James Bond

Secret Agent 007, James Bond, is in a near panic and sweating bullets, knowing that he is about to be painfully sliced in half vertically.  As the laser beam sears its way toward him, burning inch by inch through the thick steel table he is strapped to, 007 says to the evil villain Goldfinger, “You don’t expect me to talk, do you?”  To which Goldfinger candidly replies, “No Mr. Bond.  I expect you to die.”  And then, assuming that the situation is well in hand, Goldfinger leaves the scene.  But like all great Hollywood heroes, James Bond somehow manages to wriggle out of the dangerous situation just in time, once again safe to track down more evil villains.

As a youngster, I was captivated by Bond movies and couldn’t wait for the next one.  Each one of them had a similar content where Agent 007 escaped a life-threatening situation through some ingenious method so that he could go save the world.  In addition, every Bond movie brought a surplus of creative gadgets Bond used, like his watch with a little buzz saw in it that cut through chains, or his fancy car that shot an oil slick out the back if he was being chased.  And to be honest, there have been more than a few times when I wished I had an ejector seat in my car.

Despite the plethora of Bond movies that have been made since, I often think back to that dramatic scene in Goldfinger.  More than 60 years ago when the movie came out, the laser may have been a wild, fictitious idea, but it has certainly become a reality in the modern world.  It is a light of focused energy concentrated but controlled to the point where it can be used to perform the most delicate of surgeries or cut through the thickest of metals. 

At CityLinC, we are blessed individuals who bring energy, dedication, and a sense of purpose to each of our roles.  We are passionate about our work, and that leads to a laser-like focus to do our best for the clientele we are supporting.   We appreciate the fact that our passion matters because it joins purpose with performance.  This understanding leads to innovative solutions, improved problem-solving, and a more engaging workplace culture. 

Passion at CityLinC means that we have a deep connection to the organization’s mission.  We take pride in learning and improving, while hopefully inspiring others to do the same. It is this elusive quality of passionate people working together that gives CityLinC a deeper, more sustainable connection to the ministry God has given us.   

Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, and not for men.”   

This strategic verse is one of the cornerstones of our ministry.  It lays out a basic principle on how we go about our business.  All of us consider our jobs to be an act of service toward God and others, and we take it seriously.  The passion we share with the community is what will propel our organization well into the future. 

Since Creation, God has given mankind a special work to do.  My prayer this week is for God to grant us the strength and wisdom to never let go of our passion for this work. It provides the energy and focus that sustains all of us. 

With love,

Pastor Mike Howard