Just this past week, so many people have commented to me how busy their lives have become. Sometimes our “to do” lists seem overwhelming and there’s nothing worse than facing the end of a day feeling like nothing was accomplished. Shutting work off after coming home became a daily challenge for me. My family wanted one-hundred percent of my attention, but often I was only able to give them about thirty-percent. My mind was filled with the noise from my day which left me lying awake for hours until finally I could fall asleep. Are we busier today than ever before? Does it feel like time is racing by? A girlfriend shared with me an acronym for busy; Being Under Satan’s Yoke.
The noise in my life equates to the “busy” of my life, encompassing the stuff that robs me of time with both family and faith. Think about this for a moment:
How much time do you spend in front of your computer?
How much time do you spend in front of your TV?
How much time do you spend reading the Bible?
If we truthfully counted the hours dedicated to each of these activities, it becomes quite clear where our true allegiance lies. So what are we willing to do? If I told you having a stronger faith would create a more balanced life, would you believe me?
I love the story in the Bible about Mary and Martha found in the Gospel of Luke. The lives of two sisters illustrate how many of us utilize our time today. Jesus and His disciples came to Martha’s home and while she focused on the details of preparing a meal, Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus, consumed by His presence. Martha is exasperated by Mary’s lack of assistance and demands Jesus to say something to her. Here is Jesus’ response.
“But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:41-42)
This story is comprised of four sentences, asking us to distinguish the “busy” of our lives from the “good part”. Why do we spend endless hours being busy and few hours if any reading God’s Word? There’s a real battle going on for our time, a strategic attempt to divert our allegiance. The question becomes, who’s winning your time?
Are we the “Martha’s” of the world, preoccupied with the noise that fills our days? If we placed our lives at the feet of Jesus, what impact would this have on changing our circumstances? I think we Christians today suffer from what Jesus describes as having “so little faith”. Most of us believe, but our faith is indeed smaller than a mustard seed. However, the little time we give to God can have the biggest impact on our lives. When we pray, our problems may not go away immediately, but what God gives us is a new perspective on how we should deal with it. I empathize with Martha because my instincts would have mirrored hers. But the “good part” as Jesus says, doesn’t encompass the details of our lives, but the depth of our faith. Even today we all can enjoy the “good part” simply by sitting at the feet of our Savior and meditating on His Word. Find a quiet still place today to open your heart, pray for forgiveness and earnestly seek God on all matters occupying your day. When we turn our lives over to Him, watch how quickly the noise suddenly becomes silenced, and the battle for our time becomes a divine moment to be seized.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
How Do Christians Survive in Corporate America?
This was one of many insightful questions asked last week during my talk with business students at Texas A&M. Before we address this, let me say what an honor and privilege it was to speak to these students whose wisdom goes beyond what many of us will ever achieve. I’m not talking about their level of knowledge and intellect gained from the textbooks they read. Nor am I referring to the degrees they’re striving to obtain. The wisdom I’m referring to came from their desire to know God deeply and to learn how to live as an example of their faith in the business world. I thought my purpose was to inspire them but when I left the campus that evening, I was the one deeply inspired.
It was simply one of the most humbling moments of my life to be in a room with Christians who strive every day to live as an example of their faith in a secular environment.
So, back to the question; “How does a Christian survive in Corporate America?”
First it’s important to know how deeply God desires each of us to succeed in everything we do, but we must succeed on His terms and not our own. God needs Christians in corporate America, but I’m not talking about the kind of Christian I was when I attended college. Back in those years, God was simply someone whom I spoke with occasionally on Sunday morning. I certainly spent time with Him on Christmas and Easter. But my relationship with God never involved reading Scripture or daily prayer. Jesus Christ was a name I was familiar with, but I certainly didn’t know what His name meant for my life.
As I look back on my life, had I known then what I know today, perhaps many of the mistakes I made would have been avoided.
I shared with the group three basic fundamentals found in the Bible which teach us how to lead a successful business, family, and personal life.
1. Pray: Jesus spent endless hours in prayer. He was God, yet He prayed to the Father for guidance and direction throughout His ministry. We should pray every day especially when we’re confronted with having to make difficult decisions. Many of us have worked for bosses who love to give advice and sometimes it’s helpful. However, there are other bosses whose advice may be questionable. Pray to God for His advice, knowing in our hearts He will never mislead us in anything we do.
