In my last three posts, I focused on a five-question decision making process. At the very outset of the decision making series, I explained my belief that any decision made from anything but an eternal perspective fails to honor God. One reader, Bernice, commented that she agreed with this, but that I should also point out that there is a cost associated with this line of thinking!
It is amazing how good my attitude can be when business is going so well. The problem is that business does not always go so well, right? When business is not going well, frustration sets in. And it does not take long!
If you are a Christian in business, then you have been compelled to compromise your faith (or how you exercise it) at some point. It may have come in the form of a small decision. Maybe it came in the form of a big one. Whatever the case, there are many opportunities to compromise. We need to be aware of this and fight hard to stand firm.
It really does not matter if you are the business owner or if you work for someone else. Either way, people will come to you with decisions or directives that can impact the way you walk out your Christian faith at work. Let’s take a look at some examples.
Not too long ago, friends of mine went through an intense personal experience that completely shocked them. They were not expecting to ever have to deal with this particular issue, but there it was staring them in the face. As we talked about the issue and the possible outcomes, none very pretty, I thought about why we are surprised at the trials we face.
It’s is as though we think life should be smooth once we accept Christ. We look at the world outside of our faith and believe that “they” (non-believers) are unfortunate because they have to live in such a messed up world. On the other hand, we think we are immune to the problems associated with a fallen world.
Sure, when pressed, we will admit that we know God sends the rain on the righteous and the unrighteous, but we really don’t think the worst will come to our door. We somehow believe we have a pass that keeps the big stuff away from us. Have you ever felt that way (even if you haven’t realized it)?
So, what is the truth?
The truth, as found in Scripture, is that there is an enemy. He is real and he passionately desires the destruction of anything and everything related to God. He does not work alone.
Just so you don’t take my word for it, take a look at the following Scriptures:
For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
Ephesians 6:12
However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.
John 15:19
You will have suffering in this world.
John 16:33
Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.
1 Peter 4:12
For some of you, this is not comfortable to read. I get it. I am not comfortable writing it. Unfortunately, that does not change the truth. And if we continue to ignore this truth, we will continue to experience trials and challenges that shock us.
This is a big deal – not because of the surprise of the trials, but because we can do something about them in advance…if we are willing!
When it comes to trials in business, we can prepare with increased cash reserves and strategic emergency plans. When it comes to spiritual trials, the preparation is not much different – at least in theory.
If we accept the existence of a spiritual enemy that is bent on our destruction, we can begin preparing our defenses as well as emergency plans. Ongoing prayer, Scripture memory and Bible study will build faith and wisdom reserves that will sustain us during the storms we will face.
Building relationships with fellow believers – both those that are ahead of us in their faith journey and those coming behind us – will create sources of wisdom, comfort, and prayer support that we will certainly need when the trials sweep over us.
The bottom line is that we cannot continue to ignore the fact that there is a war going on and we are on the battlefield. Under these conditions, there should be no shock when we are hit with the “fiery ordeal” mentioned above. Instead, because we have prepared, we should immediately execute our emergency plan.
Drawing on our own faith and wisdom reserves while seeking the guidance and support of fellow believers, we begin our difficult walk through whatever it is we are facing. At the same time, we should also “consider it pure joy” that we are facing these trials because we know that God is using them to make something tremendous out of us!
Have you ever been truly surprised at a significant trial?
Do you agree that we should actually expect trials in life?
How do you prepare for the trials you know you will face?
You have heard it said that you are either in the middle of a trial, coming out of one, or heading into one soon. Certainly for those of us in business, this rings true – especially when trying to do business as a Christian. So if trials are so plentiful, are there any benefits to going through them? Why are we told to consider them “pure joy”?
To start off, there is no question we are going to have trials in this world. In fact, Jesus told us this himself. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” Of course, He went on to smooth it over by letting us know not to worry because He has overcome the world.
Well, that is good and I am thankful for it! He is telling us that the end of the story is good and I have a peace because of that knowledge that no one else can understand. However, that really doesn’t address the trials themselves, does it? How am I supposed to get through the trials themselves?
Fortunately, there is an answer to this very question later in the Bible. Looking at the book of James (James 1:2-12), we are clearly instructed that we are to consider the trials we go through as “pure joy.” There you have it! That is all we have to do!
Seriously? That is the answer? I am supposed to just look at the trials I am going through and start considering them to be good? How can they be good?
Well, if we read on, we will see how trials can be good. Go back and read through verses 3-8 and verse 12. Here is a virtual list of the benefits we should see in our trials. James paints a pretty clear picture of how trials can benefit us in these verses, but lets dig into each benefit and try to apply it to our lives today.
