Called to Business

“Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?” (Lamentations 3:38)

Hard times from God, I am not sure I want to hear that. Surely a loving Father would not allow such things to happen. Yet His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts. He has eternal things in mind we focus on the temporal.

Our surrender to God is not only an invitation for Him to come in, but a willingness to let Him be Lord, here and now, in the good and the bad. But let us not forget the life after this one, a future with Him, a heaven to gain and a hell to avoid. His free gift is eternal life, but it cost Him his son. His love for us in intimate and infinite; it is in the hard times that we truly learn to trust.

Quick Prayer. “Thank you for the good and hard times that can come form your hand Lord.” Amen

“All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.” (Job 42:11)

What! God causing trouble? I am not sure that fits in with my “come-to-Jesus-and-everything-will-be-okay” theology. Unfortunately God is bigger than our image of Him or our attempts to put Him in a box. We may have experienced and adopted the milk of the word; well, this one is more like the broccoli—probably good for you but not a great experience.

The Lord will allow all sorts of things to befall us. We need to understand the difference between what needs to be submitted to and endured, what needs our persistence to overcome, and that which is an attack to repel. To get that level of understanding, we need an ongoing relationship with God to lead and guide us. If the experience of trouble has been sanctioned from heaven, learn well and surrender fast. It’s a much easier journey.

Quick Prayer. “If it is you that has allowed this trouble, help me to endure and learn well.” Amen

“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” (Daniel 2:22)

Daniel knew God. These powerhouse biblical figures have taken on the persona of legends. But they were flesh and blood like us, sinned like we do, failed like we do and had the concerns and worries of life just as we experience. If they were like us we can like them.

Daniel knew how to pray. He was disciplined to setting aside time to converse with God. He knew God just as we can know God. His time with God was a dialogue with the Creator, not a list of “I needs”. Daniel tells us here that God reveals deep and hidden things, knows what we can’t see and can warn and show us these things. If you want insight into opportunity for your business, you will need to walk with God closer. Insight, wisdom and instruction are accompanied by peace joy and the occasional correction. Listen and learn.

Quick Prayer. “Help me to hear, Holy Spirit.” Amen

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” (Proverbs 16:33)

When is chance just chance? Is fate really fate? Our self centered nature demands a sense of self reliance, where we can dictate our terms, influence and control our futures. So the idea that there is a random universe that God asserts His influence over occasionally has an innate appeal.

But the bad news, or should I say good news, is that God is in control: So much so that even when lots are cast, something we consider pure chance, He dictates the outcome. Just to emphasis the point the scripture tells us “its every decision is from the Lord”. We might prefer an occasionally rather than an every, but get used to it, He is in control.

Quick Prayer. “Thank you that what happens to me is not random, but has purpose” Amen

This week I thought I’d share a podcast of a talk I gave in the beautiful Byron Bay.

Thanks to c3 Byron Bay and c3 Ballina for hosting me so generously!

Monday Matters to God, so how does that actually work in a brutal commercial reality.

Based on my book Monday Matters; finding God in your workplace, I explore six ways we can express our faith and follow God at Work.

“Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.” (Proverbs 15:17)

Love is not a word we often use in a business context. Here we are talking about the price we sometimes pay to live a life with a few extras. Getting a balance in life where we know our priorities and see our responsibilities clearly can have a great impact.

We have a need to be loved and to love. Don’t let your work under the disguise of providing, destroy the very people you love. We are called to provide, and that goes well beyond the financials. We have responsibilities for ourselves, our immediate families, those around us, and the greater kingdom of God.

We need to look at our relationships for a holistic perspective in order to judge reasonably.

Quick Prayer. “I need balance in my  life to look after those I love, and I need your help to achieve it.” Amen

“One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.” (Proverbs 21:22)

Every so often we face big problems. These are not the ordinary things of life but those massive, almost overwhelming problems that rarely impact us but that can be very intimidating. This is when we really need the wisdom of God. Let Him lay down the strategy, and in His strength you can overcome and pull down the mighty stronghold.

Take the time to wait on Him for an answer. Often a big problem causes an immediate response from us. We want to act because we feel doing nothing is ignoring the problem.

Taking time to hear from God can result in a suitable response empowered by the God Who overcomes.

Quick Prayer. “Give me the wisdom to overcome this big problem Lord.” Amen

“From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.” (Proverbs 12:14)

Do you want to be filled with good things? Speak well and work hard. These two things go hand in hand. Individually they have an effect and together they produce good fruit. God says that as you operate in this way, you will be filled with good things and rewarded.

In business and our personal lives, we impact people. What we say has the power to build up or tear down. That influence on people often determines our success in all realms of life.

We can say good things and do good things. Both are important and part of our witness at work.

Quick Prayer. “Thank you that you value good words and good work.” Amen

“Gossips betray a confidence, but the trustworthy keep a secret.” (Proverbs 11:13)

Gossip is described in Scripture as a “choice morsel,” and often it is. Perhaps it is a juicy bit of gossip only a few know. Or maybe we have been entrusted with a secret, a confidence has been entrusted to us. How do we respond?

This is an important question because our ability to keep a secret speaks to our character. Being a person of integrity with an ability to be trusted makes us a safe place. When we are trusted, what we say is listened to. It takes a lot to build trust and only a single event to destroy it.

Our reputations are intrinsically intertwined with the reputation of Him Whom we serve. When we let ourselves down, we tarnish God’s reputation because we declare Him as our Lord.

Quick Prayer. “Please help me to be trustworthy Lord.” Amen

“Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.” (Proverbs 1:19)

There is a big price to pay for doing things the wrong way. Often it looks like an easy answer; a quick win, cut a few corners, no one will know. But God knows and sees and is concerned.

In business we face many choices of integrity every day. Let’s commit to doing it God’s way and let Him sort out the consequences. Let’s do it right and honor Him.

There is a price to pay for doing it the wrong way and a reward to reap for doing it right. You will know in your heart what is right and what is wrong. His law is now written on your heart, and when we incline our ear to our hearts, we will know what is right

Quick Prayer. “I will always do it the right way Lord, please help me.” Amen