Welcome to the new year of 2025 and with it another opportunity to set course for the best year ever.

For me I am seeking MORE of Jesus. I know He is waiting, and my strategy is to memorize one scripture a

week. So, I am starting with a favorite and thinking my MORE is really about MORE intimacy.

Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your

ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

In the fast-paced world of business I often think God is leaving things up to me because I can handle my

work. We all know decisions must be made quickly and relationships can be complex, the idea of

submitting to God may seems slow and even counterintuitive. Yet, it is precisely this act of submission

that opens the door to divine intimacy and the revelation of God’s wisdom. I want MORE intimacy and

MORE revelation. How about you? For Christian businessmen, submitting to God is not just a spiritual

practice; it is a strategic advantage, a way to align every decision and interaction with the ultimate

source of wisdom and become MORE intimate and MORE wise. God promises all that and more.

Why Submission is Key

Submission to God means relinquishing control—not just in major decisions, but in the day-to-day

nuances of work life. It is an intentional act of seeking His guidance in how you approach customers,

vendors, employees, and even competitors. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust God completely, setting

aside our own understanding in favor of His higher wisdom. This act of trust invites God’s direction,

clarity, and peace into areas that might otherwise be chaotic.

But submission isn’t passive. It requires active listening, humility, and a willingness to follow wherever

God leads. It is in this posture of surrender that intimacy with Jesus is deepened, and His

secrets—hidden treasures of wisdom and understanding—are revealed.

Creating Space to Hear God

One of the greatest challenges in the marketplace is creating space to hear God’s voice amid the noise

of daily responsibilities. Here are some practical ways to cultivate a listening heart:

1. Start with Prayerful Surrender

Before the day begins, take time to surrender your agenda to God. Pray specifically for wisdom in your

interactions with customers, vendors, and employees. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts,

words, and actions.

Sample Prayer: Lord, this is Your day. I submit every decision, meeting, and interaction to You. Help me

to hear Your voice and follow Your leading in all I do. I am listening Lord. (Now sit in silence for 60

seconds!)

2. Practice Active Listening in Conversations

As you interact with customers and vendors, adopt a mindset of curiosity and humility. Ask God to help

you see their needs, challenges, and desires from His perspective. Often, He reveals opportunities for

service, innovation, or ministry in these moments.

For example, while meeting with a vendor, you might sense an opportunity to build trust through

generosity or integrity. With a customer, you might discern a deeper need that your product or service

can uniquely address. Listening with spiritual ears allows you to go beyond transactional relationships

and build kingdom-impacting connections.

I pray we don’t get so focused on the “business of the world” that we miss the “opportunities for

eternity.”

3. Pause for “Wisdom Breaks”

Throughout the day, take intentional pauses to recalibrate your heart and mind. These brief moments of

silence create space to hear God’s whispers. Ask simple questions like:

-Lord, how should I respond to this situation?

-What opportunities are You opening in this conversation?

-What new perspective should I consider here?

These pauses help you resist the urge to react impulsively and instead respond with God’s wisdom and

grace.

4. Seek God’s Secrets in the Word

Romans 12:2 emphasizes the importance of renewing our minds to discern God’s will. Immersing

yourself in Scripture allows God to reveal principles and insights that transform how you think and lead.

Psalm 25:14 says, “The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” This

verse highlights that God shares His secrets with those who revere Him. Regularly meditating on His

Word creates fertile ground for these revelations.

5. Invite God into Creative Processes

Innovation and problem-solving are central to business success. Instead of relying solely on

brainstorming or market analysis, invite God into the process. Pray for new ideas and fresh perspectives,

trusting that the Creator of the universe delights in revealing solutions to those who seek Him.

James 1:5 promises, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all

without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” This applies to every challenge you face, whether it’s

resolving conflict with an employee or developing a new product line.

Living Out Submission in Relationships

Submission to God also transforms how we relate to others in the marketplace. Here are some practical

ways to embody this:

-With Employees: Lead with humility and a servant’s heart. Seek God’s guidance on how to

encourage, correct, and inspire your team. Sometimes, submitting to God means taking a softer

approach when the world would recommend harshness.

-With Customers: Treat every interaction as an opportunity to reflect Christ’s character.

Submission to God ensures your focus remains on meeting their needs rather than merely

maximizing profit.

-With Vendors: Build partnerships based on trust and integrity. Submitting to God might involve

paying fairly, honoring contracts, or going the extra mile even when it’s inconvenient.

The Rewards of Submission

When we consistently submit to God and create space to hear His voice, we experience profound

rewards:

1. Clarity in Decision-Making: God’s wisdom simplifies complex decisions and provides confidence

in the path forward.

2. Divine Creativity: Ideas and opportunities emerge that are beyond human comprehension or

planning.

3. Peace and Confidence: Submitting to God removes the pressure to control everything, replacing

anxiety with trust.

4. Eternal Impact: Decisions made in partnership with God bear fruit not just in this life but in

eternity.

Conclusion: Walking in Intimacy with Jesus

Intimacy with Jesus in the marketplace isn’t reserved for spiritual retreats or Sunday mornings; it is a

daily, moment-by-moment journey. Submitting to God and seeking His voice transforms ordinary

business activities into acts of worship and kingdom-building.

As you trust Him with all your heart and lean not on your understanding, you’ll find that He truly does

make your paths straight. His secrets are available to those who fear Him, and His wisdom will guide you

into new ideas, possibilities, and perspectives that glorify Him and bless others.

This week, take one practical step to submit more fully to God in your work. Whether it’s through

intentional prayer, pausing to listen, or immersing yourself in His Word, trust that He will meet you and

reveal His heart in powerful ways.

Make this year the year you partnered with the Almighty and saw His fingerprints on your work.