The first benefit James gives us is perseverance. I am sure you know what this means and can even see some of the more obvious benefits. These would include being stronger over time and better able to hand future trials. Along with this might come a more relaxed or calm demeanor when presented with new trials in the future.
Why is this a benefit? Aside from the obvious increased strength, this perseverance also serves as an amazing witness to those around you. Not only for non-believers, but for new believers as well. As you go through a downturn in the economy, a failed business, or even just a bad month, people are watching.
They want to know how you are going to react. They want to know if this faith you talk about is real in the foxhole. Is there substance to it during a storm? When they see your perseverance through a trial (because of the strength you gained from previous trials!), they are more likely to have a desire for the faith you have!
My father used to tell me that trials build character (when I thought I had all the character I needed!). Maturity shows that this is not true – I did not have all the character I needed. Maturity is something that is gained over a period of many trials. It allows us to see how trials fit into the bigger picture of life. Maturity includes the ability to see how these trials benefit us!
As we progress through multiple trials over time, we begin to see a pattern. This pattern is that God takes care of us. He is there for us – before, during, and after the trials. He will carry us through them and heal us when they are over. Because of this process, we begin to find that we can trust God.
If we have seen how He is always faithful, we will apply that same trust to decisions that may have nothing to do with a trial. We will trust God in a crucial hiring decision or with the decision on whether or not to acquire a new business for expansion. Having the trust in God for these types of decisions adds confidence to our leadership and this clearly benefits us and those we lead!
Stay tuned to my next post for the remaining benefits!
What other applications can you see in gaining perseverance?
Can you see the evidence of perseverance in your life due to trials?
Can you think of any indications of your growing maturity?
Have you ever watched a football game and wondered why none of the players on the offensive team’s sidelines appear worried about getting hit by one of the giants that are playing for the defensive team? In many cases, they are talking, laughing, even have their backs turned to the game on the field. Why are they not thinking about the possibility of getting hit at any given moment?
Well, if you think about it, I am not asking a difficult question. The reason they are not worried or thinking about it is that they are not IN the game. When on the sidelines, they are not an active threat to the game that is being played out on the field. They are, at that point, harmless to the cause and efforts of the defensive team.
As I mentioned in my last post, I have been reading from Streams in the Desert lately and it has been good for me. While this is not replacing my time in the Bible, I am really getting some good insights from these short devotions. Here is a recent quote from this book:
We encounter giants only when we are serving God and following Him. It was when Israel was going forward that the giants appeared, for when they turned back into the wilderness, they found none (Numbers 13-14).
Many people believe that the power of God in a person’s life should keep him from all trials and conflicts. However, the power of God actually brings conflict and struggles.
Just like the football players on the sidelines, we Christians are not in any danger of facing giants (trials, conflicts, etc.) when we are sitting on the sidelines of the spiritual war going on around us. When in this position, we simply are not a threat to the opposition.
However, if we step out onto the field of battle and begin fighting for God’s glory and the eternal salvation of those around us, we should expect to face giants! We become a threat to the enemy and he will react accordingly.
I am not one of those people who run around all the time blaming satan for everything happening to me. I do not give him credit (or blame) for my sins and I recognize that many of the situations I face are simply consequences of my prior poor decisions or misdirected desires.
At the same time, I AM one of those people that believes the Bible. I do believe it is God’s Word of instruction AND WARNING to us. I take what it says to be the truth and I try to live accordingly.
The following verses paint a picture that I believe we need to recognize as being real:
After they (Paul and Barnabas) had evangelized that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God.”
Acts 14:22-23“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Matthew 10:22Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
Matthew 24:9“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
John 15:18-21Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
1 John 3:13
Is that enough Scripture to give you a clear picture? If not, then let me add one more…
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
Hopefully, this makes it very clear that there are giants for us to face if we are out on the field of battle. The Bible is very clear about this and we should not ignore what is said about these giants.
So now the question is this – are you facing giants?
Are you seeing the opposition of the enemy as you go about trying to do business from an eternal perspective? Are you seeing evidence of the spiritual battle going on around you?
Or does this post confuse you? Instead, do you feel everything is going along pretty easily? Has it been awhile since you last faced giants opposing you in your efforts at Christian ministry?
I certainly cannot (nor intend to) judge your circumstances or your own situation. All I want to do is raise the questions and let you prayerfully seek God’s face on this issue.
If you are not seeing giants coming at you in opposition to your Christian ministry efforts, then you at least need to consider that you are not on the battlefield. It is at least a possibility that you are instead on the sidelines, no longer a threat to the enemy.
If you ARE facing giants on a daily basis, do not lose heart! You are not on the wrong path simply because it is so hard. The opposite may very well be true.
