Playing by a Different Set of Rules
Playing by a Different Set of Rules
Like King David, we cry out, "LORD, listen to me!"
It takes guts to be rebellious.
It takes guts to be rebellious and push back against society, cultural mores, and a vocal minority who would have you believe that your faith is pointless.
It takes guts to be rebellious and reject the lies pushed as truth by the press, the government, and groups that care more about theory, policy, and power than they care about people.
Isn’t that what being an entrepreneur is all about? We rebel against the old way of doing things because we believe there’s a better way. In business and life, sometimes you succeed, and sometimes you fail.
When we succeed, who gets the glory? When we fail, to whom do we turn?
When God anointed and appointed Jesse’s son, David, as his prince, he became Israel’s King David. David was a man who learned and knew his weaknesses and limitations. Throughout the Psalms he wrote, his constant cry was, “Turn your ear to me, O LORD.”
Despite being in power and authority, David often felt threatened for his life and his people. He couldn’t see the enemies closing in on him, hiding in wait in the shadows. The future was unclear and unfocused. He and his family were often under threat and attacked.
Like King David and the ancient nation of Israel, our lives, families, and businesses are under attack. We live in an inflation-filled economy managed by politicians with little regard for fiscal restraint.
The press, politicians, and prosecutors persecute the innocent while “mainly peaceful protesters” destroy lives, cities, and businesses. Critical theory seeps into our schools, churches, and workplaces. The media tells us that what we see with our eyes isn’t the truth.
The enemy can use these distractions to turn our hearts and minds away from where we need to focus our attention.
The constant barrage of negativity and gaslighting (lies repeated as truth so often that you begin to believe them) leads us to turn off the news and live our lives in cultural isolation.
How Can You Counter Negative Thinking in a Toxic Culture?
Resist the incessant voices of the enemy who wants you to believe your faith is meaningless.
Reframe the constant assertions that everyone is an oppressor unless you are oppressed.
Stand up to those who recently considered you indispensable and now see you as replaceable.
Remember this: The evil one’s weapons are lies and deceit. Hearing lies distracts you from the deception that occurs elsewhere.
Where do we turn? Like King David, we cry out, LORD, listen to me. We pray because sometimes it seems like God just isn’t listening.
“Teach me your way, O LORD,
So that I may live in your truth.
Focus my heart on fearing you.”
Psalm 86:11 GOD’S WORD Translation
Teach me how you want me to live, O LORD,
Then I will obey your commands
Make me wholeheartedly committed to you.
(NET Bible)
“Teach me your guiding principles, O LORD,
So that I can put your truth into practice.
Keep my mind focused on living wholeheartedly for you .”
(BGS Paraphrase)
If people look to you as a leader and your mind is not wholeheartedly focused on God, you risk leading them in the wrong direction and following the wrong path. You risk accomplishing things only possible without God and limited without his glory.
Keep your mind on God’s guiding principles and your eyes on the path he shows you to follow.
Like King David, pray, “Teach me your way, O LORD.”
God plays by different rules, and so should we. Ask him to teach you those rules (study His word) so you can imitate him and flourish in life and business.