Read and Apply God’s Word

Going all the way back to the fall of 2000, I experienced an awakening of sorts when I realized how little I actually read the Bible.  If it really is God’s Word, then I need to treat it that way and begin learning it.  For the past eleven years, I have been doing just that.

Not only have I been spending time in the Bible virtually every day since then, but I have also been working hard to apply what I have learned.  Whether that application is in the home, at work, in the community, or even in the church itself, I want to live out what I read.  I cannot say that I have it all figured out or that I am consistently applying all I have learned, but I am working at it every day.

The Business Belongs To God

The area of application that I feel is most unique today has been my work.  God has shown me through this process that my business is not separate from my spiritual life.  My “spiritual life” is my whole life and my business is a part of that life.  As a result, it must be given over to Him.  Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that we are not our own, but we were bought at a price.  I believe this includes our temple (body), time, treasure, and talents.  This business is part of my time, treasure, and talents and therefore belongs to God.

Having made this decision, I have been working for the past eight years to transform this business into one that pleases Him and advances His kingdom.  This transformation has created many challenges.  We have encountered resistance along the way, both from friend and foe alike.  At the same time, God has been faithful to sustain our efforts.  He has given us victories when we most needed them and has blessed us with wisdom to see the fight for what it is.

A Long Journey

Since I made the decision to turn this business over to him in 2003, we have not looked back.  We are eight years into this journey.  In some ways, we have come a long way – in this blog, I will be describing some of the projects, initiatives, processes, and policies that have resulted along the way.  In other ways, it seems we have just barely started the journey – I will also be describing the challenges causing this feeling.  Either way I look at it, I believe we are fulfilling God’s purpose for this business.

Regardless of where you are in your journey, I hope you will find the information here helpful.  I also hope you will pass it on to someone else who may need it.  Feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions!  I look forward to the journey together!

Are you on a similar journey?  Should you be?  

What is God’s purpose for your life and business?  

Are you ready to take the leap?

photo by Joe Diaz

Now, I could enjoy the rest of the conference…or so I thought.

The Article

As we sat there waiting for the first session, I saw a magazine laying on the floor.  Looking to pass the time, I started to flip through it.  The magazine was called Business Reform.  I had never heard of it before.  As I flipped through the pages, an article caught my eye.  It was about David Browne, former CEO of LensCrafters.

The article talked about how he was successful in his job, but he was also having problems reconciling his Christian faith with his business management style.  While attending a men’s weekend Bible study retreat, the Holy Spirit convicted him with Matthew 20:25-28.  In this passage, Jesus told the disciples that they are to be servant leaders, just as He came to serve.  From this point forward, Browne no longer separated his faith from his business.  He went on to execute a wholesale change of LenCrafters, basing its management principles and philosophies on the Bible.

This idea was revolutionary to me.  I had never considered this approach.  It had never even crossed my mind even though these were the exact same issues with which I was struggling.  I sat there in silence for a few minutes, just thinking about whether that could work for me.

The Book

Because I am a “more information” guy, I went straight to the conference bookstore booths to see if I could subscribe to the magazine.  I found the Business Reform booth and asked how to subscribe.  I was told I could do it right there and I could choose a free book as well!  I chose the book with picture of the man with a briefcase on the cover and went back to my seat to think some more.

Two weeks later, I came across that book again – I had forgotten about it, thinking a free book likely wouldn’t be that exciting.  I was wrong!!!

God had pricked my heart again, with the same type of story!

The book was called Loving Monday by John Beckett.In short, the book tells Beckett’s story from joining the family business, taking it over upon his father’s death, and facing multiple challenges from the start.  After spending time in the Bible seeking answers, he came to realize that he could run his business as a ministry.  The results God achieved through him and his decision are incredible.

Again, I was speechless.  God had pricked my heart again, with the same type of story.  I had felt the excitement when first read the article.  Now He was doing the same thing again with the book.  I could feel Him moving in me like I have never felt before. Something was changing in me.

Are you giving God the opportunities to do this in your life?

Has God done this in your life?

How have you responded?

photo by R/DV/RS

As an adult, I was running the family business, involved in the church, and giving my children the same faith foundation I had been given.  In fact, I thought I was doing everything right until just before my 30th birthday.  It was then, on a long flight to Hawaii, that I read a book and my life changed forever…for the better!

The book was called Left Behind.What stopped me in my tracks was not the storyline concerning the rapture or really anything related to the end times.  What stopped me in my tracks was the fact that the new believers depicted in the story began reading the Bible as if it was food and they had not eaten for years.  They consumed it every chance they had.  They learned from it and tried to align their lives with it.

I could not help but realize that I had been a Christian for almost 20 years and had never felt that way about the Bible.  While I owned multiple copies of the Bible in my home, I only read one in church while following along with the preacher.  I did not study it.  I did not seek answers in it.  I did not try to align my life with it.

While I owned multiple copies of the Bible…I did not study it.  I did not seek answers in it.  I did not try to align my life with it.

I cannot explain to you how this realization made me feel!  I was devastated and ashamed that I had been so blind for so long, but at the same time excited at the possibilities I could see!  I was embarrassed at the time I had wasted, but I was energized by the thought of correcting the problem.  I had so many ideas!  I could not wait to get home and begin studying!

Have you experienced anything like this?  Is this your blind spot?

Do you treat the Bible as decoration in your home or your irreplaceable life’s instruction manual?  

What, if anything, do you need to change about your view of the Bible?P

Photo by Phantom1311 / iStock