You also need to prayerfully seek God to make sure you are still headed in the right direction, but you do need to know that the giants you face are to be expected if you are out on the battlefield! I leave you with this encouragement:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
What do your giants look like?
How do you maintain your faith in the shadow of the giants?
If you are not facing giants, why do you think that is?
I can remember a handful of truly exceptional days in my career that still stick in my mind. I can still remember where I was, what had happened, and how I felt. I guess it was the rush that came along with winning at something. Have you had some of these days? Do the feelings you associate with these days compare to how much you love Jesus?
You may be thinking that my last question came out of left field. Maybe you see no real connection between our exceptional days and our love for Jesus. Maybe you are right and there is not. However, I would like for you to read further and then let me know what you think.
On my exceptional days in our business, either we sold a huge number of cars or hit a stretch goal. In one case, we beat a much stronger competitor that we had been chasing for a while. In each case, I felt like I was on top of the world. Maybe you can relate to similar days in your business. Or maybe you are still looking to experience those days. Either way, read on!
In my last two posts, we have looked first at Peter’s denial of Jesus on the night before His crucifixion. We then skipped forward to the moment when Jesus was restoring Peter on the beach over a breakfast fire. This was when Jesus asked Peter a very simple question:
Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?
While this appears to be a fairly simple question, I can think of at least three different possible meanings intended by Jesus. While there is no way for us to know exactly what Jesus meant with His question, I feel we could learn from taking a look at three possibilities.
The first possibility that came to mind was that Jesus was asking Peter, “Do you love Me more than you love these disciples?” We dealt with what we could learn from this question in my first post. In the next post, we discussed what could be learned from the second possibility, “Do you love me more than these disciples love me?”
Today, I want us to take a look at a third possible meaning of Jesus’ question to Peter. This is how I imagined He could have worded the question to clarify this possible meaning:
Do you love Me more than you love these fish?
Now before you laugh and think I am being ridiculous, think about it. Peter had given up fishing to follow Jesus over three years earlier. Most likely, he had been good at it, too.
Then, the crucifixion happened and Peter had lost all hope. Of course, Jesus soon appeared and restored that hope. But think about the roller coaster Peter had been on. Think about the emotional highs and lows he had experienced.
Very possibly, his decision to go fishing (John 21:3) was an effort to restore some predictability and stability to his life. He was, at least temporarily, going back to what he knew! Haven’t you and I done the same thing before?
So, while the night produced nothing in the way of fish, the morning had just produced a catch that was too big to haul in. For Peter, this had to register as one exceptional day of fishing. It is very possible that this huge catch had brought back some of the feelings that he loved about fishing.
Now, let’s go back to the campfire. They have just finished eating some of these fish and Jesus is beginning the conversation with Peter that will restore their relationship. Jesus is also about to cast His vision for Peter’s future. He wants to make sure Peter is “all in!”
Can you now see how Jesus could be asking this question while gesturing to the net full of fish? Can you see how Jesus could actually be asking Peter if he was prepared to quit chasing the rush he got from the huge catch in order to carry out the mission Jesus had for him? Can you see Jesus asking you the same question?
Folks, our careers and businesses are full of opportunities for us to chase the same rush. The world we live in makes it so tempting to chase its version of success and the rewards that come with it. We are barraged by this temptation on a daily basis and sometimes criticized, pressured, or even mocked if we push back.
We are not in an easy position!
At the same time, we simply must push back! We must fight the temptation to follow the path laid out by the world. We must instead continue to remember our first love and chase Him instead! Our every fiber should be seek to love Jesus over the success of the world.
Keep in mind, I am NOT saying that we are to run our businesses in such a way that we are not successful – even by the worlds standards. Success by itself is not evil. In fact, we are to run our businesses so that they are shining examples of how God’s way is the right way. This will, in most cases, result in profitability and success – even according to the world.
The difference is that this success is not to be our goal. Carrying out the call that Jesus has given each of us is to be our goal. Our goal should be striving to work out our faith, through our businesses, so that we will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:14-30). If success comes with it, that is great! Give the glory to God and leverage the success for eternal impact.
I know this is not easy. It was never promised to be. But it will be rewarding. It will be worthwhile. That HAS been promised!
In this world you will have trouble!
– John 16:33
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
– 2 Corinthians 4:17
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
– 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
Have you ever loved your business more than you love Jesus?
Do you see how it can happen?
How do you continue to remember your first love?
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is found in John 16. Jesus and the disciples have just finished the Last Supper. Jesus is soon to be arrested.
In between these two major events, He is teaching the disciples some of His most critical lessons. He knows He is near the end and I feel the intensity is climbing. Then He says it…
“In this world, you will have trouble.” – John 16:33
Am I sick or out of my mind? Why in the world would I see that as one of my favorite verses? I must be missing a screw somewhere, right?
