The Role of Patience in Noah’s Platform
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.
Labels: Joseph Vijayam
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If you're going to work ...
Great quote from Seth Godin on work ..
If you're going to Work ...
work hard.
That way, you'll have something to show for it.
The biggest waste is to do that thing you call work, but to interrupt it,
compromise it, cheat it and still call it work.
In the same amount of time you can expend twice the effort and get far more
in exchange.
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If you're going to Work ...
work hard.
Labels: Quotable, Seth Godin
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A remarkable story of God in the workplace
"In the early 80s, whilst out working, God clearly gave me a revelation for a business. The idea was totally novel; we found that there was no one else doing such a business model in the UK.
The idea was to offer a particular household product and its installation at a fixed advertised price. The product was widely available as a DIY article, and indeed I had installed several recently, which is when God spoke to me about the business model.
I approached several manufacturers of the product, but none were willing to supply direct to an installer. They always directed me back to the builders merchants or diy chains for their correct supply route. The manufacturers could not see my idea as interesting to them. Later experience proved them very wrong indeed.
It took 2 years of searching and prayer for a way to advance the vision. Suddenly the door opened. We had supplies. We equipped and painted a van with our new logo and started advertising for installations on the local radio and in local papers.
Three days later we had to postpone all advertising, as we had an avalanche of over three months work, at several installations a day, working till 10 or 11pm!, We were inundated with phone calls day and night.
Thankfully God brought another believer to help with the installations, another installer followed later.
Within the first year, we were buying more of these items direct from the manufacturer than all the purchases of the largest diy chain in Britain.
I cannot speak highly enough for the idea of working for God, but for me, it was never about making money so I could be a heroic contributor for the church missions. It was all about Jesus being Lord of ALL of me and ALL of mine.
Ever since I had come to know the Lord in the 70s, I was distressed that the value of scriptural truth was being lost because believers seemed to only understand it, and interpret it within the context of church meetings or evangelism. When they were away from church, their direction in life was really no different to non Christians. I personally held that any scripture should prove itself in the market place, and everywhere else, if it was a truth. Limiting it to church was to my mind, robbery.
I had asked God to lead me out of my full time employment so I could work for Him as my boss. He did just that. He proved the veracity of scriptural truth, well away from any church context. It gave me an amazing testimony which was illustrated by facts on the ground, not empty theology.
They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery. Gradually other businesses started to copy our model. We then diverted into other products and the original plan became a small part of a bigger business. However what we had learned was crucial to how we ran all of our future business.
Ever since I set out to "demonstrate" what I thought was God's view of the working life, He has revealed himself in countless crazy circumstances, through dreams visions and prophetic words. That is how my business grew. He even led me to invent a simple product and patent it.
My boast is in God, and in his desire to bless those who will listen. I am really a most useless businessman with very little comprehension of proper business practices. God just brought the right people along when they were needed."
Labels: Felicity Dale, Simplychurch.com
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Work as Worship Conference with Matt Chandler and Interviews with CEO's of Interstate and Hobby Lobby
Most of you guys know that in addition to this site I also serve as Executive Vice President of RightNow. Yesterday we launched a website for our Work as Worship Conference November 3rd in Dallas (www.rightnowconferences.org/work).
We'll be interviewing Norm Miller, Chairman of Interstate Batteries along with David Green, CEO of Hobby Lobby and 15 other business and ministry leaders. Matt Chandler from the Village Church and Steve Stroope of Lake Pointe will be helping talking about why our work matters to God.
The Work as Worship Conference is going to inspire business leaders to their business or their job as an opportunity to make a difference for the sake of the gospel.
One of the unique things about the Work is Worship Conference is that it will run parallel to a conference for 2000 pastors who are looking to unleash their pastors outside the walls of the church. Some main sessions will be joint sessions between the attendees of both conferences bringing business and church leaders together for the gospel.
Seating is limited to 250 people. The first 100 to register will get 5 of my favorite business and ministry books along with copies to the videos we're creating for the event.
Can you forward this post on to 5-10 business leaders who are passionate about business and ministry to help spread the word?
PS. If you can't make the conference, there's a really powerful piece on this idea of Work as Worship that every business leader in the church needs to see. Would love to hear what you think! You can also embed it to your site from our YouTube page.
Labels: RightNow Conference, Trading in the pursuit of the American Dream, Work as Worship Conference
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The Rwanda Business Development Center Video
Love what the Regent Center for Entrepreneurship is doing overseas in Rwanda. Their business development centers are bringing high quality education and training to the young, emerging leaders of Rwanda. Now their giving opportunities for you to use your time and talent to get involved. Check out this video: http://vimeo.com/25536350
Rwanda BDC: Regent Version from Chris Ellison on Vimeo.
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Rwanda BDC: Regent Version from Chris Ellison on Vimeo.
Labels: Regent Center for Entrepreneurship, Rwanda
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David Green, CEO of Hobby Lobby on in Fortune Magazine on Business and Ministry
Mattson had long been on a mission to honor Lewis -- a noted theologian and the author of the Chronicles of Narnia -- by founding a college where Christian scholars would read the great books and immerse themselves in the visual and performing arts. His plans had lately reached the stage where he was shopping for a campus. This one -- originally the Northfield Seminary for Young Ladies, later part of Northfield Mount Hermon School -- had been on the market since 2005. Initially, Mattson had had no interest. The setting was too remote, and the asking price, even at $20 million (recently reduced from $40 million), was out of his range. But on that magical fall day something clicked. Praying, he asked for guidance and a benefactor. "If by providence we are given this property," Mattson vowed, "we will embrace it." Read the full article on Fortune's Website
Labels: David Green, Fortune Magazine, Hobby Lobby
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