Business owners and leaders should take time away from their business to reflect, pray and gain perspective. Times of reflection allow us to disconnect from the cares and schedules of this world and focus on something that is important to learn about, to understand and to eventually reach a place where we can make quality decisions or enter into rich experiences that will elude us otherwise.
Reflection Time to Seek God’s Face
To seek God’s face (2 Chronicles 7.14), we necessarily must disconnect from the cares of this world. For a Christian Business Owner, this means getting away to a quiet place where our sole focus can become God Himself. Quality times of reflection will ask us to slow down internally as well as externally – to slow down our mind and learn to focus it on God. “Be still and know that I am God.” wrote David in Psalm 46. We slow down our minds, focus on God, learn about Him as His Spirit teaches us supernaturally and we enter into His sweet presence that brings a peace that passes all understanding.
The “worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth” chokes out the Word of God in our lives (Matthew 13.22). We become unfruitful for kingdom purposes. If we live hurried lives, we’ll not see how our activity is choking out God’s work in us. Time for reflection is needed.
Time for Reflection is Intentionally Created
First, take two consecutive business days away from your office each month and get to a quiet place where you can review your financials and other core reports. Take time to read them. Absorb what is being reported to you. Notice what is missing. And pray through these reports to align your perspective with God’s perspective. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you about yourself and your business. Don’t let the swirl of your business rob you from hearing the voice of God and reflecting on what your systems and people are telling you about your business.
Sometimes, you will need to process your thoughts with another person. Develop a few relationships with those who will be willing to be a safe place for you to process what you’re facing in your business. Give them information they need to give you quality feedback and then take the time to reflect with them in an unhurried, calm manner about the important challenges facing your business. Your advisors can be an important aspect of growing your business.
Secondly, take one hour/day to be quiet, pray and talk with God. One hour might seem like a long time at first, but as you practice this discipline, you’ll come to cherish and protect that daily hour.
Finally, get an Executive Coach who can get to know you and help you see where your derailers are in your work habits, interpersonal skills and professional development. Look for ways to shore up your derailers or find ways to hire around yourself so that, as a team, your business is dealing with the least amount of dysfunction from your office as possible.
Take quality time to reflect on your person and work. Listen to the Voice of God. Then see what God does. I think you’ll be glad you took the time to reflect on seeking God’s face and learning about your business. It will one of the best things you’ve ever done.
Bill English, Publisher
Bible and Business
