Tag Archives: walk away

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Are You Willing To Walk Away?

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I love movies. One of my favorites is the movie Heat, with Robert Deniro and Al Pacino. Likely my favorite scene in that movie is the coffee shop scene. During this scene, Deniro, a bank robber, is talking face to face with Pacino, a cop. During this conversation, Deniro shares advice he once received about being willing to walk away from anything.

walk away

Don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner.

While Deniro is referring to “heat” in the sense of law enforcement catching up to him and his crime-filled lifestyle, I think we can apply this same advice to our own lives and even our businesses.

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Do You Love Jesus More Than Your Business?

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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?

love Jesus

Is There A Connection?

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!

Peter And Jesus

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?

What Did He Mean?

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?”

Love For Fish!

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.

Return To Fishing?

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.

Does Peter Love Jesus More?

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?

Worldly Success

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.

Success Is Not Evil

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.

Difficult, But Rewarding!

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?

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Are You A Missionary Or An Impostor?

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For the past year or so I have been writing this blog, one of the ideas I have been trying to explain is that we are all called to play the part of minister or missionary. I believe that, as Christian business owners and leaders, we are just as called to ministry as those on the church staff. While I have argued this from several angles, the following quote from C.H. Spurgeon makes our mission clear!

Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor.
– C.H. Spurgeon

missionary

Your Reaction?

What is your reaction to that quote? Do you say, “Yeah! I buy that!” or do you say, “Huh? That can’t be right.” when you read it?

I think most of us would agree that the truth of this quote rests on how we define one word – missionary. If we immediately assume that a missionary is someone living in a hut in the jungle of South America, then I would have to disagree with Spurgeon. I personally do not believe we are all called to leave our homelands and run off to some remote region for mission work.

Another thought from many is that a missionary may be someone that stays in their homeland, but they certainly quit their job and live off of the support of others. Maybe they volunteer full-time in a ministry or even live on the streets in an effort to reach those who have no other choice.

Dictionary Definition

What does the dictionary say?

missionary

Missionary = Leave Home?

Most people think that being a missionary requires leaving wherever they currently live and work to go somewhere else and spread the gospel. As you can see, this definition does not specify leaving anything. We can be missionaries if we are (1) on a mission, and (2) in a territory! Who says your “territory” can’t be where you are right now?

Most people have never considered this possibility that THEY could actually be a missionary without changing their address or their job.

I Felt The Same!

I have to admit I was a member of that group at one point! In fact, I went so far as to try to walk away from our family business because it never occurred to me that I could do ministry and business at the same time! Once God showed me the two can coexist, I have been a missionary in the marketplace!

In light of this revelation, I see Spurgeon’s quote as on target. If we are truly disciples of Jesus Christ, then a change has occurred in our lives. If this change is real, then there is no way we should be able to stay quiet about it. If the love of God is in us, then we cannot help but spread that love to those around us.

Changed By Impact!

David Platt described it this way. Imagine a friend of yours walked up to you and apologized for being late to meet you for dinner. Imagine they offered the excuse that they were changing a flat tire on their car when an eighteen-wheeler hit them from behind. They go on to tell you that though it really hurt, they got up, dusted themselves off, and finished changing the flat tire so they could finally meet you for dinner.

Would you believe them? Would you think they were nuts? Certainly someone that has been hit by an eighteen-wheeler would look and act differently after that impact, don’t you think?

Well, Platt asks, shouldn’t someone that has come face to face with Jesus, the creator of the universe, look differently as well? Should we not be forever changed as a result of our salvation?

Changed By Salvation!

If this is true, it would be reasonable to expect someone that experienced a life-saving experience with Jesus to share that experience with others, regardless of the setting or circumstances. Someone filled with God’s love should be eager to share it with anyone in their immediate circle of influence – and beyond!

Today, I encourage you to be a missionary right where you are! I am not suggesting you take a bullhorn to work, but that you start spreading the love of God wherever you go – work, school, or the soccer fields. Spread this love to anyone that needs it. You do this and you are full-fledged missionary!

Have you already realized this truth?

What are you doing differently now versus before?

What is God leading you to do next?

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Have You Thought About Walking Away?

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Walking AwayI made a new friend recently. During our conversation, he told me about his decision to walk away from a very successful business because he felt God calling him to something different. He did not know where God was calling him, but he knew he had to follow. I think you can draw inspiration from his story – whether you have ever considered walking away or not.

Mark Cress’ Story

In 1993, Mark Cress was part owner of an Inc. 500 company. At 37 years old, he was extremely successful and it appeared he had nothing but blue skies ahead. But then he started to realize that God was calling him to something else. Once he and his wife made the decision to follow God’s call, things changed rapidly. Within months, he was walking away. He had sold his business to the employees, sold his house on the lake, and enrolled in seminary. In less than a total of three years, he had started the organization that is now Corporate Chaplains of America.

Corporate Chaplains of America (CCA) now ministers to more than 800 different business locations. Those locations represent thousands of employees served on a weekly basis. Can you imagine the impact God is having through this organization?

My Story

As I listened to Mark tell his story, I saw a few clear parallels to my own story. At the same time, God sent us down different paths.

All of my life, I had been working toward taking over my family’s business, an automobile dealership group in Georgia. In 2001, I was General Manager of two of our seven locations. I planned to expand and take the company to new heights!  I had visions of grandeur and everything looked like it was headed that way.  But when I began spending time in God’s Word, I realized that everything I wanted and was working for was only temporal.  None of it would really matter in 1,000 years.

