What keeps an organization on top? A strong brand? Perhaps, but we can use the example of companies like Kodak to see that even the strongest brands are at the mercy of the business leader holding the reins. Is it charisma? The dot-coms were full of charismatic, energetic businesspeople. Unfortunately, they did not yet have an understanding of how to perform business over a medium like the Internet. Is it strong policies and clearly-defined roles? Beauracracy stifles creativity and gets us looking inward instead of outward, at our customers.

Proverbs 28:2 When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.

What a wonderfully simple statement written by King David; inspired by the Lord. As leaders of business, understanding and knowledge will give our “land” (our business), stability. Wisdom provided by the Lord gives us more than just understanding of our market and competitors. God has a will and express purpose for our company and its employees. Our job as a business leader is to be a good steward of this responsibility, and to find God’s will; both short and long-term for those within our sphere of influence.

“How do we do this?” We get to know God’s voice.

“How do we know His voice?” Find out more about the Lord.

Have you ever answered the phone and not recognized the voice of the caller, but they spoke to you as if they knew you? After some time you figured out who it was, but it sure was awkward for a few minutes! Why does this happen? Sometimes it’s just a poor connection, but most often it is because we are not as familiar with that person. Maybe we have only spoken face-to-face. Perhaps we have not been in contact for some time.

For these same reasons, we do not recognize God’s voice. Most people completely ignore God, but even Christians are famous for putting God in a little box of time on Sunday mornings. Corporate worship in Church is great - we can really sense the spirit of God moving as we come together with him to celebrate with our neighbors. Let’s face it, though - there are a ton of distractions in church. Even if we can block out on the message that is (hopefully) being delivered by the spirit of God, will that one message keep us on the “straight and narrow” for the next 7 days until we are back in church? Could I fill my gas tank up once each week if I had a 150 mile round-trip commute to work each day?

“Well, if church isn’t going to be the primary source of our knowledge of God, where else will we get it?”

Suppose I am a reporter, and I am writing a story about you. How would I learn about you? I would probably spend plenty of time talking to you. I would probably do some research as well. I would find out what has been written about you, but I would primarily find things that you have personally written. These documents would give me perhaps greater understanding as to what “makes you tick”.

We can find out these insights into God by reading his written word, the Bible. Unfortunately, most Christians miss out on the greatest opportunity to spend time with our Creator. We may pick up the Bible now and then outside of church, but we just never seem to get around to reading it. When we do, we lose focus and skim through. We might even “wake up” from daydreaming and realize we just skimmed a couple pages and have no idea what we read.

How do we read the Bible to get the most out of it? Check back soon for part 2: of “Hearing God’s voice: Wisdom for long life in business” to lean practical suggestions for how we can more clearly understand God’s will through the Bible.

Have a blessed day.

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