Are you growing your business using Established Steps?
As a business owner or entrepreneur it is so easy to work ALL the time. We eat, breathe and sleep our business. Your to-do list is the first thing you think of when you wake up. If you’re like me, you keep a notebook or your phone close to your bed for those things that pop in your head when you are trying to go to sleep or awakened in the middle of the night.
Your purpose in life is likely deeply integrated into your business. Your business is linked to what you hope to accomplish for yourself and for God. Your purpose gives you passion and drive to accomplish your goals. It’s such a fulfilling way to live life. But it’s also something we need to be careful about because our business can easily take an unhealthy priority in our life. So how do you keep things in check or with Established Steps, how do you keep your eyes on God and not let your business become an idol?
Your Purpose with Established Steps
Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt on a journey which included amazing feats like parting the Red Sea. Can you image witnessing something like that – how would it boost your faith? But then two months later, it’s as if the Israelites lose their collective minds! Moses went up on the mountain to receive the 10 commandments and didn’t come back for a while. In the meantime, the Israelites build an idol and worship it. They even make sacrifices to it (see Exodus 32).
They became discouraged when they didn’t see things happening. They freaked out, felt lost and didn’t know what was going to happen next. So they took matters into their own hands rather than trusting in God’s love for them.
God has a purpose for you. When you aren’t sure of the exact next step or the right decision to make – trust God’s plan. Focus on the fact He loves you more than you can understand. You may not see things happening but God is working. He is making the way for you.
Learning a New Way to be with Established Steps
The Israelites had to learn to do things differently. They were rescued from slavery and captivity but they had been in the Egyptian culture so long it was familiar and even felt profitable to them. They understood and knew the practices of the Egyptians. Egypt was home. The Exodus was a miracle but it took them from the only home they knew.
They had to turn their trust toward God, Whom they could not see, from the idols of the Egyptians they could see. They had to learn to get out of their comfort zone. It was all new. They had to learn how much God loved them and how to love him back. The start of that difficult lesson was waiting on God’s plan to manifest, which began with Moses receiving the Ten Commandments.
When you make the choice to submit all of your business choices to God purpose with Established Steps, you must step out of your comfort zone. It is a new way of doing business – to rely on conversation with God to help you plan your business growth strategy.
God’s Way of Doing Things with Established Steps
God has an order for things. Look at how He organized the days when He created the world (read about that here). There are proper steps toward make things happen. When it comes to your business growth strategy, organize according to God’s plan and trust God’s plan for you. Sometimes it means waiting for the plan. Other times it means listening to what He is instructing and advising.
God doesn’t want us to do nothing. We have to step out in faith. When we set our hearts and intentions to follow God’s plan for us He will honor our intentions.
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 ESV
Trusting the Process with Established Steps
Trust God has a plan for you – this is so hard. You have this general idea of what God wants for your lives. You even have a personal mission or vision for your future. But then what do you do today? Do you spend money on advertising here or there? What do you charge? Should you take this client?
This is when you must again trust the love of God and have faith in His Words; taking the time to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness and love toward you.
There have been times in my life when it’s as if I had a map light in my hand and I knew exactly where I was going and where I would end up. It was all very clear. In comparison to more recent times. I’ve been instructed to cross a rushing river via stepping stones but sometimes the only stone I see is the one I am standing on. I know exactly where I’m headed – I can see the shore. But the journey requires stepping on one stone and a time.
Not knowing what is next is part of the process. It builds faith. It requires me to wait and listen. Sometimes you stay in the same place because there is something you are meant to learn.
Knowing, really knowing God’s intense affection for you will bring you peace in the times when you must step out of your comfort zone and toward that unseen stepping stone! Understanding He is always faithful and will never abandon you is essential when you have to make big decisions or just don’t know which path to take.
WHAT NEXT STEPS AND BIG DECISIONS DO YOU NEED TO MAKE?
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU TAKE THOSE NEXT STEPS THROUGH COACHING?
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com