I had a conversation recently with someone who asked me when I was called to do business as ministry. Like most people, he understood that there would be a “lightning bolt” type moment when God will speak to you and “call” you into ministry. While I am sure there are those who could argue both sides of the theology of that idea, my intent is to go in a different direction.
In my last post, I talked about how God wants all of us on a great adventure with Him. He is not looking for us to play it safe (2 Chronicles 16:9). I made the case that He wants us fully committed to Him, willing to risk it all for whatever unknown adventure He has in store for us. If that is the case, why would anyone NOT experience this great adventure?
Imagine someone offered to pay you handsomely if you would give them a shirt or a dress. The only catch is that they require you to make it on your own! If you had to take a bolt of fabric and thread, cutting and sewing it together yourself, how would you do it? If you are smart, you would find a pattern and follow it, right? The same is true for imitating other people!
In my last post, we talked about keeping our eyes on the prize. This is great advice for us to take from Paul, but sometimes it is tough to visualize. What exactly does it look like for us to get the prize. While I can certainly picture a scene with Jesus telling me, “Well done!”, it is tough for me to imagine exactly what it looks like between here and there.
Have you thought about this? Have you tried to imagine the various steps taken and decisions made between your current self and the one that hears Jesus say, “Well done!”? I have done this and it is not easy. In fact, it is downright difficult!
The funny thing? Paul knew this. He knew it would be difficult for most people to closely follow the commands of Jesus without an example of how to do it. While Paul himself was not perfect, he was fully committed to living according the example Jesus had set. Therefore he offered himself as an example.
Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
If he were following Jesus and others were imitating him, then it could work, right? While this sounds like a simple idea, it is not necessarily easy for us.
In fact, for us it sometimes seems that imitating Paul could be just as difficult as imitating Jesus! Of course, Paul was sinful just like the rest of us (Romans 7:15-25), but so much of what we learn from him is flat out hard to put into practice. Plus, we can’t sit and physically talk to him for advice when we get stuck!
It is for these reasons that I recommend we follow Paul’s advice, but we apply it to present day. Rather than (only) imitating Paul, I recommend we find someone we know that is living out the example of Christ and begin imitating them.
Sure, there are pitfalls to this practice. They are the same pitfalls you encounter when you put anyone other than Jesus on the pedestal as an example. At the same time, if we can know this and protect ourselves accordingly, I think there is value in this exercise.
First, to avoid the pitfalls associated with this idea, we need to choose someone we know about and trust. We need to know that they more mature spiritually and truly are attempting to follow the example of Jesus. Someone that is simply morally good, but not a disciple of Jesus, will only lead us astray. Eventually, it is likely that their own morals will conflict with Biblical principles.
Assuming you know someone that is truly following the example of Christ, then you also need to be able to observe their behavior. Being able to talk with them about it and understand their motivations is even better. Having them agree to mentor you along the path would be the ultimate goal!
Another key to avoiding trouble with imitating someone else is to know in your heart (and not forget) that a man (or woman) will always let you down. There is simply no way (short of imitating the example of Jesus) to find a human that can rightly lead you at all times and through all circumstances.
They will stumble. They will fall. They may even crash and burn. That is due to our sinful nature and there is nothing you can do to change it. The only thing you can do is to acknowledge it and protect yourself against it. Do not rely too heavily on their example. Do not put time with them ahead of your time with God.
A final note that you need to consider when imitating someone else is that you are you. Sounds silly, I know. But the truth is that God created you as a totally unique individual with a combination of gifts, talents, and weaknesses that no one else on earth has ever possessed. You are the only you that God has ever created. He will never create another you!
That means that you need to remember you are only imitating this godly example, not copying them. Your goal should not be to become anyone else. Remember that you are unique and should remain that way. Imitating their voice is fine, but don’t lose your own unique accent. Imitating their actions is likely good, but don’t forget your distinct mannerisms!
You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)! God has plan for you that is only for you (Psalm 139:15-16). Embrace this! It is an awesome truth and no one can take it from you.
And while becoming the you that God designed you to be, take the opportunity to follow the example of others He has placed in your path. Imitating Jesus is certainly to be your first priority (1 John 2:6), but don’t ignore Paul’s advice as well. Imitating others can be a healthy part of your maturing process.
Have you considered imitating someone else?
Do you have someone you are already imitating?
What have you learned during this experience?
At Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, I was fortunate enough to hear a message from Bob Goff, attorney and best-selling author of Love Does. During his lively message, Bob shared the following story about his first long-distance sailing trip and true north. I think we can learn something from his experience. Below is his story, as I remember it, from his perspective.
Next, I put the “chart” on the table and drew a straight line between my home marina near Long Beach, California and the marina at Diamond Head, Hawaii. I thought that should be simple enough, right?
