter 3:8, Philippians 2:4, and 1 John 3:17-18). While secular approaches paint empathy as little more than emotional sensitivity and selfless concern, when we consider the empathy of Christ, we discover how the virtue goes beyond shared feelings into hands-on support.
One of my favorite examples of this takes place in Luke 13:10-17. In this passage, we find Jesus teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath when he notices a woman with a disabling spirit. Unable to stand up straight, the woman seeks him in desperation anticipating her deliverance. Upon seeing her, Jesus calls her over, declares her freedom, and proceeds to heal her condition. No longer crooked, she gives glory to God stunning the Sanhedrin.
To me, this story has profound implications in the marketplace. For starters, if we want to lead effectively, we must seek the Lord and apply what He loves with whom He loves. As John 15:13 alludes, no greater love has no hidden agenda, and we must abide accordingly. As leaders, we shouldn’t wait for opportune moments to find us. Rather, we should pursue them with aligned surrender and humility. Christ in us, we don’t need to prove our solicitude, but with eager attentiveness, comfort those who struggle and rejoice with the joyful, allowing our fear of God to be set in motion. In this life, there will be times when we must bear another’s burdens; however, there will also be moments when we must enter into the victory God is unlocking within us as well as those around us. Hence, the significance of empathy in that it keeps us ready to act selflessly in any circumstance!
Furthermore, if we desire empathy, we must aspire to inspire unity in community. Depending on your vocation, this may involve relating to a customer’s experiences, playing peacemaker between colleagues, or offering help on a challenging project. No matter the opportunity, empathy allows you to take heart as you give heart. Within boundary and bandwidth, you can enter into one’s grief, talk to those who may be lonely or hurting, even approach correction with compassion. Honestly, the possibilities are endless!
Bottom line: You have a valuable part in not only enhancing the well-being of your colleagues but also improving the health of your workplace culture. Applying Scripture to your surroundings, you have everything to gain living like Jesus. The more empathy abounds, the more peaceful and effective your organization will be. No need to fear what others say or think as long as your aim is anchored to the voice and heart of God. As for those wrestling with idolatry in the form of craving influence, remember Jesus didn’t passively connect to gain followers but intentionally pursued the salvation and heart change of others. May it be so in our respective surroundings as we believe and minister in greater confidence!
Stay tuned next time when I’ll break down different types of empathy and tie them to various Scriptures and scenarios. Until then…
*For those who don’t know, Lys and I are huge fans of this practice having implemented it during our youth pastor tenure. While our time in student ministry is long gone, in recent years, we’ve efforted to tailor these studies towards vocationals as part of our His Girl Fryday initiative; hence, why the legacy lives on.
Today, we’ll examine Psalm 85 and Psalm 87 in the context of Israel’s exile. While these selections may seem random at first glance, my hope is you’ll know why I chose these chapters by the end.
As always…
Observations: If you’ve studied the Psalms in detail, you know the book is composed of 150 chapters broken down into sections. With Book 3 (Psalm 73-89) focusing on the tragedy of Israel’s uprooting and downfall of David’s family, one might think the tenor of Psalm 87 is out of place; however, this is partly due to how the sons of Korah¹ constructed their songs. Anticipating transition, Psalm 87 represents a confident foreshadowing, specifically Israel’s restoration and relationship to other nations.
A precursor to Psalm 87, Psalm 85 establishes the following tropes, all essential to our spiritual walk:
God is faithful to bring a foundation to our footsteps, especially during seasons of adversity (Psalm 85:13).
God draws near to those who fear and revere Him, who anticipate His voice and glory to manifest (Psalm 85:9).
God’s love and faithfulness aren’t mutually exclusive as they’re intertwined within the same flow (Psalm 85:10-11).
These realities set the stage for Psalm 87, in which the privileges of God’s people are recognized and celebrated. Although the chapter is relatively short, the song lacks no exclamation given the holy tribute and 3:1 ‘verse-to-selah’ ratio. The general gist is straightforward and simple: As salvation comes forth from Zion, God takes note to what He can foresee.
But perhaps my favorite part of Psalm 87 is the final verse (v. 7): “All my springsand sources of joy are in you.”
While the ‘you’ is a cite to Jerusalem, given the polysemy of the Psalms, one could deduce this refers to something more than the city itself. Again, we must discern the tone and style of the author. For instance, the sons of Korah tended to ask questions they knew the answers to but framed anyway.
Will God do ‘x’? Why, God, do you ‘y’? How long, O Lord, will you ‘z’?
In almost every case, the resolution comes in the conclusion and inspires a modern-day practice. No matter, how dire, how challenging, how impossible a situation might seem, God, in both His Word and Way, is everlasting. Even if we seem far from the promised land we seek, God’s sovereignty is constant and His love is steadfast. Knowing this, the concerns we have should not interrogate God’s nature but inquire how we must journey with Him to see greater character, intimacy, and fruit result.
As for us, there may be an uptick in storms in the weeks and months ahead, literally and figuratively. but spiritually speaking, why not let the word picture of ‘spring’, both the season and water source, refresh our inner man? As Psalm 85:10-11 and Psalm 87:7 encourage us, why not receive the fullness of God’s springs and assess our return flow? After all, every good and perfect gift is from above. All we are or hope to be, all we have or ever hope to have, all we attain or ever hope to attain is from Him. Let the people of God acknowledge this and praise Him for it.
Application:
Prayer: Lord, as the winds of change surround us, we thank you for being at hand. As we worship you in Spirit and Truth today, we’re reminded how grateful we are that you are Lord of all, the God who sustains our help and gives us everything we need for goodness and godliness. No matter what tomorrow holds, we pause now to reflect on your love, your faithfulness, and how we can allow your currents to purify the rhythms in which we believe and operate. To what needs to be surrendered, convict us with grace so we may properly deal with our baggage. To what needs to be received, we ask you to not only revive us to taste you in full but to broaden our capacity to trust your truth in an increasingly compromising world. Help us not be overly discouraged by where abandonments are occurring. Rather scale our faith to see the grander scheme unfolding and how we can partner with you in victory. Give us this day and season as bread so we may feed your sheep as fed. In your holy and precious name. Amen.
Footnotes:
The sons of Korah were Levites, from the family of Kohath. By David’s time, they served in the musical aspect of the temple worship (2 Chronicles 20:19).
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