Jesus and the Racing Rat

Jesus and the Racing Rat

This is my outline and summary of Geoff Shattock’s book from WorkTalk (see www.racingrat.gs)

Convinced that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross was the culmination of his life’s work, Geoff Shattock explores what we might learn about our frenetic world of work from the seven recorded sayings from the cross of the one man who has changed the world more than any other.

“The advantage of having a human mind is that you can take your thoughts to any place and any time you want and race with your ancestors to learn their secrets.”

1. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

  • From holding on to letting go
  • Stress Reduction – The Forgiving Soul
  • Lily Tomlin: “Forgiveness is finally giving up hope for a better past.”
  • Forgiveness requires: acceptance, commitment, thinking, perseverance

2. “I tell you the truth: today you will be with me in paradise.”

  • From keeping back to giving away
  • The Power of Hope – Whispers of Paradise
  • Being good news in a pressurised environment
  • Focussing on the needs of others

3. “Dear woman, here is your son.  Son, here is your mother.”

  • From confusion to presence
  • A Balanced Life – The Meaning of Moments
  • Being fully present in the moment

4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

  • From giving up to holding on
  • Struggle and Integrity – The God-Forsaken Path
  • Integrity in times of darkness and loneliness

5. “I am thirsty.”

  • ​From conflict to congruence
  • Being Yourself – The Obvious Heart
  • Being authentic
  • Appropriate self-expression

6. “It is finished.”

  • From task to goal
  • Getting Things Done – The Real Deal
  • Know what you’re ultimately doing it all for
  • Take time to stop and celebrate the milestones along the way
  • It is how we finish that matters; all else is preparation

7. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

  • From longing to finding
  • Spiritual Nourishment – The Grass by the Water
  • Add “Father” to all you do to ‘practice the presence of God’
  • Let words and symbols remind you of the broader spiritual context your work sits in.
  • King David was a shepherd and a soldier: rewrite Psalm 23 with your profession(s)