Recognizing Our Source
Pride is a very dangerous commodity for Christ followers. While we can be proud of what we have accomplished, the glory is always His.
It was early 2007, I had just finished my first year as a bi-vocational minister work with a friends business. 2006 was the first year I streamed drag racing. It was also a time of wilderness wandering. For the first time in my life, I was not sure of my direction or even who I was suppose to be. I attended a pastors teaching conference in Phoenix, AZ. Lots of prayer, spirit filled praise and worship and listening to some of the best speakers in Christendom at the time, TD Jakes, Brian Houston and Joyce Meyers to name a few. I left the conference filled with hope, but little direction.
Already There by Casting Crowns
God’s Tests
Our Christian walk is not easy or simple. God must uniquely gift us with specific life experiences in order for us to fulfill His mission for our lives. It’s like trying to build a bridge across a great expanse having never attended engineering school. Oh, you might get it done, but at what cost and more importantly, will the work stand the test of time?
We’ve seen this in our business and lives. Every time the Lord wants to grow us, He brings us a circumstance that forces us to step beyond our comfort zone. The current business expansion we are experiencing is a good example. I lost sight of my comfort zone months ago. Want to know the scary part, I like it. Yea, I’m an adrenalin junkie. Flew all over the world for the US Air Force as a flight engineer on the C-5 Galaxy, drives a race car, lives like a Gypsy, and loves a good adventure.
Obedience-Based Decisions Versus Skill and Ability
Given the events of the last few months, I don’t believe our Lord could make how He wants us to operate our business any clearer. If you allow Him, He will show you the will for your life and the path forward. You must be willing to trust and have faith in Him. That’s never an easy task, especially if you’re a get-r-done kind of guy like myself.
I never envisioned most of what has taken place over the last 15 years. It’s been an incredible ride so far and it’s just getting’ started…imagine that at 58, you’re never to old! I’m starting to understand, in a very small way, how Abraham, Moses, David, the disciples and others of faith must have felt as they were compelled forward in life while walking the path the Lord laid before them.
Big Assignments
First, let me thank our Father for His hand in our lives and everyone for your prayers. Last night we received word the big contract we’ve been waiting on has come through. We will make the details public as soon as we can.
As I look at the last 15 years, I can see how our Lord has orchestrated our lives for this day. His hand of preparation is distinct and individualized.
Our business journey started in 2001 when we built our first website for JAMA Racing Ministry. I think about our abilities then and now, the contrast is striking. We started working in video and live streaming when I was employed at Your Way Network in 2005. That same year we would start building commercial websites.
Finding The Will Of God
It seems when God is wanting to get my attention, He sends message after message with the same theme. These days I’m hearing we (the body of Christ) need to press in deeper with Him. The only way I know how to do that is to spend time with Him through scripture, prayer, teaching and worship.
Now, before we go off the deep end, I’m not talking about hours and hours here, unless you are led to do that, I’m talking about intentional time. It doesn’t matter when, each of us are wired differently, just that you take the time to do it. So pick a part of day that works for you and be intentional with Him.
Fan the Faith, Diffuse the Doubt
One would call me an eternal optimists. For the most part I see the good in life. I choose to look at the positive. For instance, what should I do if the big contract we are waiting on does not come through? No need to kick the dog or scream at the wife or throw something, it’s time to ask the Lord what’s next? If He’s been faithful to this point and the thing you are waiting on does not happen, then there is a reason. The hardest thing, accepting that we may never understand why it did not happen.
In that moment, doubt in our Lord can and will creep in, it happens, it’s normal. When I find myself in this place, I’m reminded of all the things the Lord has done for me. Where He has brought me from, where he is taking me to and all of the promises He has made to me.