In2theRiver

Good morning from Westminster, MD!

Over the past few posts, I have been exploring the concepts of practical and spiritual hope, and addressing the question, “Can a business be a catalyst for people to experience hope?” I started by addressing the question in general (click here to read the post) and then looked specifically at practical hope and the importance of a real opportunity (click here to read the post).

In my last post, I began to dive into spiritual hope through the lens of darkness and light (click here to read the post). Specifically, the fact that, like darkness being exposed to light, the lie of hopelessness stands no chance when the light of truth breaks through. Hopelessness tries to convince someone that they were created for less than. However, when a person’s identity is reframed around the truth that they were created on purpose and for a purpose by a God who love them real hope breaks. This is spiritual hope and acts as a spark that can change the way a person sees themselves and the world around them.

So, how does a business act as a catalyst for people to experience this life-changing spark? How can it play a role in bringing spiritual hope?

The answer to this question may not be as clear as practical hope. Connecting the concept of creating real opportunities with a business seems relatively natural. Spiritual hope, on the other hand, isn’t something with which a business is often associated. This is because our minds tend to gravitate to certain ways of bringing spiritual hope. While many of these ways are great, we need to expand our perspective on what it might look like for a business and the people within it to be catalyst for spiritual hope.

Where do many adults spend a large portion of their waking hours? At work, of course. This means their work environment and the way they are treated by their employer can have a significant impact on them. This is not groundbreaking information, but it is an incredible opportunity. What if a business decided to build their culture in such a way that it reinforced the truth that their team members were created on purpose and for a purpose by a God who loves them? What if they took steps to ensure that the people who work for them know that their life is significant and they are full of God-given potential? Might this play a role in helping someone see themselves differently?

As a business owner and leader, I try to use this lens when thinking about my team and the culture of the business. I will be the first to say we don’t always get it right, but there is an intentionality around the way we make decisions and the way I communicate to my team. Chick-fil-A is another great example of this.

The businesses I get to work with in Nicaragua are also pictures of the power of treating people as important and filled with God-given potential. In a place where hopelessness is a little easier to see, the impact of treating people as valuable and equal creations of God can have a big impact. This becomes even more clear when people are dealing with challenging circumstances. A willingness to walk with them, care about them, and pray for them communicates that they are seen and matter, especially when it is coming from an unexpected source.

This really leads to another way a business can be a catalyst for spiritual hope. When a person is positively surprised by the way they are treated, it can open the door for identity reframing questions. I have had these conversations with people, and I know this has happened many times in Nicaragua. By being ready and willing to talk when these conversations arise, a business owner, or one of their fellow team members, can bring the spiritual hope they carry. In other words, they can point people toward a God who loves them, created them on purpose and for a purpose, and sent Jesus so that they could experience true spiritual hope.

A business can also have an impact on the world around it by the way it operates. This can be by the way it treats its customers and the community in which it exists. By seeing each person as significant and full of God-given potential, a business can provide a glimpse of the way things ought to be. They can also use their resources to help further the work of organizations committed to bringing spiritual hope to their community and beyond. By stewarding their resources well, they are acting as conduits for others to bring and experience spiritual hope.

There are many other ways a business can bring spiritual hope. A business could have a workplace chaplain or create a space for someone to host a study. In Nicaragua, many of the people who work within the businesses I get to work with are connected to the same church and invite their coworkers to participate, and invite the church to care for their coworkers when appropriate.

In the end, a business’ ability to be a catalyst for spiritual hope really comes down to the perspective and intention of its leaders. If the leaders see the opportunity to shine the light of spiritual hope into the darkness of hopelessness, the possibilities are endless.

Can a business be a catalyst for hope? As I have explored over the past four posts, the answer is most certainly yes. Through practical and spiritual hope, a business can be a powerful force for change.

James Belt

Click here for more resources to help you bring hope to others, including more information about my book, Hope Realized!