MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHILE UNEMPLOYED Print Email Leaving the corporate world for full-time business coaching brought massive challenges. None of those challenges was more difficult than scratching for enough to pay rent, buy food and purchase enough gas to get to the next appointment. As I leapt from a stable nine-to-five into God’s service as a biblically based business consultant, I was (and continue to be) unemployed and oftentimes unemployable. Struggling to provide for my family wears me down as I fight through one “no” after another. Whether you find yourself in a similar situation, or you are caught in the transition between careers, or you have become an economic statistic, our challenges are similar. We have spent most of our working lives making a name for ourselves by what we do for work. But recently we have seen ourselves divorced from this identity and shaken to the core. Nevertheless, God’s Word provides an amazing example of a team of men overcoming even more substantial adversity. In the first few chapters of Daniel, four young men wage a similar battle for their identity. Their battle surpasses ours. King Nebuchadnezzar took their identity when he changed their names and put them in service to his kingdom. He challenged their beliefs by demanding that they conform to his godless culture and serve with wizards and sorcerers. Yet, in all of this, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah demonstrated a three-step plan to transform a community and regain their identities. • STEP 1: DECLARE GOD’S AUTHORITY. Daniel’s interaction is a model for grace under pressure. As Daniel and his friends served King Nebuchadnezzar, they continued to point to God as the authority in their lives. In their biblical worldview, God was still sovereign – no matter the situation. Likewise, as we face challenges, our acknowledgment of God’s rightful place as the Ruler helps put everything in perspective. • STEP 2: DEMONSTRATE GOD’S POWER. Throughout the interaction between our four young heroes and King Nebuchadnezzar, God’s power and wisdom are demonstrated. The work done through Daniel and his friends overshadowed that which the wizards and sorcerers accomplished. Likewise, as we understand God’s calling on our lives, we can demonstrate His power through our actions and words. When we allow Him to control our situation, we are no longer standing in His way. • STEP 3: STAND BACK AND WATCH GOD CHANGE A CULTURE. In Daniel 2:46-49, these young men were rewarded for their obedience to God’s authority and His calling on their lives to minister to King Nebuchadnezzar. The Israelites were protected by decree, and Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were appointed to positions of power in the kingdom. There is hope for us in this story – the hope that God will likewise honor our obedience and bless us by having us at least watch His plans for those around us become real. If you, like me, have faced extreme adversity, it may be hard to implement these steps. However, when we do, we recognize God’s lordship in our lives – including our jobs. We allow Him and His authority to be glorified, and we get a chance to see Him change the culture around us. If enough of us work at these three steps, we may see God change the world through our obedience.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 00:10:15 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015