The First Call I Make in a Crisis
When your business is in crisis, who do you call first—your advisor or your savior?
Recently, I meditated on the story of Jairus in Mark 5:21-43. Jairus was a respected leader, a man of influence and authority. Yet when his 12-year-old daughter was dying, none of his position, connections, or resources could help him. In his moment of desperation, he did something powerful: he ran to Jesus. Someone once described this as Jairus making a "9-1-1 call to Jesus." That thought has stayed with me.
As a Christian business owner, I understand the temptation to rely on my own abilities. I am often expected to solve problems, make difficult decisions, manage involuntary disruptions, and keep moving forward regardless of the challenges I face. But life and business remind me that I am not in control of everything.
There have been seasons when no amount of planning, experience, or hard work could change what I was facing: opportunities disappeared, challenges kept piling up, and answers seemed nowhere to be found. But in those moments, I learned something powerful: when I can’t see a way forward, I can always turn to prayer. My first response should not be panic, but prayer.
Jairus put aside his pride and fell at Jesus' feet because he recognized that Jesus was his only hope. His desperation became the doorway to divine intervention. What encourages me most is that Jesus responded. He walked with Jairus through the crisis and ultimately brought life where there appeared to be no hope.
As a Christian business owner, this truth should encourage you: when you reach the limit of your strength, God is never limited. When you don’t know what to do next, He already knows the way forward.
Like Jairus, take your concerns to Jesus through your spiritual 9-1-1 prayer. Bring Him the deal that fell through, the unexpected challenge, the difficult decision, and the situation you cannot fix on your own. Before you call your attorney or Chief Financial Officer (CFO), pause, and pray through Mark 5, asking God for wisdom, direction, and peace.
Jairus went to Jesus when the situation looked impossible, and Jesus answered. The God who answered Jairus is still answering prayers today. Your business may have limits, but your God does not. When you don’t know what to do, pray first. God is already at work.
