— by Peter Demos

Last month, we watched the Asbury revival go viral and the “Jesus Revolution” film hit the silver screen. Both events are an awesome reminder of the creative and powerful ways that God moves. He’s moving across university campuses, in hurting nations like Iran, and even in Hollywood, California. 

Personally, I am waiting for the next great move of God that will take place in cubicles and boardrooms instead of church pews and sanctuaries. Consider this — most Christians across the world are not called to work in full-time vocational ministry. They’re not preaching on Sundays or hosting evangelistic outreach events. Most Christ-followers are called to the marketplace. And so many people are seeking answers on how to put God at the center of their businesses.

The late evangelist Billy Graham said, “I believe one of the next great moves of God will happen through the believers in the workplace.” For years, Christians have sought to evangelize a largely unreached people in “the 10/40 Window” – the area of land between the 10th and 40th parallel north of the Equator, spanning from Africa through east Asia. But there’s another window sitting wide open for Christians to introduce people to Jesus, referred to by some as “the 9 to 5 window.” 

It took me a long time to surrender my life to God and discover my purpose within this window. Now that I see my restaurant business through His eyes, I approach it differently. I’ve learned a lot since God transformed my life, the bulk of which falls into three key truths. 

1. Surrendering control is everything 

I’ve been in the restaurant industry for most of my life, engaging with people of all backgrounds, managing teams and casting vision. Fully due to God’s grace, I oversee multiple, successful dining concepts, I have a wonderful wife and two amazing kids. For many years, on the outside, my life looked perfect. But what the pictures in social media and in the pages of lifestyle magazines did not reveal is that I wasn’t operating from a place of confidence and security. God wasn’t at the center of my business, but rather, I was driven by fear, anger and emptiness. 

Food service is in my veins. I entered the industry at age 12, washing dishes at my dad’s Western Sizzlin’ restaurant. As the family business expanded, it afforded me the opportunity to learn every possible aspect of the organization. By the time I was a young adult, I had absorbed a lot of restaurant industry know-how and even obtained a law degree, yet there was another area of my life in which I was too stubborn to learn anything at all. 

My parents took me to church every Sunday. When I say they “took me,” what I really mean is they “made me go.” It wasn’t until I became a husband and father that I truly surrendered my life to Christ and sought to put God at the center of my business. Before then, I was desperate to control every area of my life. If I couldn’t effectively control a person or circumstance to my satisfaction, no one in my path would be safe from the wrath of my emotions. 

I’ve since learned the root of my need to control was fear. I was afraid to trust anything other than my own two hands. So afraid that my wife would leave me, I nearly suffocated her with jealousy and controlling behavior. So afraid that my business would fail, I worked around the clock until it became my idol. I was a walking ball of fear, which manifested as uncontrollable anger. But the minute I relinquished control, I finally felt a peace I never knew was possible and it changed everything. 

2. God’s plans are the best plans 

When we launched a new restaurant a few years ago, running it was incredibly challenging and the source of some of my biggest business failures. When you open a new dining concept, you budget for a loss in the first year. Our venture had so many unforeseen obstacles that we met that budget two months into it.  

Dedicating my life to God didn’t take away my problems, but it taught me how to handle them. My earliest prayers were along the lines of, “Here’s my agenda, God. Bless it.” I’ve since learned that it should be the opposite. “What’s your agenda, God? Use me.” 

Learning to trust God to lead me through significant difficulties has turned out to be the greatest source of growth and blessing in my life. While I’m a work-in-progress and always will be, I finally understand that submitting my goals and dreams to Him and inviting Him to take control is the best way to enjoy peace and be a witness to others. 

3. The anointing of God isn’t reserved for the pulpit 

We tend to elevate those who serve in full-time ministry, believing they’re the ones who will change this world. But the next great revival may pour out of the anointed men and women who are making a difference in the marketplace. 

Want to explore more of what it means to step into marketplace ministry? Read our blog post, “What Does It Mean to Be Called?”

Christian researcher George Barna once predicted that “workplace ministry will be one of the core future innovations in church ministry.” A careful study of Jesus’ life reveals that He cared deeply about the marketplace. In fact, He worked there until his ministry began full-time. Paul preached in the marketplace in Athens and would work as a tentmaker as he shared the Gospel. When I first gave my life to Christ, I wrestled with what that should look like day to day. “What does this mean now? Am I supposed to go be a missionary in Haiti or something?” 

I began to read the Bible every day, processing what it looks like to be a Christian in an everyday world. What I discovered is that we each have different callings and mine was staring me right in the face. I could go about my days living with little sense of purpose, or I could carry Jesus into my workplace. I had a choice. 

Today, the portfolio of restaurants I operate has a mission-oriented approach that is radically different from others in the industry. Our purpose is larger than providing delicious food and a great dining experience. The way we put God at the center of our business is to serve others in all we do.

I Challenge You to Put Got at the Center of Your Business… And Your Life 

When we see our workplace as an opportunity to bring hope and life to people that desperately need it, it changes everything. Our job is to live faithfully and obediently wherever He has placed us. There is nothing better than surrendering control and letting God have the burden of your fears. Cling to Him, put Him at the center of your business, and He’ll guide you to live our best life for His glory. 

Peter Demos is the president and CEO of Demos’ Brands and Demos Family Kitchen. A business thinker who applies his knowledge to the most important pursuit of life: God, Demos brings his biblical perspective and insight gained from his own struggles to guide others to truth and authenticity in a broken world. Demos is the author of “On the Duty of Christian Civil Disobedience” and “Afraid to Trust.” To learn more, visit peterdemos.org. 

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