“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2, RSV)
By Larry Favor
After I attended my first Challenge Weekend, I began to understand and realize: the weekend was the next step in my personal transformational relationship with my Father. I knew that by being committed to the workplace ministry of Christians in Commerce/WorkLight, I had been awakened to the path I was longing.
Over time, I included Jesus into my workdays. My heart and business continued to be transformed. Although I had a Christian-centered life, I wasn’t maintaining the connection of being in his care throughout the workday. I’d reconnect at prayer time each night and then dump my workplace anger and disappointments and ask him to take the load.
And then everything changed. While completing the preliminary steps with a new client, things were going good. He had “checked me out,” and was convinced that my company should build his luxury residential home overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
He asked me to take him again to visit a beautiful beachfront project my company had completed the year prior, and we had a great time together. When we returned to my office, he happened to glance in my car. My Holy Bible was riding along with us in the rear seat. With absolutely no hesitation, he hurried to his car, shouting at me over his shoulder, “if you’ve got that book in your car and in your life, I would never work with you.”
I was crestfallen and felt the immediate impact of the crisis. I had let my staff down. My guys might be out of work. Cash flow was certainly going to be impacted. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit stepped up and prompted me: “We’re in the boat together—have no fear.”
As well, the men of CIC/WorkLight have kept my fire lit and mentored me into believing and knowing, “Thy will be done.” This community is the workplace family that provides understanding and inspiration in times of trial or despair.
Pray
Lord, thank you for the blessing of having you in my workplace in good times and in bad. I am humbled to serve you.
Reflect
Where do you find the understanding and inspiration in your workplace, especially when things are not going your way?
Discuss
How has your work life been transformed by your love of the Lord and how has it helped you to inspire and serve the people that you work with every day?
Larry Favor is a long-time member of the Santa Cruz Chapter in California, where he owns and operates Favor Construction. In his down time, Larry enjoys spending time with his family and his horse.