Stepping Out
When you hear the term “stepping out,” how does that impact you?
- Does it excite you?
- Does it make you anxious?
It might depend on the circumstances, right?
A Better Way of Life
On the surface, most CEOs probably get into business because they’re looking for a better way of life. To achieve. To conquer. And, to be their own boss. To have more money. To have less stress.
“And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” — Ecclesiastes 4:4
Generally, this is the case.
The Journey
Of course, there are also the more altruistic motivations: to make a difference, improve lives, share the gospel, and help others.
These are all good things.
But, whatever you might claim as your motivation, there are always challenges.
“…. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” — Matthew 5:45
No matter your “why,” we will all experience a similar “what.”
In business, you may encounter situations that can make you faint of heart. The threat of lawsuits. An actual lawsuit. Creditors. Angry customers. The threat of a competitor quashing you. Governmental regulation and enforcement.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Such is the title for the Clint Eastwood western that came out in 1966.
If you are a C-level executive in business, that’s how I might describe life as an entrepreneur. There’s the good, the bad, and the ugly.
And, such was the case when God was delivering Israel and leading the Jewish people into the Promised Land.
An Age-Old Story
In the Bible, we read of God’s deliverance of the Jewish people who spent 400 years being oppressed in Egypt (Read Genesis 15:13).
In fact, you may recall that when the Jewish people finally left Egypt, the Egyptian leaders were none too happy about it. And, set out to pursue them.
At some point, the Jewish people were pinned down between the impassable Red Sea and the Egyptian soldiers. They were trapped. The impassable seemed impossible. They could not retreat, and they could not seemingly move forward.
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!'” — Exodus 14:15
Stepping Out
Stepping out. Moving forward. Moving out.
Trapped and facing disaster, God called Moses (the CEO of the Jewish people) to get moving!
“Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.” — Exodus 14:16
And, so he did.
Later in the Story
After spending 40 years in the desert, it was time for the Israelites to finally enter the Promised Land.
And, it is here where we revisit the same theme.
There’s the promise of a better life. But, as you now know, the better life always comes with a big but.
“They gave Moses this account: ‘We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large.'” — Numbers 13:27–28
As we see here, lots of good things … but!
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly — Reprise
Surely, the land was exceedingly good! But…
“But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.’ And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, ‘The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.'” — Numbers 13:31–33
Don’t be Afraid
A familiar theme throughout Israel’s journey was “Do not be afraid.”
Are you a Believer? Has God chosen you to lead an organization? And, are you convinced of His call and direction?
If so, then take heart. And, don’t be afraid!
There won’t seemingly be a shortage of challenging situations. You may, at times, feel like a grasshopper.
I say convinced of God’s direction because we must always inquire of The Lord to discern and know where He is calling us. If not, then it can be disastrous. Read this article: Go To Plan.
DAC
To help you remember this, let’s use the acronym DAC.
Be encouraged as follows:
D: Don’t be afraid. “When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.” — Deuteronomy 20:1
A: Advance. “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.'” — Exodus 14:14–15
C: Completely. “Completely destroy them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you.” — Deuteronomy 20:17
As a CEO convinced of God’s direction, it isn’t enough to just not be afraid. We must advance. We must step out in faith. And, whatever God is calling you to do, be encouraged to do it completely.
Note: Whereas Israel did move into the Promised Land, they didn’t last there very long. Why? They didn’t follow God’s commands completely. As a result, they missed His best for them.
D: Don’t be afraid.
A: Advance.
C: Do it completely.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” — 2 Timothy 1:7
Contact us if we may be of encouragement in your journey.
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About the Author:
Ken Moll is the Principal and Founder of Blue Elevator®. With professional experience spanning four decades, Ken has a breadth of foundational business knowledge rarely found – making him part of an elite class of professionals. Ken's passion is helping clients of Blue Elevator® get their “business to the next level™.”