When you come up with an idea that would benefit you and
your family, how much thought do you really need to put into deciding whether
or not you should pursue it? How much prayer is actually required and to what
end?
Sometimes I feel as though I have to put every idea trough
the “ringer” because I’m a Christian: Is
this what God has for me? Is this in God’s will for my life? Is this idea from
God or “The Enemy”? Whenever I get a bright idea is that not my path being
directed or is there more action required on my end? Maybe the answer is some
of all of it. Smile.
When Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, decided that he
wanted to make the world’s best chicken sandwich, I don’t think that he stopped
to figure out how he could use his sandwiches to end world hunger? Sure,
building a profitable business creates jobs, but I am pretty sure that was not
his motivation for opening the first restaurant. I think that he just had a
great business idea and model and as a result of his success, which I am sure
he praises God for, he is able to help people, hire people, give back, etc. I
mean, how do you reconcile opening a restaurant with God’s will for your life -
how does anybody outside of a career in ministry make that determination? Every
Christian was not created to be a pastor. What if your motivation is simply to
build a better life for you and your family? What then?
When we get the idea to start a project or create a
business, we always must use conventional wisdom – do the due diligence,
research, cost analysis, weigh risks and rewards, pros and cons, ROI, pray
about it, seek wisdom. And we have done all of that, what are we waiting for –
God’s verbal permission to move forward? Probably not. Peace? I would say so.
If you feel at peace about your project, if you have done your due diligence,
sought counsel and are satisfied with the risk and rewards, that may be your
cue to move. Commit that thing to God (Proverbs
16:3), commit to doing it His way and go!
Not everybody is privileged to “dialogue” with God. I do not
know that I have ever done that. I may feel an urge or at peace about something
and I use that as the indicator to move forward. But at times, I find myself
confused when after receiving peace, I entertain further internal debate trying
to decipher if it is God, the devil, or me. (A mental debate that I am sure a
non-believer never has.) This thought process could be paralyzing. I become
stuck – a prisoner of my thoughts.
I have found that there is freedom in moving. Dr. David
Cooper (pastor at Mount Paran Church of God) gave a message one Sunday about
knowing the will of God for your life (click here to go to the notes from that sermon). In it he made the point that God have given us the intelligence to
make decisions about our own lives, and that it is up to us to ask God for
wisdom and then make those choices. After asking God for His wisdom, I am
reminded of James 1:5-7 (see verse below). We have to believe that once we have
asked God for His wisdom, we have it. There is so much freedom in that! I am
afraid the too often the will of God is used as a safety net for disappointment
and a scapegoat for failure. “It just wasn’t in Gods will”, they say. Perhaps.
Or, maybe delay is just part of the process. (More on that later.) As for me, I
choose to exercise my freedom in Christ going forward. If the idea and
supporting research matches the above-mentioned criteria, I am going for it.
The important thing is that I include God in all that I am doing, talk to him
about it and be willing to be flexible. Other than that, I’m jumping in. Whose
with me?
Verses
Proverbs 16:3 - Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and
he will establish your plans.
James 1:5-7 - If any of
you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without
finding fault, and it will be given to you.
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the
one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable
in all they do.
No comments:
Post a Comment