“For we live by faith and not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
By John E. Daly
There are times in our careers when the workplace is just not working for us. I discovered this when one of the law firms I worked for decided to change the compensation system. Although I was told I would be getting a raise in my base salary, the change in commission structure would result in a pay decrease.
A month later, I left to become a partner in another law firm. Unfortunately, I soon learned that I had failed to do my due diligence and had landed in a firm with financial and ethical issues. I soon found myself in debt to the firm, which made my life miserable. Within the year I gave them my notice.
It was during this period that my prayer time got very serious as I contemplated starting my own law firm. I wanted other job opportunities to open up; however, the Lord’s consistent answer was to “go forward in faith.” After a Christian business attorney offered to help me incorporate my own firm, Jesus was my new partner.
I found new ways to bring the Lord into my practice with my clients. I would often ask in my intake interviews whether potential clients were people of faith. If they answered “yes” I would ask if they wanted to pray about their case. If they answered “no” I would just move on and try to be an example of faith. I found that most answered “yes” and I saw many miracles over the years where God did some amazing “legal miracles.”
As a result, the Lord transformed my workplace and allowed me to become the attorney he wanted me to be.
Pray
Lord, I ask that you walk with me in my failures and successes in my workplace. I place my faith in you.
Reflect
When has the Lord listened to your prayers, but suggested a different direction? How did that turn out?
Discuss
Has there been a time in your career when you misjudged a job opportunity and had to pivot? How did the Lord help you?
John E. Daly is an attorney in Burnsville, Minnesota. He and his wife, Peg, have two sons and seven grandchildren. He serves on the National Growth Council for WorkLight.