Latest Devotional: "God, open or close the door."

MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013
"GOD, OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR"

After years of being in the auction business and never being approached by a prospective buyer for our company, suddenly suitors pursued us when "auction" became the biggest buzzword on the Internet.

I began the due diligence process with an investment banker who was enthusiastic about the prospect of taking our high-profile company public. He made it clear to me that my life-long commitment to the future of our company was paramount to the success of the IPO. I understood what that meant for my future.

After months of moving forward with the investment bank, I was prompted to pray a simple prayer, "God, please open the door so wide that I can fall through it or close it so tightly that I can't get it open." That week, the investment banker called me with news that our company needed to be twice its size to conduct an initial public offering. Otherwise we would experience the detriments of being public without the benefits of liquidity and stock appreciation. He thought I might be angry. I thought about my prayer. God had another plan, and I was finally willing to wait on Him.

Not long after this, a large corporation considered acquiring our company in a way that would allow us to achieve all the growth strategies in my vision for the business. As with the previous opportunity, I was told that in moving ahead I was committing my entire future to this endeavor because I was the key leader, the primary revenue generator, and basically the future of the business. Again I agreed, and again I prayed that simple prayer.

That same week as my prayer, the prospective purchaser's representative called me with the news that the company was being sold to a wealthy investor who had placed all acquisitions on hold. He thought I might be angry. Again, I thought about my prayer. My heart of clay had become patient for what God had in store.

Although I had wanted to spend more time with my family instead of traveling nearly 45 weekends each year, I didn't think it would ever be possible, so with the previous two sale scenarios I was still willing to sacrifice them, a move that was dichotomous with the genuine desires of my heart. At the same time, I desired to communicate God's message of restoration I had experienced to a culture filled with unrestored people.

God's vision was about to be followed by His provision.

For the first time, someone was willing to acquire our business and let me walk away to pursue the desires of my heart. As I was willing to surrender my business to God, He made a way for me to honor Him through investing in our daughters and bringing His restoration to others. Consequently, I will never forget that prayer that led me to experiencing the desires of my heart.

David penned: "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). When we make our hearts pliable to God, He orchestrates our desires to be like His.

Are you in the process of making a significant decision? Pray, "God, please open the door so wide that I can fall through it or close it so tightly that I can't get it open." Surrender your heart to Him, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Blessings!