Faith and Business 101: God is Our Promoter
I receive a daily devotion each morning from Chuck Swindoll. This past week there was a reading that really hit home with me and reminded me that no matter how much time and energy I put into something…God is the promoter, not man!
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5: 5-7
As a mom in business, there are millions of ways to go out and promote what we’re doing. In fact, it’s a great idea to go out and do all the promoting! We put PR in our budgets and we count on that every month to help bring in sales. However, do you believe—and put into practice—the fact that PRAYER is more important than PR?
Chuck Swindoll says this: “Throw yourself on the mercy and care of God. This does not mean there is no place for planning or goal-setting or diligence; it just means we refuse to make success our private shrine.”
There is nothing wrong with setting goals and advertising, but when we put all of that before God, we are just wasting time. When you are feeling overworked and underpaid, stop and pray. Ask God to bless your efforts. Ask Him to be the Lord of your time, talent and treasure.
My goal each morning is to commit my entire day to the Lord before I start anything else. I’ll be honest and tell you that as a mother of a toddler, this doesn’t always happen. But even as I go throughout my day, I ask the Lord to be the center of what I’m doing. That my purpose and plans would be what He wants them to be—not my own agenda.
God is our promoter. No amount of promoting on our part is going to get us where we want to be without God’s approval! That makes a HUGE difference in the way I run my business.
The day I received this devotion, It was a direct message from God to my heart. I was stressed and had way too much on my plate. I needed to stop what I was doing and refocus my heart and my business on the Lord. I needed a break. I asked God to bless what I had already accomplished for the day…and then I took a much needed rest.
The devotion ended with this:
“Instead of spending all those hours pushing and promoting, we’ll wind up with more time for friends and family—and ourselves. Seems almost too good to be true, doesn’t it? It isn’t.
Submission + Humility – Worry = God-Honoring Success with Satisfaction”
Until Next Time…
MariLee
Copyright © MariLee Parrish, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved
You are so right! Nothing I do makes any difference if I’m not in line with God’s will. That is my true heart’s desire. He knows exactly what I need, how to use me, and what will benefit my life and others.’
I adore this post! This came at a time where I am launching a business, handling clients, redesigning my blog, and doing way too many things.
I really needed this input today. I’m printing it out and taping it to my wall. Thank you!
How funny. I was JUST thinking about this last night. I watch one friend (and business associate) after the next, keeping quiet about God, their faith, their beliefs and the importance of every beating heart, created by God himself. Why? Because they are so worried that if they speak out, they will lose business or contacts.
I have learned over the months and years that God will bring me the business I need – the business I can handle. I have learned that when I speak up and do as He is prompting my heart to do, I am blessed even more. More works comes…better work…He has that power. It’s really that simple. No human has the power to give you exactly what you have been destined for. Only God can do that and I promise you – He can work AROUND any human – above them, below them, over them and under them. He can move heaven and earth to make sure your needs are met. I don’t have a single friend who can claim that power over me or follow through on it.
On another note, I HAVE lost business over speaking out and do you know what? Within days, God brought someone BETTER to replace the ones that walked away.
So let’s speak up!! You don’t answer to any human at the end of the day or at the end of your life. Only to God.
And baby…”His ways are higher!!!” Amen, sista ;-)
What an AWESOME post! SO true! Thank you for being a part of MOF, MariLee! <3
Thanks for posting your comments, everyone! You have brightened my morning! :-) I’m praying for each one of you as I type!
Blessings,
MariLee