Luke 14:28-30 “28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, this man began to build, and was not able to finish.”
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu, Melech Ha Olam/Blessed are you O Adonai our G-D, King of the Universe. Shabbat Shalom Mishcopa/Happy Shabbat family
This week I have been thinking about what career moves I should take. I liked my job as a therapist, but I'm not genuinely fulfilled until I have launched my own business. From 2015-2018 I worked as a teaching artist in the afterschool program. I taught children drama, theater, and poetry. Then my services were no longer needed, and I felt heartbroken because I really enjoyed what I was doing. I gave 110% to the shows we put on, and I treated those children like my own. Therefore, when I was told, my services were not needed any longer. I felt rejected and bitter towards the organization. How it is that you give so much to people, and when they are ready, they just let you go. As I prayed about the situation, the Lord told me to have my own program. I did not know what that meant, so I continued to pray and asked Him to lead me in the right direction. One day, working with my client, I heard in my spirit call the library. I did and explained to the branch manager what I was looking to do, and he knew exactly what I needed and made it so that I had a 6 weeks drama program as an afterschool program. The following year, I had it on the weekends, and in 2020 I was looking to have an official drama school program where parents pay reasonable tuition.
Moving forward, I'm ready to take it to the next level, where I have a full-time drama school program during the summer. This means I would have to take a leap of faith and leave 9-5 job to do so. I'm grateful to COVID-19 caused it gave me enough time to put things on hold and really make sure this is the move I want to make. Now that things are slowly opening up, I know this is what I want. However, I know me, so I have been praying for direction. As I pray, I continued to say this scripture" Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths". In the past, I would do things without consulting G-D and make significant mistakes where I would have to go back and redo over. Now that I'm older, I have learned I need Him to guide my decisions, especially in significant endeavors. I have comfort in the fact that He birthed this vision in my heart in 2018, and with His help, I can do this as a full-time business.
Another scripture comes to mind is Luke 14:28-30 "28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, this man began to build, and was not able to finish." I'm a risk-taker if an idea pops in my head without thinking I'm ready to pursue it. However, I know now when the Lord gives me an idea, I have to sit and listen for instructions. Imagine building your home from the ground up without any blueprint and no vision of the house. Same as opening a business or any other life pursuit.
On a spiritual note, as believers in Yeshua, we also have to consider the cost of following him. In Luke 14:28-30, Yeshua using this parable to explain the terms for discipleship, and they are not soft, easy, comfortable terms. They are harsh, severe, and you must count the cost, the cost of discipleship. Many began serving Him but are unable to finish because the price is something they cannot afford. Some think when you started to follow the Lord, you don't have to give up anything, you can stay the way you are and still be His disciple. Luke 14:33 tells us different; "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."
Well, the same as starting a business, you need a business plan because some expert says most businesses fail within five years of opening up. Some business owners do not understand the risk they are taking to open up a business. They see the potential in making money but don't know what they might have to sacrifice. It's going to cost you something such as money, time, sleep, friends, and whatever else it takes for you to be successful. The Lord already knows the cost of following Him, but you will succeed if you follow His business plan.
Let's say you need a business loan to open your business. The first thing most banks want is a business plan and how you are going to use the funds and, most importantly, pay them back. If you succeed in getting a loan, they will lay out the terms to make sure you understand the consequences if you default. In that regard, we do not want to default on the loan given to us by Yeshua as He laid down His life for us.
In closing, I encouraged you to pursue your dreams and passions but first seeking His guidance and counting the cost. Trust me, you will save yourself a lot of trouble.
Shabbat Shalom
Your Achoti/Sister
Shakina
Reference:
Smith, C. (1 Jun, 2005). C2000 Series on Luke 14-15 by Chuck Smith. Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/smith_chuck/c2000_Luk/Luk_014.cfm
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