Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as
members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Here the Apostle tells us to let the same peace that
ruled in Christ’s life to also rule in their hearts. We make up a single body
and that is the body of Christ, so be thankful in all that happens even when
you can’t be thankful still let your heart rejoice so that others know how thankful you are for what you have.
A young Christian named Anne Snyder spent her first three
years after college trying to break into the world of journalism while trying
to serve Christ through her career. Then she landed a dream job. David Brooks,
a nationally known columnist with The New York Times, hired Anne to be his
research assistant. She acted as his sounding board, reading early drafts of
his columns and offering story ideas.
Anne is exceedingly intelligent and articulate, so it
wasn't a surprise. But it was surprising that this young, professionally green
evangelical Christian was working so closely with Brooks, an influential public
voice, prominent journalist, thought leader, and non-Christian.
Fast-forward to mid-2015. The same David Brooks released
a critically acclaimed book, The Road to Character. In the beginning of Brooks'
acknowledgement page he offered this glowing honor to his new research
assistant, Anne Snyder:
Anne C. Snyder was there when this book was born and
walked with me through the first three years of its writing. This was first
conceived as a book about cognition and decision making. Under Anne's
influence, it became a book about morality and inner life. She led dozens of
discussions about the material, assigned me reading from her own bank of
knowledge, challenged the superficiality of my thinking in memo after memo and
transformed the project … I have certainly stolen many of her ideas and admired
the gracious and morally rigorous way she lives her life. If there are any
important points in this book, they probably come from Anne.
Of course there's a story behind this acknowledgement:
Anne's vibrant faith—and her God-given brilliance, uncompromising work ethic,
and extensive reading list—had influenced Mr. Brooks in a profound, and
relevant, way. Her faithful presence made a difference. In good faith, Anne
made Christianity a little more relevant to one person, who happens to write
bestselling books and a regular column for The New York Times.
[Adapted from David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, Good Faith
(Baker Books, 2016), pages 35-27]
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