Open for Business

I was once eating in a restaurant and thinking to myself that it was a great new restaurant, hoping that they would do well.  I asked the server how long they had been open, thinking that it had been a few months.  The reply was "four years." This place had been open for four years and I had never noticed.  Granted, this place wasn't in my town.  In the small town that I live in the opening of a restaurant is big news.  But still, I did go by there often enough and some how I missed the change.  When businesses are open, they need to get the word out.

I have also had the experience of looking for a business and being unable to find it.  This isn't a question of being aware, it is about geography.  Some business lack a noticeable sign or are set far back off the road.  You can know that they are there some place, but finding where can be a challenge.

Some businesses never set up a store front or advertise one bit.  These business rely on word of mouth to grow their business.  I knew a house painter who prided himself on having never advertised.  He believed that if he gave people a fair price and took pride in his work that his customers would tell their friends and the work would sell itself.  And as far as I know, he has been right.  But this isn't the same thing as being invisible.  When people ask about his work, he is quick to respond.

But even someone who is self employed, at some point has to make the decision that what they are doing is a business.  That they are painting houses and that they are going to charge money for the services and that this enterprise is going to be called something.

Most businesses make it official by filing a DBA.  A DBA is a form filed with the local government that says that you are in business under a specific name.  These business names and owners are listed in the local paper or on line.  It is an official declaration with the powers in charge that it enterprise is a business and this is what they do,

As Christians, we need to declare ourselves open for business.  That is we need to make the decision and say that this is who we are.  Becoming a Christian is a life transforming experience.  We are under new management and it is time for a grand re-opening.   And just like there are all kinds of people and all kinds of businesses, there are all kinds of Christians.

Some Christians wear their faith on their sleeves.  They are all out there and can't meet a person without sharing a testimony.  Others are more of the quiet word of mouth types.  They don't say much but people can see that there is something different about them.  And when asked, they are quick to respond about the influences of their life. 

What we don't want to be are invisible Christians.  We don't want to be like the business set way back off the road that no one can find.  We don't want it said of us, "Really, you've been a Christian for four years?  I never noticed." Now that would be a tragedy.

Watch this video clip from Pastor Mike.

At some point we need to make the decision that we are doing our business as a Christian.  We are part of the family of God who have been redeemed through His Grace.  We may have day jobs as house painters or restaurateurs,  but first and foremost, we are servants of God,  And there will be no hiding it.