2. Remain in the Word: Reading the Bible every day is imperative to knowing God intimately. A college degree may open many doors, however, God’s Wisdom will never be found in a college textbook. Solomon was an exceptional business man. Nehemiah knew how to motivate hundreds of people to rebuild a wall around Israel. David was known as one of the Bible’s greatest kings. Yet none of these leaders will ever be discussed in a college textbook. The Bible is our source for advice on every matter affecting our lives. If you don’t read it, you’ll never gain the wisdom God so graciously has to offer.
3. Last, but certainly not least, never forget who the real CEO of your life is: Never forget Jesus Christ who went before us, sacrificing His life for ours. Bosses may have an impact on our careers, but God has an impact on our lives. God will never tempt us and always desires what’s best for us. His Word remains consistent especially in a world where the only thing that’s consistent is change.
Pray, read the Bible and live a Christ-centered life. These three fundamentals will provide success beyond what the world has to offer.
I also wanted to commend the parents of each of these students whom I was so honored to be with. The values of faith have been instilled in their hearts and I was blessed by each of them. Let’s pray our actions as parents reflect a God-centered life so that by the time our children leave home, the seed of faith has been planted. An education is critical in providing the means to survive in the business world, but a firm Christian foundation is imperative to surviving in this world and most importantly, receiving eternal life.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.”
(Colossians 3:23-25)
It was simply one of the most humbling moments of my life to be in a room with Christians who strive every day to live as an example of their faith in a secular environment.
So, back to the question; “How does a Christian survive in Corporate America?”
First it’s important to know how deeply God desires each of us to succeed in everything we do, but we must succeed on His terms and not our own. God needs Christians in corporate America, but I’m not talking about the kind of Christian I was when I attended college. Back in those years, God was simply someone whom I spoke with occasionally on Sunday morning. I certainly spent time with Him on Christmas and Easter. But my relationship with God never involved reading Scripture or daily prayer. Jesus Christ was a name I was familiar with, but I certainly didn’t know what His name meant for my life.
As I look back on my life, had I known then what I know today, perhaps many of the mistakes I made would have been avoided.
I shared with the group three basic fundamentals found in the Bible which teach us how to lead a successful business, family, and personal life.
1. Pray: Jesus spent endless hours in prayer. He was God, yet He prayed to the Father for guidance and direction throughout His ministry. We should pray every day especially when we’re confronted with having to make difficult decisions. Many of us have worked for bosses who love to give advice and sometimes it’s helpful. However, there are other bosses whose advice may be questionable. Pray to God for His advice, knowing in our hearts He will never mislead us in anything we do.
2. Remain in the Word: Reading the Bible every day is imperative to knowing God intimately. A college degree may open many doors, however, God’s Wisdom will never be found in a college textbook. Solomon was an exceptional business man. Nehemiah knew how to motivate hundreds of people to rebuild a wall around Israel. David was known as one of the Bible’s greatest kings. Yet none of these leaders will ever be discussed in a college textbook. The Bible is our source for advice on every matter affecting our lives. If you don’t read it, you’ll never gain the wisdom God so graciously has to offer.
3. Last, but certainly not least, never forget who the real CEO of your life is: Never forget Jesus Christ who went before us, sacrificing His life for ours. Bosses may have an impact on our careers, but God has an impact on our lives. God will never tempt us and always desires what’s best for us. His Word remains consistent especially in a world where the only thing that’s consistent is change.
Pray, read the Bible and live a Christ-centered life. These three fundamentals will provide success beyond what the world has to offer.
I also wanted to commend the parents of each of these students whom I was so honored to be with. The values of faith have been instilled in their hearts and I was blessed by each of them. Let’s pray our actions as parents reflect a God-centered life so that by the time our children leave home, the seed of faith has been planted. An education is critical in providing the means to survive in the business world, but a firm Christian foundation is imperative to surviving in this world and most importantly, receiving eternal life.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.”
