If you want to make a significant impact on your culture then you need God to help you build your business. Doing it in your own strength isn’t going to cut it, you need to do business supernaturally!
What is supernatural business?
Think about the word super-natural. We live in the natural and play our part in the natural, and God adds in the ‘super’. He had no problem creating the world and he’ll have no problem helping you build a kingdom business.
Having started, built and sold a business, I know how hard it can be to build something of significance in any meaningful timeframe. But what if there was a better way? What if you could do business supernaturally?
The truth is, God wants us to build businesses that bring him glory, transform our communities and bring heaven to earth. But he knows that we can’t do it alone. He wants us to have complete and total dependence on him. If you do it in your own strength, you will find yourself spinning your wheels more than you’d like.
How do you do business Supernaturally?
Doing business supernaturally is simple, but not easy. It requires daily surrendering the control of your business to God and making him the CEO. It means involving him in all the decisions, from marketing to human resources; God needs to be the one directing the business.
But how?
You need to spend time build intimacy with God. God created us for himself, to have a deep personal relationship. Many Christians acknowledge that we have a loving personal God, but have no idea how to commune and just ‘hang out’ with God.
Two of the most successful Christian business people I know take a full day off each week, usually mid-week to spend it with God. They grab their bible, a notebook and head somewhere to hang out with God, be it a lake, the beach or a coffee shop. It doesn’t matter. They spend the day talking to God, asking him questions, reading the word, seeking his will for their business, asking for directions?
So here’s what I suggest. If you are an entrepreneur then I want you to start by taking half a day off each week to spend the time with God. Go to a quiet place turn some worship music on and spend some time simply praising God and soaking in his presence. Then grab your bible and do some different tasks. Task number one is to do some random flicking, and just reading any chapter that you happen, and ask God to speak to you through that passage. Task number two is to do a devotional of some sort. It could be on any topic or one that you feel led to explore. Then lastly select a book of the Bible that you want to read, but have put off and devour it. I’d also recommending a proverb and a psalm each week. They are full of great wisdom that can be applied to business.
Whilst reading the word, take out your notebook and write notes on any thoughts and ideas that come to you. Write down any prayer points that you think of as well as any questions that you want God to answer in relation to your business. Sometimes it will seem like a flood, other times a trickle. Persevere, as God wants you to do well and he loves spending time with you.
Questions to ask God can be anything and everything:
- What are some low cost marketing strategies I can implement in my business?
- Should I go into partnership with xyz person?
- I am thinking of hiring xyz person in the business, should I hire them?
- Open the right doors and close the wrong ones
As you will notice many of these questions are very specific. They should be. The bible says we should take all things to God in prayer. Many of us have believed the lie that God is not that interested in our business. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Furthermore God is more creative than any human being, making him the ultimate business partner, and CEO.
Where do you start?
- Buy a One Year Bible – most Christians haven’t read the entire Bible – no wonder Western civilization is heading in the wrong direction, if Christians themselves don’t even know the word of God. Don’t feel guilty, take the opportunity to reinvigorate your relationship by understanding the character, the power and the God of the Bible. A one year Bible is an easy way to get through the Bible in an entire year.
- Organise some prayer partners for your business. Sincere Christians who you know will really pray for you and your business. Every business needs ‘spiritual covering’, people who are praying for both the protection and advancement of your business. Tell them about your Vision and how you want God to use your business to shape culture. Ask them to pray for you regularly (at least monthly). Send them a regular newsletter to keep them informed (no less than quarterly) so they feel engaged with what God is doing through your business.
- Seek God for your business’ Vision and Mission. What is it that he wants to accomplish through your business? Discuss it with close Christian people you trust and who understand the vital work of business as mission.