When we are up against stiff competition, shrinking markets, financial pressures, ad infinitum, it may sometimes feel like we're in a war for survival.
Here comes an unexpected attack. The "enemy's" marketing bullets never seem to run out. Now they're launching a low-price barrage. Oh, no, they're spreading false propaganda, making outrageous claims about their product. And I think there's a traitor in our midst. Someone must be tipping our hand to the other side. Otherwise, how could they know what we're thinking?
We've got to launch a counter attack.
Should our strategy be an all-out frontal assault or should we try to flank them, picking off one of the less guarded areas? But our resources are running low. Maybe we should build a grass-roots movement by getting the locals on our side.
At times the business battles may seem fierce. We might feel a little like a beleaguered Abraham Lincoln, leading the nation through the Civil War. A reporter once asked him if he felt the Lord was on the North's side in this epic struggle. Lincoln wisely replied that the issue isn't whether He's on our side but rather whether we're on His side.
As Kingdom business people, we get that.
It's very easy for us business people to run our own show. Hey, we're entrepreneurial. We're expected to lead and make the right decisions. And, it can almost be automatic to ask the Lord's blessing on our endeavors. After all, we're Christians. He promised He would help us. When the enemy attacks, we remind God of specific Bible verses about what He is supposed to do for us.
But as Kingdom business people, we know that's not how it works. The business we're running isn't for our own private gain. There's a much greater vision than that. We're on God's side. And the best news is He's our Father. We're in a Family business. He knows how to run the whole thing. As Kingdom business people we're deeply involved in our Father's restoration plan, restoring integrity and honor to the business world.
And what a Father he is. He gives us a greater vision for what's possible, taking us beyond our own possibilities to see all that we can accomplish as His children. He encourages us. He sends the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us.
For our part, we develop the skills and abilities He has given us. We grow our business knowledge and apply it astutely because our Father has created us to be able to do this. We exercise creativity, knowing we are reflective of our Creator Father.
We're examples of God's light dispelling darkness in the business arena. Our Father allows us to experience the rewards of bringing Kingdom life, Kingdom love, Kingdom direction, and Kingdom restoration to our own business and to the business community. That's what happens because we're on God's side.