I’ll be the first to say I don’t have the business expertise of some of the others people who share their writing gifts on Basics Matter. I certainly don’t look as good in a little black dress as some of the authors on this page. (I’d need a chainsaw with backup chains to shave my legs.) But I do know something that all of the business leaders and entrepreneurs would agree upon when it comes to dealing with business associates, family and friends.
When you say something, mean it.
If you’re a business person and someone knows they can’t take you at your word then you are going to have a hard time growing and establishing your business. If your friends know they can’t take you at your word, you’ll have a hard time keeping anyone as a close friend.
Words matter.
Words have power.
Words tend to get easily overlooked when it comes to the aspects of our daily life.
If you’re a Christian, there’s a good chance that some of your words get overlooked without even realizing that you’re doing it.
For example, do you sing praise songs on Sunday morning?
There are many praise songs inviting Jesus to take all of us. Hillsong United’s “Take All Of Me” is very plain in the lyrics:
Jesus Christ take my life, take all of me…
But if you’re saying “we don’t do that! We only use hymns!”, you’re not off the hook thanks for Frances Havergal in 1874:
Take my will and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine.
If you’ve sung any of those words…did you really mean it?
Did you really want Jesus to take all of you?
Are you ready for God to tell you to stop charging every customer who comes in and provide your services free to someone who needs it but can’t afford it?
Are you ready for God to have your business fail so you can reflect living a Christ-like life in the midst of your dreams shattering around you?
Are you ready to turn down what seems like your dream project because God said “no”?
Are you ready to pick up and move to another town…another state…another country because God said to go?
But you sang on Sunday morning that you wanted Jesus to take all of you!
Did you mean what you said?