Navigating Christ and Corporate America (and Entrepreneurship)
Let me be honest and say, this blog almost didn’t happen, I was drafting an email stating that there would be no blog this month and had planned to invite you to Bible Study. I felt that I had nothing to write about for November I thought my only focus was to end the year with a bang and bible study. Not producing a blog didn’t sit well at all, it felt as if I was taking the easy way out. The truth of the matter is I felt as if I didn’t have anything to say because I didn’t have the message all together by the deadline I desired. Well, the message is here and I am ready to bring it to you.
November is National Career Development Month per the National Day Calendar it “signals a time for students and employees to focus on their future career choices”
I remember being frustrated with God because I lacked a fulfilling career, it was hard to say anything good about the company, I struggled to make as many friends as I would have liked and the commute to work drained me. I remember the joy of release I felt when I received the call that I was being laid off because my time had FINALLY COME. I was happy to be hired but I felt joy when I was released. Many times we are scared to share the good news in corporate spaces, we are scared to be a witness to someone, and many times we make career decisions based on salary, benefits, and income potential while neglecting the input of the Savior. We spend one-third which is roughly 90,0000 hours of our lives at work and why would we not want this area to be influenced by God? I can tell you 3 reasons why:
In Corporate America we are rewarded for our intellect and accomplishments, it's easy to lean on your own understanding and trends, yet Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight
In Corporate America it can be seen as a weakness or insecurity when we don’t have all the answers, yet Proverbs 4:7 Amplified states “The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].
In Corporate America pride and ego will allow us to dominate meetings and gain the approval of some men and women, yet being under the rulership of God he called us to seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you in Matthew 6:33 KLV
The point I want to drive home is the fact that God wants to be included proactively on your journey in Corporate America and or Entrepreneurship not reactively. I want you to understand that God wants you to win. He wants you to win his way, winning God's way will always produce eternal fruit, a different level of endurance, and domination like no other.
Having careers that are influenced by Christ is pretty amazing.
God's presence refines our posture so we can reflect him in all that we do and say, so therefore we can effectively do what James 1:19 New Living Translation (NLT) states:
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry
We are not bothered by people that try to put on for the culture and the pleasing of man. We are working with a sense of excellence and assurance because we are leaning on God every step of the way and he is giving us insight on how to move. We are not afraid to share Jesus when the spirit prompts us we are obedient to that, we have the kingdom perspective that our job is not our source but a resource that God provides ( FYI: re is a prefix, Re- is added to verbs and nouns to form new verbs and nouns that refer to the repeating of an action or process.)
How often have we tried to put a prefix on something that God has already established? Prefixes are added to root words. We try to add what God has already rooted not realizing that in his will is where he will water. I will drop 3 jewels on how to incorporate Christ in your journey of Corporate America.
1.Apply (accept) roles that are in alignment with your God-given assignment
This means that you need to know and be aware of your God-given assignment, when you are not aware you will apply and accept anything. Be proactive instead of reactive in asking God how( and where) he wants you to move through corporate spaces and places. James 1:5-6 (NLT)
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.
2. Be Bold- this doesn’t mean you go around saying and quoting scriptures or putting oil on people's heads in the workplace, this could something as simple as sending someone an uplifting song when you know they are having a rough day, it means to be a light. Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
3. Be Christ-Centered in purpose, people, process, and performance.
Matthew 28: 16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. Process- the life God has for us will require us to go, depart, and leave
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. People- listen people will be people some will like, you and love you and some will doubt your destiny isn’t in their hands it is in the hands of God
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. -Purpose – we have the authority to reign and rule over the things that God has for us
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Performance – this is what we are to do on the earth make disciples, baptize, teach and also be sure that God is with us always