Do You Have A Business Nebuchadnezzar?

It's late but I wanted to write this blog while I was thinking about it. I probably will write a Part 2, as well.

Some of you may be aware that I unwittingly entered into a bad business alliance with the result being that the miserly and miserable person I was working with refused to pay me for two weeks worth of work I had already performed as an independent contractor unless I signed a totally outlandish non-compete agreement.

Had I signed the agreement, it would have severely limited me in my own business. It also would have given this creep (forgive me God) rights to an e-book (which has to do with spirituality) that I have 90% completed, which was totally MY idea.

While it is not a lot of money in question, it is still money, which in these days of high gas AND food prices, is still missed. Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit told me NOT to sign the agreement since ultimately, God is my provider -- not this infidel.

Well, the sermon today at church dealt with King Nebuchadnezzar and Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego. The pastor told the story of how those three boys refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's image of gold. Even though he had the three young boys thrown into the white-hot the fiery furnace, GOD was STILL with them. The message was that the Bible never says that we won't have problems but that when we walk in faith, GOD is still with us, even threw the fire.

I immediately thought about my situation. This person, this Business Nebuchadnezzar, thought that by my refusing to sign that stupid non-compete that they would throw me into the fiery furnace of submission to them, just to get paid. But as I sat there, repeating to them like a mantra that I would not sign it, I knew that God was providing a hedge of protection around me, a sun and a shield. Why would I want to continue to be associated with a person and company who would attempt to force me to sign something not in my own best interest? This person's true colors came out and they weren't very pretty. I didn't want any parts of them -- something that had been building up anyway and which now was coming to a head.

This person fancied themselves as all powerful -- shamelessly holding back my hard-earned money unless I signed the non-compete - this person's equivalent of a gold image.

As the boys said about worshiping the image of gold and being thrown into the fiery furnace, "...the God we serve will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not,we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship your image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18)

God did indeed rescue them from the fiery furnace but that is not the end of the story. Nebuchadnezzar eventually lived through seven years of insanity before being restored to the throne because of his arrogance and pride. God knocked him down to show who REALLY is in control. When Nebuchadnezzar was restored he prayed to God "Now I Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble." (Daniel 4:37).

I can only pray that my Business Nebuchadnezzar is somehow led to this chapter and repents their dastardly ways.

As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance." (Daniel 12:13)

Do YOU have a Business Nebuchadnezzar in your life? Let's talk it out. Contact me for a complimentary coaching consult if this is an issue for you. You don't have to walk through the fiery furnace alone!

Paula Quick

The Lemonade Coach
"Enjoy the Lemonade"
www.thelemonadecoach.com