Jesus is THE LIGHT of the world.
As believers who reflect HIS light, the Bible illuminates living our faith as business owners and stewards in Matthew 5:15-16.
“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead they put it on a lampstand, and gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Many of us are uncomfortable being in the limelight with our good works.
We would humbly stay under the bushel basket or fearfully work inside the darkness of a winepress as Gideon.
Judges 6:11 – 16. The angel of the Lord came to Gideon as he was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites.
“The angel of the Lord came to Gideon as he was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites.”
Why the unconventional behavior of threshing wheat in a winepress?
Verses 15 and 27 indicate that Gideon may have struggled with “the impostor syndrome.”
Defined as nagging self-doubt, fear of exposure, feelings of inadequacy and what I call “strengths blindness.” Others see your talent, abilities and giftings, yet you have a hard time internalizing your own strengths.
In verse 12 the angel says to Gideon, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
God sees our potential. He saw a mighty warrior in Gideon.
Yet, Gideon continues to respectfully express his self-doubt and abandonment issues.
Then in verse 14, “The Lord turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?'."
How do we live our faith in the marketplace?
Simply go in the strengths you have. God gave you the talents.
When you discover and deploy your strengths, you’re living your faith. You’re putting HIS light on a lampstand in the market place.
Maybe you shine as an Includer® for others. Coordinating a free dinner and childcare for single parents shows them they are not alone.
One CEO had an Arranger® talent and provided a telephone prayer line for any of his customers to call. Employees rotated to staff the prayer line.
A fellow business owner has Developer® and shares God’s love by mentoring young kids at a local school.
Gideon likely had the Strategic® talent and helped Israel follow God and defeat the Midianites, which brought peace for 40 years (Judges 8:28).
What are your strengths? If you don’t know – take the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment at https://brentobannon.com/strengthsfinder-2-0-access-code-strategy-session-with-brent/
What’s an example of how you have lived your faith with your strengths?
Bring GALLUP Certified Strengths Coach and Convene Resource Specialist Brent O’Bannon to your Forum Day or organization and learn the art and science of applying strengths.
Learn more at http://brentobannon.com/strengthsfinder-keynote-and-workshops/
Brent O’Bannon is the world’s 1st Gallup Certified Strengths Coach who coaches leaders, teams, and multimillion dollar companies that would like to maximize, mobilize, and monetize their strengths.