While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
The Apostles were truly called and set apart by God. How many times as a leader in my business and mission organization, have my ideas and plans and energy emanated from the Holy Spirit? How many times has the Holy Spirit confirmed these ideas through other leaders? How many times in meetings have other leaders I was meeting with even cared to seek God’s mind for direction?
This started me on a review process. I rewound the tapes of my life and found myself lacking in depending upon God, especially when I had the energy, funds, and knowledge to move forward on my own. Interestingly I seem to be more faithful at listening to the Lord in my business interests than in my mission interests. This needed to change. Specifically, this resulted in the forming a “working” board for the NexusB4T, passing off the leadership of Empresas Vida, and tightening up the communication and accountability of the OPEN Network leadership team.
In OPEN, the leaders are making more decisions together, and are listening better, but we want His best. He is showing us new ways in doing missions, ways that are unheard of and unheralded in the church world today, so we need His plan for moving forward in His ways.
With this in mind, the OPEN LT is meeting for three days this week with leadership guru Jerry Daley, to listen to God together. We yearn to hear God’s plans for B4T and OPEN together. For one leader to hear God’s voice is good, for the whole leadership team to hear His voice together is better. Do pray for us. Pray we’d hear His words, so as to know His work and the ways in which He wants it to be done.
And while we are meeting, ask yourself how well are you doing at involving the Lord in the work you are currently doing for Him?
PATRICK LAI and his family have worked in SE Asia for over 37 years. His experience in doing business with Jesus has brought him to understand the meaning of work and worship in the marketplace. He started 14 businesses in four countries, six of which are still operating. Patrick and his wife, May, mentor and coach businesspeople working where there are few or no Christians. Check out Patrick’s latest book, Workship, now available in paperback and e-book.