Beyond your Control

Written by Leonard Buhler

September 1, 2009

Leonard Buhler
President, Power to Change

On a rainy afternoon in Vancouver, in a room thick with pent-up emotion, I had one purpose: to share the Gospel with over 200 high-level entrepreneurs and leaders by talking to them about something they actually cared about.

Business.

“When people wrong you, do you ever wrestle with being angry and bitter?“ The entire crowd simultaneously moved towards me in their seats, as if in verbal agreement. It was the strongest reaction I’ve ever had from an audience. I almost stopped speaking. “Even though it is difficult,” I continued, “I’ve learned to forgive, because I understand God’s forgiveness for me. While others can live on in anger for years, forgiveness gives me the freedom to pursue the next adventure in life.”

Gathered around me on that afternoon were leaders finding themselves in a situation beyond their control: the downward spiral of the economy. Many were feeling anxious, alone, and even angry. They were on a spiritual journey looking for purpose in their lives.

As a businessman and entrepreneur myself, I have often been in situations beyond my control. However, my personal relationship with Jesus Christ gives me an identity other than my business that can not be taken from me, a strength of character and integrity that guides me through the tough times, and the ability to forgive, even when people don’t deserve it and the world thinks you have every right to hang on to resentment.

As I shared with those leaders how I went from a businessman who happened to believe in God, to a follower of Christ who happened to do some business, I asked them to consider doing the same. And many of them did. I left there that day convinced that in order to have any real kind of impact in the lives of people around us, we must connect their current realities of life – in this case, leading through tough times in business – to God, and show them the difference a relationship with Jesus Christ can make in their lives.

At Power to Change, our desire is to initiate relationship with love, identify with people’s current realities, and share with them the better benefit of God. It is simply compassion and love for people versus a confrontational spirit. Even our new name, Power to Change, tells that story. In John 14, Jesus says, “I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” Jesus in you is the Power to Change the world. The question is: will you release the power of Christ that is in you?

As I shared the Gospel with those business leaders that day, I could physically see their pain and fear. People around us are longing for something more in their lives – even these leaders who had achieved so much success already. Jesus is the answer.

I am on a journey with Jesus that has changed me from the inside out. God has met my deepest needs and He gives me the strength to pursue life as an adventure. I invite you to explore our Faith Adventures and go on a journey with God. I promise you’ll never be the same again.

God bless you on your journey!

One Response to “Beyond your Control”

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Donna Francis says:

September 14, 2009 at 7:55 pm

Dear Leonard;
Jesus’s business was saving people for eternal life. In my experience it is sometimes controversial in the Christian community to discuss God and Business. Your article reminds me that God should be in every inch of our lives. I was a banker/financial adviser for 18 years and left to fulfill a vision to bring God’s principals in the conversation of money. I believe that “my business should be my ministry and my ministry should be my business.” If we allowed God in every conversation we would see the Reality of Jesus in people’s lives.
Thank you for teaching Business people that it’s more than money. Our stewardship is critical to our successful walk with man and ultimealtey God.
Donna Francis Financial Life Coach