Do you have a Kingdom Strategy?
February 2023
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Justin Camp writes,
“This week, when you walk into any situation—into work in the morning; into conversations with colleagues; into the schools your kids attend; into a restaurant with friends—declare ahead of time, in prayer, that you’re bringing the Kingdom of Jesus with you. Then act like it.”
Wow, that’s powerful – and challenging! – But intentional and strategic. It’s a ‘Kingdom Strategy’, which begs the question, ‘Do we have a Kingdom Strategy that we intentionally engage each day?’ If so, what is it? If not . . . ?
Looking forward to some strong discussion on this and other things this week!
INTO THE WORD
It’s ALL for the Glory of God!
We, as leaders of our businesses and teams are the hands and feet of God to those we serve and work with. It’s not up to our Pastors or Bible Study leaders to spread the hope of Christ to the world. It’s up to us! We’re in the trenches, on the front line of the battle for the hearts and minds of the men and women we rub shoulders with every day. The way we handle ourselves and treat others should be creating a sense of curiosity in them.
We’ve been given (yes, Given) our positions of power and influence not just to grow our business as our number one goal, but to use our position and influence to integrate the gospel graciously and strategically into as many relationships and meetings as we can.
The world has no answers to the hopelessness of the heart. But you do!
Paul addresses this principle when he says, “So whether you eat or drink, (or win a new client, or start a new project, or let an employee go) or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
This requires intentionality and commitment toward a number of spiritual and leadership dynamics, and we’ll be digging into those things during our time in the Word this month.
IN THE WORKPLACE
We live and work in ‘dynamic tension’.
At first glance it seems odd that Jesus would leave us in this world after we accept Him as our Savior. For goodness’ sake, why not get us out while the getting’s good?
Obviously, God’s up to something with this strategy. It has something to do with things like ‘salt’ and ‘light’, being a ‘witness’, and letting people watch as we grow into who we are in Jesus. (Sanctification)
So through His grace and His plan we have ended up being in a position of significant leadership and /or ownership of a business! This isn’t by chance – and it’s not because we’ve planned it out and it’s all falling in line with that plan. It may be, but it’s all because of His grace and will.
In Jeremiah 29:11 God declares a principle based on His innate goodness and love for His people –
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
So we find that God has left us in a world where we have an enemy that try’s to make us compromise and fail, and has told us to be a living sacrifice in order to prove (to a watching and needy world) what Gods will is for them.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2
We’ve been called to live out our identity in Christ in a world that is hostile to Jesus and us. We’ve been called to live in a ‘Dynamic Tension’ as we go about doing what God has given and called us to do.
We’re going to jump into this discussion in our ‘Taking it to Work’ session.