(Colossians 3:23-25)
Monday, October 5, 2009
When Fear Becomes A Four-Letter Word
We have reason to fear what’s going on in the world today. We live in unprecedented times. Unemployment is at its highest level in years. Statistics show fifty percent of all marriages will end in divorce. Crime is sweeping our cities and there are more people today battling terminal illnesses than ever before. With everything going on, do you ever wonder where God is in the midst of this chaos?
What if I told you the only thing we need to fear is God. Would you believe me, especially when we’re living in a world filled with tragedy and suffering?
“I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all of my fears.”
(Psalm 34:4)
Do you fear God more than the economy?
Do you fear God more than your boss?
Do you fear losing your job more than you fear God?
So what does it mean to fear God?
The word “fear” is used 260 times in the Bible, and this doesn’t include all of its other word forms such as fearful, fearless or fearsome. According to Webster’s dictionary, the definition for fear is apprehension or to be afraid. It also means awe, reverence.
So, to fear God is to revere God, having a deep respect for His omnipresent power, authority and love over our lives. Do you think our society today fears God?
“Oh that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always that that it might go well with them and their children forever.”
(Deuteronomy 5:29)
Think of the most awful thing that could happen in your life. How would you approach it; with fear or with faith? Being human, we tend to lean towards fear because it’s easier to fear what is visible rather than have faith in what is invisible. But when we allow fear to control us, we forget God is sovereign over us.
I’m always amazed by the faith of my friend who battles breast cancer. After her diagnosis, she said something one rarely hears from an individual facing a terminal disease.
“It will be interesting to see how God will use me to help others living with this disease.”
Fear wasn’t part of her vocabulary. It’s a four-letter word she chooses to omit from her life. She lives today with this disease but wears a shield of faith knowing God, not cancer, determines her eternal destiny.
The enemy doesn’t have a claim on our life. Only Christ has a claim on our life. Faith cannot prevent bad things from happening, but it can prevent the grip of fear from overtaking us. Always remember God never takes a vacation from the events in our lives so no matter what is happening around us, the Holy Spirit remains in us.
“His mercy extends to those who fear him.”
(Luke 1:50)
May we all work towards having the level of faith that my friend exemplifies, and may God be glorified knowing whatever we fear, He is our refuge. Today, let’s all treat fear like a four letter word, and work diligently to remove it by strengthening our faith and reverence for our Creator.
What if I told you the only thing we need to fear is God. Would you believe me, especially when we’re living in a world filled with tragedy and suffering?
“I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all of my fears.”
(Psalm 34:4)
Do you fear God more than the economy?
Do you fear God more than your boss?
Do you fear losing your job more than you fear God?
So what does it mean to fear God?
The word “fear” is used 260 times in the Bible, and this doesn’t include all of its other word forms such as fearful, fearless or fearsome. According to Webster’s dictionary, the definition for fear is apprehension or to be afraid. It also means awe, reverence.
So, to fear God is to revere God, having a deep respect for His omnipresent power, authority and love over our lives. Do you think our society today fears God?
“Oh that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always that that it might go well with them and their children forever.”
(Deuteronomy 5:29)
Think of the most awful thing that could happen in your life. How would you approach it; with fear or with faith? Being human, we tend to lean towards fear because it’s easier to fear what is visible rather than have faith in what is invisible. But when we allow fear to control us, we forget God is sovereign over us.
I’m always amazed by the faith of my friend who battles breast cancer. After her diagnosis, she said something one rarely hears from an individual facing a terminal disease.
“It will be interesting to see how God will use me to help others living with this disease.”
Fear wasn’t part of her vocabulary. It’s a four-letter word she chooses to omit from her life. She lives today with this disease but wears a shield of faith knowing God, not cancer, determines her eternal destiny.
The enemy doesn’t have a claim on our life. Only Christ has a claim on our life. Faith cannot prevent bad things from happening, but it can prevent the grip of fear from overtaking us. Always remember God never takes a vacation from the events in our lives so no matter what is happening around us, the Holy Spirit remains in us.
“His mercy extends to those who fear him.”
(Luke 1:50)
May we all work towards having the level of faith that my friend exemplifies, and may God be glorified knowing whatever we fear, He is our refuge. Today, let’s all treat fear like a four letter word, and work diligently to remove it by strengthening our faith and reverence for our Creator.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