Finally, I packed my supplies, including my trusty magnetic compass. Just before I was to leave on my trip, I decided to have a friend of mine check out my “chart” and make sure I would not get lost. Boy, am I glad I did that!
His first question, after making fun of my straight-line path, was whether I was navigating based on “true north” or “magnetic north.” I had no clue what he was talking about! I showed him my compass and he started laughing! I waited for him to bless me with his knowledge…
He explained that “true north” is based on the North Pole, which is in a fixed position. Magnetic north is not a fixed position, but is based on the earth’s magnetic field and shifts, depending on where you are on the planet.
Evidently, the difference is greater when travelling long distances. If traveling from here to the parking lot, the difference in destination may only be a few inches. When travelling from California to the Hawaiian islands, the difference could cause me to miss the entire island chain! Boy am I glad I got that last minute advice!
Folks, while I think this story was told somewhat in jest, I think the truth behind it is no laughing matter. In fact, I believe the truth behind this story could mean the difference between life and death.
If we are living our lives by chasing all that glitters and anything that brings us pleasure or fame, then we are following “magnetic north.” This “magnetic north” draws us to it and is tempting to use to navigate our lives. Unfortunately, by following this north, we will miss the whole point of this life we have been given.
Instead, by following Jesus and using His life as a pattern for our own (1 John 2:6), we are following the “true north” and will hit the target we seek – the ultimate fulfillment and use of our lives. There is no substitute for this “true north.” I encourage you to check your “chart” and make sure you are not following the wrong compass!
Are you following true north in your business?
When have you been fooled by magnetic north and gone off course?
What do you need to do to get back on course with true north?
How well do you really know the Bible? If tested on your Bible knowledge, do you think you would score in the top percentile, in the middle of the pack, or would you likely be embarrassed at your score? If someone came to you today and asked where he should look in the Bible for instruction on a certain topic, do you think you could point him to the right spot?
Unfortunately, too many Christians are not very familiar with the Bible, even though it is THE book upon which we should base our lives, both here and in eternity. While most recognize that this is a real problem, too few are actually willing to do anything about it. This is truly unfortunate – mainly because our enemy does not have the same problem.
This is my fourth post in a series of lessons from one story in the book of Joshua that we can take and apply in Christian business. The story is about the experience Joshua and the Israelites had with the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:1-10:15).
We have already learned the following lessons from this story:
1. Don’t relax after a victory; be prepared to face the enemy. (Read here)
2. The enemy sometimes comes as roaring lion, sometimes as slithering serpent. (Read here)
Now I want to give you the third lesson we can learn from this story:
The enemy knows the Bible (better than you) and will use it to his advantage.
Let’s look at how this lesson is illustrated in the story of the Gibeonites and their deception of Joshua and the Israelites. If you read Deuteronomy 7:1-6, you will see that God intended ALL of the nations of the Promised Land to be destroyed. Not a one of them was to be left alive. This is very clear.
However, if you read further in Deuteronomy 20:10-20 (especially v.15), you will notice that God allows for peace with other nations – those OUTSIDE the land that He is giving them as an inheritance.
Joshua knows this Scripture and is fully aware that he and the Israelite army must destroy all of the cities in the Promised Land. He is also aware that he must first offer peace with those outside of this area.
What Joshua did not know is that somehow, the Gibeonites also knew of this law. As a result, they used it to their advantage to achieve protection. Had they simply come in peace without a disguise, they knew they would be destroyed. Had they attempted to fight the Israelites, they figured they would end up destroyed like the other cities Joshua’s army had faced. Their only hope was to convince the Israelites that they were from outside of the land of inheritance, and were therefore eligible for peace.
How does this apply to us today, as Christians in business?
If you are in business as a Christian, you already know that there are obvious ways to ignore the Bible and make more money. You probably know many ways you could bend a rule here or there and see quick results on the financial statement. You don’t do these things because you know they are wrong and the decisions are clear.
Unfortunately, there are times when the decisions are not so clear, when the enemy sneaks up on us and we are presented with decisions we are not prepared to make. Decisions made when unprepared are rarely the right ones. Too much is left to chance.
When Jesus faced direct temptation in the wilderness, He answered with Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). He was obviously prepared. If He is our model (1 John 2:6), then shouldn’t we be prepared in the same way?
In Deuteronomy 6:1-9, we are told to remember God’s commands, teach them to our children, and repeat them wherever we go. These commands are not to leave our hearts or minds. If that is the case, shouldn’t we take more time to learn them?
Having a ready word from the Bible can give clarity to an otherwise murky situation. On the other hand, if we are not familiar with Scripture, the enemy can use it against us. He tried this with Jesus, but was unsuccessful because Jesus was prepared. If the enemy were to come at you today in your business with a twist on God’s Word, how would you fare? Would you feel confident in your response?
Determine today that you are going to take action steps to improve in this area. If this is a strength of yours, turn to someone else and encourage them to join you!
