Only light can dispel darkness. But, we still live in a world where there is too much darkness, a lot of bad news. It is easy to see all of this darkness and to let fear in. Fear paralyzes and fear causes us not to make decisions that need to be made.
If we acknowledge our fear, we can also realize that we are okay because we are still alive, and there is a lot of beauty all around us. Fear and darkness prevent us from seeing what is in front of us, disabling us from moving forward.
Darkness in the Marketplace
In a similar way, in the marketplace, we can too easily become focused on the problems in our business, on the people in our organisations that frustrate us or on our clients that drain us. Instead, we need to change our focus not on what is happening to us, but rather to what positive contributions we can make both to others and our organisation.
We should seek to be light-bearers in dark situations, speaking life into a world full of fear. Rather bring hope where there is despair and offer a world of possibilities instead of a range of problems.
God does not give us overcoming life – He gives us life as we overcome. Even darkness can have its purpose, because the strain of life is what builds strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength.
Seek to be a person who looks for the solution rather than finding fault. Think about how different our world would be if we looked in every interaction to bring joy.
Seek Peace
With the marketplace littered with conflict (darkness), a solution is to seek peace and pursue it (light). We seek peace by demonstrating a peaceable disposition, and resisting that which may break the peace.
We must pursue peace even if it runs from us and to spare no pain nor expense to recover peace. We should be willing to deny ourselves a great deal, both in honour and interest, for the sake of peace.
Sow Love
Love has a quality of persevering patience, it is long suffering. Love waits and believes in the reformation of a colleague rather than raging in resentment at his or her conduct. It will put up with many slights and neglects from the person it loves, and will wait long to see the good effects of such patience on that individual.
‘Passion’, according to John Bunyan’s parable (The Pilgrim’s Progress), has its good things first, and they are soon over. However, ‘patience’ has its good things last, and they last for ever.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
In your workplace, make sure that you are the person bringing light – be attractive like a lamp is in a dark place. Daily strive to bring hope where there is defeat, to bring something of the Kingdom of God into your home and your organisation.
About the Author: Dr Alan Louis is a third generation entrepreneur in a family with a 100-year business history. He devoted his life to Christianity as a child. Awarded a PhD in Commerce, is an Ultra Ironman Triathlete Gold medallist and was inducted in the IBC Hall of Fame for entrepreneurship. Internationally he has served on more than 100 private corporate boards, and has experienced the trials and successes of commerce for 3 decades.
