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Business as Mission Network:: Turn Good Business and Missions into Great Ministry: The Role of Patience in Noah’s Platform
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Business as Mission Network:: Turn Good Business and Missions into Great MinistryTurn Good Business and Missions into Great Ministry with News, Resources, and Tools from the leading businesss leaders, authors, pastors around the world
The Role of Patience in Noah’s Platform
Guest Post by Joseph Vijayam - White collar work often requires us to go into long periods of solitary confinement in an office cubical. It may take days, weeks, and sometimes months before the results of our concentrated efforts are realized. For entrepreneurs, it may even take years and several business ventures before there is a return on the investment of the entrepreneur’s time, sweat and money. In the meantime, there will be skeptics and those who mock your devotion. But the worst attack comes from within when you loose patience and despair that our desired outcome is not coming immediately.
Noah found himself in a similar situation in Genesis chapter 6. He worked with unflinching trust in God and His faithfulness for years on a massive construction project – the ark. While he looked foolish to those around him, he knew that the results of his endeavor would be worthwhile over the long term. By some estimates it could have taken as long as 100 years to build the ark. Yet he persisted against all odds. God used this act of obedience on Noah’s part as a ministry platform to all who passed by. They may have laughed, shaken their heads or inquisitively dialogued with Noah, but none could doubt his commitment to the cause. In reality, Noah’s patient service, which ultimately led to the preservation of creation, is what left the lasting legacy that still impacts those with whom we live and work today.
Noah isn’t the only one being watched. People watch us as we work. When faced with adversity and uncertainty in the workplace we can have a significant impact on our families, coworkers and community by being committed and diligent in our work and steadfast in our faith in God’s faithfulness toward us. The world takes a short-term view of effort and reward, reflecting a desire for instant gratification. We, on the other hand, should stand apart as people who see things from a long term perspective, remembering that reality has a timeline that stretches into eternity. Patience is a sign of Christian maturity and is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22).
Responding to workplace situations with a patient attitude can set us apart from those who do not place their trust in a God who is faithful and never forgets to reward us for our efforts . . . but it may take longer than we would like. We can have a powerful witness when we wait on the Lord for expected outcomes rather than the cultural norm of seeking instant gratification.
Joseph Vijayam is Managing Director of Olive Technologies. Prior to founding Olive, he served as the Chief Executive of Matrix Computer Consultancy, India. He earned a B.S. with highest honors in Computer Science from Biola University, CA, USA, and an MBA in Information Systems from Georgia State University, GA, USA. Read more from Joseph on his blog, http://www.ministryplatforms.com.
Launching this network has been made possible by partnering with several ministries. If you're interested in information on how to be a featured business or ministry send us an email by clicking here.
Socially Responsible: The underlying goal is not pure profit, but rather a transformational business. Income-Producing Businesses: These are authentic businesses that create value-added products or services and are not sustained by donations. Managed by Kingdom Leaders: Critical decision-makers are Kingdom leaders who seek to reflect Jesus's teachings. Committed to The Local Church: The business supports partnership with the indigenous church in the community. Glorifying to God: The name of God is the ultimate object of praise, not the name of the business.
About the Network
For far too long I believe that as Christians we have assumed that a marketplace vocation and a passion for Jesus are mutually exclusive. Yet the Bible is full of people like Joseph who used their skills in administration and business to meet needs and be a light for God's kingdom.
As a business student preparing to graduate from Baylor University, I was faced with this age old assumption. It was one of those fork in the road moments. I had a passion for serving God but I also had a passion for business. Down one road lay the "American Dream" and the comfortable, defined path that corporate America had to offer. On the other hand was an opportunity to fuse a passion for business with ministry and live that life of adventure.
Since joining the team at BluefishTV and The RightNow Campaign in 2002, I've loved every moment of using an entrepreneurial drive and passion for business to further God's kingdom across the country and around the world.
As Vice President of Sales and Strategic Partnerships, I have the privilege of spending my time leading our team in ministering to over 93,000 churches that have used one of our small group studies through both Bluefish TV and The RightNow Campaign. I also have the great opportunity to facilitate partnerships with some amazing ministries and missions organizations who share a passion to help people teach.
With a passion to connect more people to the growing movement of Business as Mission this Network was started in early 2006. By providing news and information to over 5000 leaders on various resources and companies we hope to inspire and connect others to opportunities to get involved.
My wife, Sharee and I live in Allen, Texas and are actively involved at Allen Bible Church. We're also thrilled that we will be expecting a new addition to our family in just a couple of months.
