I’m an early riser. There is no better start to the workday than sitting in front of the desk at 6:30 a.m. with my first cup of coffee and the creative juices flowing.

I have had an ever-changing relationship with work over the last decade, realizing my complete lack of boundaries and the need to learn when to shut it down for the day, shifting my mind and focus to other important things, like my family. And yet, a healthy theology of work goes beyond just schedules and boundaries.

“I think the real problem with hustle and productivity culture, in general, isn’t an overemphasis on work or even the push to put a lot of hours into one’s work. Where I think hustle and productivity go wrong is the subtle promise that if you’re useful and effective enough, it earns you the right to be loved, that Belovedness can be established in and through usefulness,” said Justin McRoberts on the CBF Podcast Conversation.

McRoberts, a songwriter, coach, and entrepreneur, sat with us to discuss his new book, Sacred Strides: The Journey to Belovedness in Work and Rest.

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• Baylor’s Garland School of Social Work: Social workers can be found addressing the full scope of the human experience in churches, schools, prisons, government agencies, senior living centers, nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies. 
• Baptist Seminary of Kentucky: BSK is equipping leaders through their Homegrown Initiative, offering ministry leaders training and growth that fits into their busy schedules.  
• A Model Ministry: A Model Ministry is a registered non-profit organization specializing in safety education, policy writing, and risk assessment to mitigate child sexual abuse in ministry organizations.
• The Gardner-Webb School of Divinity: The Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity aims to equip, nurture, encourage, and support men and women for their very best service in the Kingdom of God.
• The NRSV, Update Edition from Zondervan: Explore the depth and beauty of Scripture with the NRSV, Updated Edition. With revisions based on new textual evidence, historical insights, and linguistic precision, this updated edition of the NRSV delivers a translation of Scripture based on meticulous care for accuracy and readability.  

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Andy Hale is the creator and host of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Podcast. Hale is the Associate Executive Coordinator of CBF North Carolina. He’s also served as CBF’s Church Start Specialist, the founding pastor of Mosaic Church of Clayton, and the senior pastor of University Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. Follow on Twitter @haleandy.