Minding God's Business

I still keep in touch with my university friends.  We meet up once in a while.

One of us is getting married.  She is the first one from the group.  All of us were very excited.  We asked a lot of questions and a lot of laughs over sushi tonight.

On the way back home, I was talking with a friend how lately I felt like God is preparing me for something and it is related to my work experience.  As such, there is a heighten sense of professionalism in what I do.  Be more proactive in matters.  Don't be sloppy. Finish well and polish everything.  Fix the problem and not the symptom. Take that extra effort to organize things and wrap it up.  Continue to learn even when I am swamped and overwhelm.

I read a story about a cobbler asking Martin Luther what to do after converting to Christianity...the story goes like this:

The story is sometimes told of a cobbler who was converted to Christianity came to Martin Luther and full of zeal for the faith asked him, “What should I do now that I’m Christian instead of being just a cobbler?” Luther asked him, “Are you a good cobbler?” The man reportedly replied, “oh yes Herr Luther, people say I’m one of the best!” To which Martin Luther replied “Then be a cobbler to the Glory of God!” 

(Source) 

I am reminded of Luke 3:11-14 when John the Baptist started his ministry.  As the crowd gathered, he gave practical advices to two group of people.

And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"

And he said to them, "Collect no more than what you have been ordered to."

Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, "And what about us, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages."

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Side Note: I am surprised to see the tax collectors are getting baptized.  The Jews considered them as traitors and sell out.  The reason is the tax collectors were Jews who worked for the Roman empire.   Pharisees, to keep themselves pure, never wanted to deal with them.  The tax collectors were 'sinners'.  Dirty people.  Certain Jewish Sect would kill them for betraying their own people.

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Anyways, the point I like to make is that the two groups asked John what to do, John gave them advices revolving around their work (also how they live as well).

The first group is the tax collectors, he told them:

"Collect no more than what you have been ordered to."

The second group is the soldiers, he said:

"Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages."

John didn't told them to go give all their belongings to the temple or a religious ritual (like...going to Sunday School, go to church more often, go to prayer meeting, join a fellowship etc....) He emphasized on working fairly and don't cheat the system.  All for the Glory of God.

This is where I want to focus on.  I work for my supervisor and also work for a higher boss, my Lord.  This is a job that God place me and craft me with the skill set to perform this role. As such, I have to strive to work as hard as I can and the best that I can (this is not a reason to over work).

Back in the university days, I love reading about successful people who started their own companies.  Michael Dell, Jack Welsh, Bill Gates, Sam Walton...I admire their passion and their entrepreneurial spirit.  Though, I never consider myself as an entrepreneur.  I don't think I make a great business person because I never very good at managing numbers and making a profit.  I can sense God is bringing these experiences and lessons back.

When I read about Hagar International how they create jobs in Cambodia for abused women and teach them how to make a living through businesses they started, that got me very excited.  Business can be a good  (Godly) thing.  I lose sight of that when we are bombarded with corporate greed and unethical behavior.  I am ever encouraged to see an organization using business to combat poverty and transform a community.

And so here I am at my work.  Learn Internet Marketing.  Learn product management.  Working with clients and suppliers.  All these are training ground for my future ministry.  All will be done for the Glory of God!!

AMEN!