Business Management 101

Riding home with a friend after a super bowl get together, we diverged into a diverse range of some very interesting conversation about the football game, politics, economic development and business management. However, it was our talk about business management that pushed me to make this particular post.

We got into talking about the expansion projects at the various gas stations around the island (Nassau, Bahamas) only to learn some very insightful information regarding them. Apparently, the gas stations aren’t “owned” by the people that bought them; in fact, all they bought is the right to manage them under the governance of the owner; the owner being the gas company itself.

Now why is this sooooo interesting that I just had to write about it before I went to bed? Simply because I sometimes get into this thinking that I own my life, when in all actuality I just manage my life, but it is truly owned by another, and that other is God.

The gas station manager cannot make decisions affecting the state of the building or the system of business without first consulting with the owner; likewise, I cannot make choices with regard to the way I treat my body or the system by which I govern my life without first consulting with God, through His Holy Spirit. It’s really just that simple. Now you have to understand that without trying, I tend complicate certain things I interpret, which isn’t always a good thing, but this lesson I learnt tonight was just flat out simple and applicable.

Another interesting comment made by my friend tonight was the fact that one of the stations near where he lived had been out of service for a little while because the owner (the gas company itself) had not sent out the authorized service personnel to fix the problems with the pumps. Isn’t that amazing? No, not that the gas pumps haven’t been fixed; gosh, some economist you will be with that kind of perspective… No, what I think is interesting is that it isn’t the responsibility of the manager to fix any problems that may arise with the gas station; it’s all up to the owner. It’s really the same with us and God. All we have to do is put in a call to Him, no fancy prayer needed, and through faith, believe that He will fix our problem.

God owns our life, but he has extended to us His Kingdom, which in this sense is not a physical kingdom, but rather a power and authority to manage our lives and that which He has given us, but it must be managed according to His divine will and purpose.

Luke 10:17-20 (NJKV)
17 Then the seventy[e] returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather[f] rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 10:17-20 (Amplified Bible)
17 Then the seventy[a] returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather[b] rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 12:31-34
31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things[c] shall be added to you. 32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

In closing, I just want to reiterate that we are all managers of our own lives, but like the gas stations, we too have an owner. Maybe you didn’t know this and didn’t know who to call on when you had a problem that needed fixing. (or maybe I’m the only one that have problems.) Maybe you didn’t know that it really isn’t your responsibility to fix it, but God’s. Sure, this can sound a little out there because you or I have never “seen” God, but I don’t need to see air before I believe I can breathe it. And really, even the gas station manager doesn’t work face to face with the corporate owner of the gas chain he works for; no that guy is out playing golf. In any event, when we seek the kingdom of God, He adds to us all that we need, and that also comes with the ability or power to effectively manage it according to His will and purpose for our individual lives.

I’m not entirely sure if you have noticed, but this entire blog website is called “The Kingdom Manifesto” which I basically use to mean, “His Power Revealed”. I am continuing work on a separate project with the same name which is a rather practical and comprehensive look into how The Kingdom Manifesto will actually bring to the surface God’s divine purpose for our individual lives that has been buried in the depths of our very own hearts. From time to time I may add some parts of it to this blog, but I will give reference to it once at a stage for publication.

But, for now, the most practical thing I can tell you is that you should get some sleep, and since I am a big believer in taking my own medicine, I am forced to adhere to my own advice.