"IT'S JUST BUSINESS!"

{Devotional}

There are, of course, many aspects to our lives: personal, family, business and so on. So it is therefore a great daily challenge for us to maintain our focus as we make a multitude of decisions throughout our day. And, that focus for Christians is guided by the words, teachings and actions of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Nonetheless, we, as the embodiment of Christ [LUKE 17:21], find ourselves often facing compromises between what our faith calls upon us to do and what our worldly interests seem to require.

Perhaps the depiction of the following illustration will place this thought in perspective:

A successful businessman passes and finds himself facing the judgment seat of God, when the following conversation ensues…..

GOD ASKS: “You read and studied My bible, My word?”
MAN: “Yes. I did, Lord!”
GOD: “You accepted My son, Jesus, as your savior?”
MAN: “Yes, Lord!”
GOD: “You were a very successful business man?”
MAN: “I was, Lord!”
GOD: “And, a loving husband and father?”
MAN: “Yes, Lord!”
GOD: “A good neighbor, and friend?”
MAN: “Yes. I believe so, Lord!”
GOD: “I recall an incident you had with an employee…?”
MAN: “Yes, Lord! That was just business, sir.”
GOD: “And, the questionable treatment of your customers…?”
MAN: “Yes, Lord! That, too, was just business, sir.”
GOD: “Tell me, did you treat your family, friends and neighbors in like manner?”
MAN: “Oh, no, Lord! That’s personal!”
GOD: “Well, then, would you explain for me the difference?”
“ That is: ‘personal’ vs ‘business’?”
MAN: “UHMMM!!!””Well, you see…”
{Uncertain just how to answer}
GOD: “No, you see, my son, what you have failed in your life to comprehend is that it’s ALL personal, with Me!”

AND GOD CALLED OUT: “Who’s next? Oh, the politician?”


God calls for each of us to be ready to respond to life’s opportunities to serve Him “…Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will Be Done, On Earth…” and take the lead amongst His people wherever and whenever we are called to serve Him. How we respond, in the simplest or most demanding of circumstances, is a reflection of whether we are thinking of ourselves or of Him.

We may ask ourselves, the next time we are faced with a choice of what to do or how to act, if we are only living for today or if we are planning for tomorrow. Are we choosing what serves our needs and interests in the here and now or, even at the risk of our own plans and peril of our earthly desires and success, to act with God’s higher calling in mind?

Which will you choose? Which is your master? Will you choose what God expects of you to fulfill His plan and purpose for your earthly life, and your future life with Him in heaven? Will you lead others to Him in a demonstrable expression in every aspect of your daily life?

If there is to be meaning as well as purpose to our lives, the answer has already been given us. It is said that life is a journey, not a destination. And just as Christ followed a path serving the Father, our path begins with a single step [1PETER 2:21], to tread in the footsteps of our Savior. We are to lead others to salvation; by sharing God’s word through our actions, words and deeds. And we may accomplish our task by taking just one step at a time.

It has been found that in the denial of individual pursuits, and the devotion to God’s given plan, that ordinary people achieve extraordinary things; for it is God whom dwells within us and through us so that we may live for Him. Thus, in living and sacrificing as individuals for our personal God we also prosper, for our own salvation and for that of all humanity’s.


Amen!

Psalms [11:2]

The wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string, that they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart. [Psalm 11:2]