Please don’t misunderstand and take offense at this title! I don’t mean it negatively, such as “keep your nose out of my business”! No, I mean this in a positive sense, as in mind (focus on, be intentional, plan & implement) your OWN business in 2017 (what YOU are led by God to do, with your specific gifts and passions, in your sphere of influence in the world)! Remember when Jesus was just 12 years old, and his parents had to go back to Jerusalem and found him in the Temple courts, asking questions? He told them: “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. -Luke 2:49-50 (NIV) Jesus, even at a young age, was laser-focused on who he was and why he was sent here. In his later years of ministry, he made clear that everything he said and did was in direct correlation with his Father in Heaven!
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:9-14 (NIV)

WOW! Jesus says that we as believers may do even greater works than he did! How exciting might that be in 2017? Paul reminds us of this promise in Ephesians 2:10 (NIV): 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. But the problem is, we get distracted by focusing on things we are NOT called to do! For example, you may be shocked to learn that I was NOT invited by President-elect Trump to visit the Trump Tower and offer my advice on how to run the country and change the world for the better! And I’ll bet you weren’t either! After all, we have such important opinions and ideas on this, don’t we? While politics is entertaining to many ( and a blood-sport to some), the reality is, it is NOT our business! Now maybe you are gifted and passionate about a political career, and God is leading you on that path. Wonderful! We need more Christians of integrity in leadership at every level of society! But for the rest of us, we are called to pray for leaders at every level, vote, and encourage fair and just decisions for the benefit of all the people. But our primary concern should be to use our time, energy and gifts to do what God is calling US to do in our sphere of influence!

So, as we look forward to 2017, remember two important Biblical truths:
1) God has given you a specific area of passion and giftedness for a reason, and he expects you to use it!
We can be interested in a lot of things, but only committed to a few. When you are “interested” in doing something, you only do it when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses. Football coach Lou Holtz pointed out “The Kamikaze pilot who was able to fly 50 missions was involved— but never committed”! What are you really passionate about that can influence others and draw them closer to God and his grace?

2) The Kingdom of God grows one heart and soul at time!
It is true that governments and laws can have either positive or negative impacts on how people live. But Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God always begins small, in the heart of an individual, and then grows as that individual is transformed and meshes with other transformed Christians to slowly and powerfully change the world around them. Jesus came to save us from sin and all it’s destructive power in our lives, knowing that when we receive forgiveness and grace from God, we will think and act like him. Who in your life circle needs to know God’s forgiveness and mercy, and begin a new life under the power of God? What can you do to reach out in unconditional service and love?

There are many things in life that we find interesting, but only a few things that are vital and life-changing. You are a unique creation of God, and he wants to use you and your God-given passion and gifts to draw others to him and his Kingdom. Paul describes it this way:
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV)

What is the “business” that God has uniquely given to you in 2017? Are you willing to “mind your own business in God”, by being intentional and committed to doing the good works that God has for you in 2017? Will you pray with me and other believers that God will show us, day by day, how he wants to use us? May the aroma that we diffuse throughout 2017 be one of mercy, compassion, and the life-changing grace of God!