We were several hours into a very productive exercise to establish the company’s core values, and it looked like we were headed for extra innings as we sensed that something was still missing. Our initial brainstorm naturally rolled into a series of debates on the wording needed to capture each important concept.

We had six solid core values on the board, and each one paid special tribute to the virtues we most aspired to model as a team. But there was another concept that had yet to be revealed. We didn’t know what it was yet, but several team members shared their strong belief that a seventh core value was still waiting to be uncovered.

Unfortunately, we needed to stop for the day. If we didn’t wrap it up soon, we’d be late for our team activity and subsequent dinner reservations.

That’s when Nick Bezner decided to call it a day by telling the team, “Let’s just rest on the seventh.”

Wait, what did he just say? Rest on the seventh?!

That’s it. That one phrase said it all.

For a company that seeks to honor the whole person by making faith and family health a top priority for all, resting on the seventh is an incredible way to honor the Sabbath. Furthermore, the idea that we rest on the seventh is another reminder that our jobs do not define who we are or where we derive our worth.

Even though Nick simply meant to encourage the team to take a break from worrying about the possibility of another core value, the impact of his words was more powerful than all our previous attempts to formulate a seventh statement. We wrote the additional core value on the whiteboard.

Rest on the Seventh.

Then we wrote a sub-bullet that read:
Sabbath like you mean it.

It all made sense.

The Undivided Life core values start with number 1, Lead with Faith, and end with number 7, Rest on the Seventh.

We model the final core value weekly as we “rest on the seventh.” Collectively, we practice what we preach, avoiding the typical toil, labor, and distractions of the working world (aka emails, spreadsheets, and work texts) during the weekends and especially on Sundays. Instead, we encourage worship, leisure, and meaningful downtime for all.

The results speak for themselves. When the new week starts, we show up saying, “Thank God it’s Monday,” as we get to do it all over again. Resting on the Seventh also profoundly impacts our families and friends. Lifers disconnect from work each weekend to be more present to spouses, kids, and friends. The intentional time spent with the ones we love leads those people to support and encourage the good we do at work each week at Undivided Life.

Do you and your teammates rest in the seventh? Do you look forward to each Monday morning as a chance to solve issues and engage in meaningful work with and for others?