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A major decision for anyone reading is whether you will truly be a “faith-driven” (as in the very engine, operating system, fuel, source) or a “faith-inspired” entrepreneur. The market is full of moral, virtuous entrepreneurs who throw a periodic hat tip to Jesus (#blessed) and even seek to draw upon biblical principles to enhance their ventures.
That is what Paul told his apprentice, Timothy, is like “having the form of godliness, but none of the power.” How we relate to God and how we then operate from an identity defined by the Gospel radically alters how we lead.
It’s not a simple decision point, either; it’s a daily “working out your salvation with fear and trembling” battle! I like how Skye Jethani addresses the predicament in this helpful micro-teaching on the way we relate to or with God.
In 2009 my wife and I flew to Seattle, rented a car and began an epic road trip down the famous Highway 101 (or the Pacific Coast Highway, “PCH”) all the way to San Diego with no reservations, beyond a return flight booked in San Diego. This was a rejuvenation trip so we made the rule “no talking about work!” It was awesome. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!
About 24 hours before this escape came to an end, I drove along the coast while my wife caught a short nap. The end was nearing so my mind was wandering to the stress of “re-entry.” I had been resisting the constant vibration of my Blackberry (it was 2009) so I knew the hundreds of emails boiling over for a response were ravenously looming over my head. I began to think about the meetings, the situations on hold, the people drama I needed to address and everything “back home.”
I thought about issues at my church, with some friends, a bunch of challenges in my city, a non-profit project in crisis and, and, and...it was like the weight of the world began to crush me into the bucket seat of that rental car.
I felt like Atlas, but without the body, and it was too heavy.
We came around a corner and there it was: Pfeiffer Falls. I had no idea what it was, but in the middle of the Big Sur area of Southern California was one of those vistas that just takes your breath away. For a moment it arrested my attention from agonizing self-pity to awe and worship. “Wow, God! Well done—that’s incredible!”
Redwood trees, a sandy beach, an elegant waterfall onto the beach with rocky arches, waves crashing in, a sunset forming—too much wonder to even digest. I had to pull over and just stare at it.
Then God spoke to my soul, “Mike, do you see that? I made that. Even better—that scene is a distant ripple of the world I created eons ago with mere words, unleashing untold thousands of natural ‘wonders’ across the cosmos! And, you know what, Mike? You weren’t there. Yeah, you didn’t help me build it. In fact, I don’t recall ever asking you to be my consultant or special agent. You seem to be acting as though I redeemed you to go save the world for Me. That’s My job and I’m perfectly able to complete the good work I began...with or without you. I’ve not asked you to save the city, rescue my church, heal people, solve the predicaments of the world or have all of the answers. Those are jobs you have assigned yourself. I have redeemed you to be My son. To be with Me. To listen and be totally satisfied with Me. That’s your job. Can you get back to that?”
With each truth bomb, it was like God took cinderblocks out of my backpack and blew oxygen on my soul. I was resuscitated from asphyxiating on the weight of the world that was not intended to be mine. Freedom!
My wife and I had a canvas print made of that scene we keep above our dining room table to remind me of that moment. Sometimes saying “I can’t” is a powerful move. The sooner you get there the better!
Photo source: istock
 | Mike Sharrow is the President and CEO of the C12 Group. He began as a C12 Group member in 2010 while serving as an executive pastor for a large church in Texas and owner of a healthcare strategy consulting group. With a background spanning Fortune 50 corporate settings, start ups, non-profit and local church, Mike has been discipled into an integrated life perspective around the calling all believers share to be disciple making disciples and ambassadors of Christ across all vocations and contexts. He is married to Jacqui and they have two daughters, Elayna and Sophia. Learn More » |
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