In a crowd of over 1000 people I listened to Christine Caine from Hillsong describe a faith in God that wholeheartedly believes His promises. I nodded my head when she paraphrased the book of James exclaiming that “faith without works is dead”.
I listened to her story of going against all of the human trafficking experts and tackling the real problem that exists in Greece. She said that they hired consultants to help them figure out an effective strategy to initiate efforts in Greece, and for their time and money, received a resounding recommendation to not initiate in Greece.
Her frustration was met by God’s faithfulness, as she stepped out in faith and believed in our really, really big God (instead of the experts) and they have helped over a thousand girls to safety in the past two years.
Nothing Is Too Big For Our God
Our God likes to show up in the impossible. Christine referenced the story of Sarah whom became pregnant at the age of 90, PAST the age of childbearing.
Genesis 18: 10 -11
10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”
Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.
Genesis 21:1-2
1 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.
Or for me I just remember the immaculate conception of Mary or the fact that God created the entire world into existence.
Isn’t it funny that Christians can believe that God actually created the universe, but then many of us wonder if some of the miracles in the bible are just metaphors. Hmmmm….
Are You Looking for a Miracle in 2011
Anyway, at the end of the church service, the home pastors asked the congregation if any of us needed a miracle to happen in 2011. These pastors were believing that God was going to show up in some amazing ways in the coming year, and like Christine, reminded us that our faith ensures God’s faithfulness. “What is your miracle you are believing and praying for?” they asked.
I panicked. I believe wholeheartedly in God. I love miracles. But, if I was honest, I didn’t NEED any miracles. God has blessed our family and my thoughts were more like “God, I just want to do more for you this year.”
“My problems are minuscule compared to the power of Your miracles Lord.”
“I would like my new products to get into hands of Christian small business owners.”
“I am praying for scholarships from my daughter’s first choice college.”
“We definitely need to fix some things on the house this year Lord.”
But, I am not wasting a miracle on this stuff!!!
It bothered me all the way home. I can’t think of what I would need a miracle for.
This was in the late afternoon. Sunday morning at my home church we reviewed the parable of the servants and the talents in Matthew 25:14-30.
Then the thought hit me. If I don’t think of bigger things to step out in faith for our God, I may be like the servant who buried the one talent. Yikes!
My Plans Are Just My Plans
In my business this year I have put together plans. I have a budget. I am staying on track with what I truly believe is God’s vision for Crossroads.
But…..
Am I stepping out in faith. Do I have any goals that would make sure that without a shadow of doubt, it was God who showed up to make it happen? Are my goals such that I can’t even fathom of actually achieving them in my own strength? Do my goals require my full dependence on the God who:
- gave Sarah’s aged womb a son.
- brought Lazarus back from the dead.
- created the universe and mankind.
- and came to dwell as man, died on the cross for our sins, and rose to sit at the right hand of the Father.
I don’t think so.
Back to the Drawing Board
I think I have to go back to the drawing board. I have to dream God-sized dreams.
If my true heart is to do more for His Kingdom in 2011, then ever before, I need to ratchet things up more than 10-20%.
Maybe you have huge God-sized goals for your business in 2011. Maybe you are praying for that miracle for things to just be okay….to keep your head above water. Maybe you are stepping out in faith because you know that nothing is too big for our God. If this is you, please share with us your goals. We want to join you in prayer!!
If you are like me, and you want to step out in faith in a bigger way in 2011, we will be praying as you rethink your plans and goals. That is what I will be doing in the next week or two, so please pray for me. Share your ideas with us!
As Christian’s in business, let’s be a light in this world in 2011!
Since I’m surrounded by so much media on a daily basis, I pick very carefully what I read. For some reason, when I saw your tweet about God-sized Goals, I had to click the link and read the blog post. It was very inspiring.
I’m starting off the year reading The Magic of Thinking Big and I know that it will truly take God to pull off some of the ideas I’ve been given. I aspire to run my business full-time and support my wife and children. I know that it will all happen in due time.
I will be rethinking my goals for my business, but I believe the biggest goal I have is to start a Christian Chamber of Commerce for our city. I love meeting Christian business owners and would love to pull them all together. I am praying for God to place the right people in my path to get it all started and I know He will.
Thank you for reading Devin. I looked on your website and noticed you are from Baton Rouge too!! I love the idea of a Christian Chamber of Commerce. I seem to be terrible at the networking thing but would love to get to know other Christians in business in our town. I will be praying for your business and your idea of incubating a Christian Chamber of Commerce. Thanks again for your comments!
Wow, what a challenge. It’s so easy to put God in a box sometimes.
I especially like your insightful reference to the parable of the talents!
I think the next challenge is to truly PRAY and PRAY and PRAY for God to accomplish these big goals. I know that has been a source of failure in the past for me. I had faith, I had the effort on my part – but the prayer element was lacking.
Loren, It’s funny how we all seem to have a different element that we don’t feel we are focusing on. You feel like you need to pray more….I feel I need bigger God-size goals. All in all I know it just pleases God to know that it is our heart to serve Him and please Him. Oh, and not to forget ….to depend on Him too! i will be praying with you! Thanks for commenting.
is it agianst God to have a sports bar as a christain
I came across this article whilst procrastinating to study for my exams, I hope it’s not irrelevant to comment so long after the post.
I’ve recently been searching for what my God given purpose is and recently I think God has placed it in my heart. It stemmed from my wanting to see God’s impossible promises actually being manifested for all to see and know that it was Him. My goal is to create a luxury fashion group which will achieve divine excellence as described in the bible. One of my ultimate goals is to be able to lend to nations as the bible declared that we will. The fashion industry is one of the most relevant today and I’ve yet to see His kingdom being furthered there in a real and tangible way, so I’ve set out to do this and be the example of how faith can successfully meet fashion and business. I’m still young (19) and still learning, but I believe if we relentlessly follow His principles and have His word as our guide, everything is possible. After all, he will surely do what he has said.
Your articles have been a blessing and I hope to be able to come back in due time and share astonishing testimonies.