My Revelation

I realized I was only giving God the Christian requisite one day per week (actually, just Sunday morning) and an occasional Wednesday evening.  The rest of the time was spent trying to juggle my job in the car business and my family at home.  Even when I added the daily quiet times, God was still not the central focus of my life.  This was not the way He wanted it!

Searching For Answers

I began searching for answers.  If God wanted all of me, what would that look like?  I had heard of people getting “called” into full-time ministry, but I did not feel that call.  I knew of others, like Mark Cress, that were “called” into the mission field, but I did not feel that either.  What exactly was God asking me to do? What was I created to do?

Was I Walking Away?

To tell the truth, I did not have a clue!  I only knew I was not comfortable with the status quo and had to change it. I sat down with my father and explained that I was walking away from the business.  Because I was already in a significant leadership position within the company, I told him I did not want to do it effective immediately.  I wanted him to have time to replace me and make any other arrangements that may be necessary.  This would likely involve downsizing the business and could take a couple of years.

I did not feel God calling me to leave right away, only to let go and be prepared to walk away.  I had no idea where I was going or when.  I only knew I wanted to be spending more of my time working for God – whatever that entailed.

Called To Stay In The Business!

Fast forward eleven years, and I am still in the business! It was almost two years after that conversation with my father that God showed me where He wanted me. Though I thought I was walking away, He showed me that He had placed me in the position I currently held for a purpose and a season. He wanted me to do all I had envisioned in ministry, but He wanted me to do it through the business. As a good friend recently told me, God wanted me in the car ministry!

So that is exactly what I am attempting to do. I have said it many times – I do not have it figured out. Yet I keep showing up. I am determined to allow God to have the eternal impact He desires, through this business. I am only the steward of this business for now. Until He changes my direction, that is the role I will play.

Eternal Impact Either Way

See, Mark Cress followed God’s plan and he is enjoying the fruit of that decision. There is incredible eternal impact coming from his decision to step out of his business and start CCA as a non-profit organization. For me, walking away is not in the cards (at least for now!). God has called me to stay in business and I expect there will be eternal impact from that decision as well.

My point is this…regardless of where God calls you, you can have an eternal impact. There is no reason to think that you have to be a paid staff member of a church to do ministry. Seek God’s guidance, but know that He just may want you doing ministry right where you are!

What would you do?

Do you think this move was too drastic?

Have you thought about walking away?

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Are You Willing To Walk Away?

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I love movies. One of my favorites is the movie Heat, with Robert Deniro and Al Pacino. Likely my favorite scene in that movie is the coffee shop scene. During this scene, Deniro, a bank robber, is talking face to face with Pacino, a cop. During this conversation, Deniro shares advice he once received about being willing to walk away from anything.

walk away

Don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner.

While Deniro is referring to “heat” in the sense of law enforcement catching up to him and his crime-filled lifestyle, I think we can apply this same advice to our own lives and even our businesses.

Strangers In This World

See, we are strangers in this world (1 Peter 2:11). It is not our home (Philippians 3:20). We will only be here a short time (Job 8:9). Everything we have here will be destroyed by moth and rust (Matthew 6:19). It will burn one day (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

At the same time, we are disciples of Jesus…not just for this life, but also for the life to come. We are God’s children, now and forever. The treasure we lay up for ourselves in heaven is also eternal. It will never be destroyed by moth or rust. It will never burn.

Can you see the contrast here? Our relationship with this world we live in is temporary. Our relationship with our Lord and Father is eternal. Therefore, our attachment to the things of this world should be temporary and our attachment to the things of God should be eternal.

How Does This Apply?

How does this look in our daily lives? How does it look in our businesses? How should it look in our relationships?

I think we are to take the mindset of Deniro and apply it here. We should not become so attached to anything here in this life that we are not willing to walk away from it. We should be be so consumed with our love for Jesus and the life we want to live for Him that we would not hesitate to walk away from anything if He asks.

Would You Walk Away?

What if He asks us to walk away from a highly profitable business deal because it would require us to be unequally yoked with an unbelieving partner? What if He asks us to walk away from our home town because He has another plan for us? What if He asks us to walk away from our dream home so we can have more resources to give? What if He asks us to walk away from some friendships we enjoy because they are damaging our commitment to Him?

Do you get the picture? Whether material things, business deals, or relationships, I believe the Bible is clear that we are to have a detached mindset and a willingness to walk away from them. Here is a quote from Watchman Nee in his book Love Not the World.

I am not suggesting by this that we must try to dispose of everything; that is not the point. The point is that as God’s children, you and I may not accumulate things for ourselves. If I keep something it is because God has spoken to my heart; if I part with it, it is for the same reason. I hold myself in the will of God and am not afraid to give if God asks me to give. I keep nothing because I love it, but I let it go without regret when the call comes to leave it behind. That is what it means to be detached.

God Honors The Decision

I went through this very process myself roughly eight years ago. I posted about it here (Why I Decided To Walk Away…). While I have not yet seen the end of this path, I can give you my word that I would not change my decision for anything in this world! God has honored that decision many times over since then. I have confidence He will continue to do so going forward.

I still struggle with this mindset in every area of my life. It is not easy to maintain a willingness to walk away. I fail at it as much as I win, but I will continue to fight. I am determined not to attach myself to a temporary world. I will trust Him instead.

What attachments do you have?

Have you seen God honor your decision to walk away from something?

Is He asking now?

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Why I decided to walk away from the family business…

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Walk away from business

As the oldest of three sons, I was always the one expected to take over the family business.  It was all I knew.  It was all I had ever pictured as my future…and I was walking away.  After six intense months of reading and studying my Bible and praying, I was certain I had to make a significant change in the direction of my life.