This post is the fourth in a series of posts that come from the material I recently used in a presentation I made to a small group of Christian business owners and leaders in Chandigarh, India.
The focus of this material is also the focus of this blog – God’s call for us to run our businesses as a platform for Christian ministry.
Hopefully, after reading this series of posts, you will agree that it is God’s will that we run His businesses as stewards with an eternal perspective. You should also have a better understanding of what a Christian business looks like in today’s marketplace.
Anytime we want to determine the heart of God, the first place to start is with His Word. If He has already said it, then we are in no position to question it.
After Jesus was crucified and resurrected, He appeared to the disciples. Just before ascending into heaven, Jesus gave them their marching orders through what is called the Great Commission below. I believe these are our marching orders as well.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, even to the end of the earth. – Matthew 28:19-20
We are all, as Christians, commanded to go to the nations and make disciples. This is not a suggestion or a request. It is a command. This does not mean that we are all to sell our possessions and move overseas to be missionaries. There are plenty of opportunities to make disciples right here where we are. We just have to look around.
Let’s continue to see what Scripture has to say. Take a look at this verse from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians:
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. – 2 Corinthians 5:20-21
As you likely know, ambassadors have a job that requires them to be proactive. They are to live in a foreign land, learn the culture, and represent their king or government to the foreign people. They are not to move to the foreign country and remain quiet about the desires of their king. Neither are we!
As Christian business owners and leaders, we are to live and work in this culture, but we are to recognize that this is not our home. We are to represent our King to the people of this culture. This certainly includes those in the workplace!
Finally, I want you to look at the following verse from 1 John. I think this is just as clear as the verses above!
Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. – 1 John 2:6
I don’t think this is referring to walking in sandals. My take on this verse is that we are to walk according to the Father’s will, no matter what we are doing. I believe this applies to our businesses as much as it applies to every other part of our lives.
If you believe that Scripture is God’s Word and that, as followers of Christ, we are to obey that Word, then I do not see silence in business as an option for us. We simply must do as we are commanded and Go!
According to a recent survey by George Barna and his research group, almost 40% of American adults are classified as “unchurched,” meaning they have not attended a conventional church more than once in the past year. Even worse, only 15% of adults surveyed considered their faith in God as their top priority in life! It appears the field is ripe for making disciples and being ambassadors right where we are!
For typical business leaders, most of our time is allocated to our work. We carve out some for family and leave a little left over for church on Sunday. While some Christian business leaders may buck this trend, they are in the minority. That being the case, does it not make sense to fulfill the Great Commission exactly where we spend most of our time – in our business?
What better way for us as Christian business leaders to reach those people (customers and employees) than through our business? If we exercise and example our love for God through the way we run our business, maybe we can connect with them in a way (and in an environment) they have not found in a church.
Have you considered your responsibility to make disciples?
Do you see opportunity in your business to impact others in this way?
What are your obstacles to doing this?
This is the fourth in a series of five posts on why we should run our businesses according to our Christian faith. In each post, we have looked at what light Scripture may shed on this question.
One of my favorite verses, which also happens to be one of the core verses in the Impact Discipleship series, is the following:
Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. –
1 John 2:6
Let’s consider what Jesus did while He was here on earth. During his roughly three years of ministry leading up to the crucifixion, Jesus poured into a small group of twelve of His closest followers. He taught them all they would need to know to be His witnesses after He had ascended.
Early Church Strategy
These disciples, in turn, did the same thing with their preaching and teaching in the early church. In his letter to Timothy, one of his own students, Paul wrote the following:
And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. -2 Timothy 2:2
Paul urges Timothy to teach and disciple other men that would in turn be able to teach others. In this way, Timothy would be leaving a legacy of disciples. I, for one, am glad the early disciples did this! If not for them and their commitment to spreading the Gospel, where would we be today?
We know this was Jesus’ strategy. We also know Paul used the same strategy with Timothy. And we know Paul encouraged Timothy to use the same strategy with others…who would then do the same thing!
Our Strategy?
So what does that mean for us as Christians? What does that mean for those of us leading businesses? Are we exempt from this?
Some of you may be saying that you do some of this outside of work. No problem! Keep it up! You should be doing that.
However, while we can certainly disciple others outside of our businesses, why would we ignore the 40-60+ hours per week we spend inside our business? Why would we not find some way to make that time count as well? Whether through a chaplain program, lunch-and-learn Bible studies, or just simple messages in a company newsletter, there are many ways to maximize our available disciple-making time.
Once we can get past the mental block that we have to keep faith and work separate, all sorts of opportunities to live out our faith in business can present themselves. Our first step is simply to make the decision to give God our businesses and let Him direct our paths. He is faithful to take care of the rest!
Do you agree or disagree with this logic?
What is your biggest obstacle to move in this direction?
How are you seeking God’s perspective on living out your Christian faith?