Read the rest of this post by clicking here.
Also, be sure to check out other posts on Kari’s blog! A couple of my favorites are listed below:
When I hear or read a great quote, it usually sticks with me. I have a hard time letting go of it. I posted about just such a quote last month, “Go Make Yourself Useful!” Well, I have found another quote that has captured my thoughts. This quote about our “anti-audience” comes from a post called The Perverse Monstrosity of Our Beautiful Work by L.L. Barkat over at The High Calling blog community.
In this post, Barkat described a letter she had received that criticized her writing. Evidently it was aggressively worded, because it elicited strong reactions from her friends when they read it. They encouraged her to ignore the letter. She was tempted to allow it into her heart.
Barkat went on to tell how several examples came to her mind of popular artists and performers that had received similar criticism. She realized that this was not an indication of bad work, but likely the opposite was true. Here is her quote that stole my attention…
Good work doesn’t just find audience; it also finds anti-audience.
I am sorry, but that is just powerful. Think about it…some of the best performers and/or performances are polarizing. In any given “audience,” regardless of the category of performance, there are always people that find some reason to complain about or oppose a good performance.
I guess it is human nature. I am sure that someone with training in psychology could tell me why this is the case. Regardless of the reason, I know it is true. I have seen it when watching Tiger Woods or Tim Tebow. I am sure you could name your own examples.
So, we agree that this is true.
What is the point as it relates to a Christian business?
What should a Christian leader learn from this truth that would strengthen them in their effort to integrate their faith into their business?
Why do I think this quote is so important?
My first thought is that it is important for anyone planning to “perform” in front of any sort of public audience to be prepared for criticism. As Christian business owners and leaders, we certainly fit this category! While criticism is never easy to take, it is less painful when you are expecting it. Just as we are more likely to survive a storm when we make preparations, we can better handle rejection when we know it is coming.
Look at this quote from Dave Ramsey in his book EntreLeadership:
You can’t lead, market, and/ or run a company successfully without drawing fire from people who don’t understand. So as you win prepare to be misunderstood and lied about.
As true as this is, I have an even bigger thought that is the main point of this whole post. To help me make this point, let’s take following quotes from Jesus. In the first quote, Jesus is referring to Himself and God. In the second, he is relating trees and their fruit to men and the things produced from their hearts. The Greek word translated “good” is the same in both quotes.
“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” He said to him. “There is only One who is good.” – Matthew 19:17
“A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart.” – Luke 6:45
In this context, reconsider the meaning of “good work” in L.L. Barkat’s quote…
Good work doesn’t just find audience; it also finds anti-audience.
When we look at Barkat’s quote from this perspective, it takes on a whole new meaning! Rather than thinking about the criticism drawn by good work in general, consider what it means to a Christian leader producing “good” out of the “good” storeroom of his heart.
Does it make sense to you that our “good” work as disciples of Jesus will find an anti-audience? Do you expect it or are you surprised when it happens? Do you prepare for it and deflect it, or are you tempted, as Barkat was, to give it permission to enter your heart and deter you?
Just in case you need some reinforcement, let’s take a look at more of Jesus’ words.
In this world you will have trouble. – John 16:33
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. – John 15:19
Folks, there is an enemy that hates you because of your family name. You are not of this world and therefore the world is going to hate you. This “hate” may not show itself to you on a daily basis, but I submit that it will show itself to you with a frequency that is directly proportionate to the impact you are having on people for eternity!
See, I believe “good” work finds an anti-audience. I believe that the more we do in the name of Jesus, the more resistance we will meet from the world. I believe that you know exactly what I am talking about if you have tried to run your business based on your Christian faith.
I do not believe this anti-audience is avoidable or I think Jesus would have said, “In this world you might have trouble.” In fact, if you are not experiencing what I am describing, then I would encourage you to look for hard evidence of your faith. I am NOT saying you do not have it. I am simply asking you to do a deep dive and look for any evidence someone could use against you in court if they were accusing you of being a disciple of Jesus.
If you HAVE experienced what I am describing, then I have good news for you! I left out some of Jesus’ words in one of the verses above! Let’s look again at the full quote…
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Despite the trouble we are told we are to face, we are also promised peace! We get this peace because Jesus has overcome the very world that is against us! This is great news! It is news that should drive us to do the “good work” that we know we are designed to do. We should do this good work without fear of ultimate loss. If we will do this work, we will hear the words that we should long to hear – including that same Greek word for “good”…
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” – Matthew 25:21, 23
Has your work found anti-audience?
Do you need to step up your good work?
Do you find encouragement in Jesus’ words regarding the anti-audience?