What’s in your hands?

This is an excerpt from God Is My CEO 2nd Edition, in which forty business leaders share their timeless wisdom.

Dennis Doyle, Executive Chairman, Welsh Companies and Co-Founder, Matter

“Since it began in 2000, Hope for the City (now called Matter) has distributed over $575 million in wholesale value of food and supplies. I remember clearly how it started. My wife Megan and I were praying about how our business could be a part of God’s plan. We asked ourselves, What’s in our hands? What has God given us?

“We came up with three things:

We knew a lot of people in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, particularly CEOs.

We owned a lot of commercial real estate particularly some vacant industrial space.

We knew some great ministries and nonprofits that were doing important work, yet needed help.

We came up with a simple idea. We would go to our CEO friends and get their excesses—things like food, computers, office supplies. Whatever they had, we would put in our vacant warehouse space. Then, once a month, we would have the nonprofits we supported pick up whatever they needed to distribute to the people they serve who are in need.

What began as a good idea became a God idea! The concept immediately worked, though it was hard work and, especially at the beginning, overwhelming. Megan and I both realized that we had to calm down, wait for God, and allow Him to work on us before we could really get going.

Looking back, I’ve learned a lot more than I’ve ever given out. You start to see God in a whole different dimension when you see how God works through so many people in so many places.”

What’s in your hands? What (resources, abilities, circumstances) has God given you?

* * * * * * * *

Business leaders face the difficult task of reconciling their personal beliefs with the bottom-line demands of their business obligations. Often, it seems like the conflict between short-term business strategies and their desire to “do the right thing” pull them in opposite directions.

• In God Is My CEO, readers learn how to:Develop their God-given talents and skills, while developing a spiritual center
• Gain ideas and encouragement through real-life stories of successful business leaders who have faced the same challenges
• Learn to apply a practical daily plan to overcome the toughest business issues
• Focus their energies and thoughts on moving forward with a sense of purpose

Many business leaders struggle with the dilemma of being successful and living a life with purpose.God Is My CEO offers a practical and inspirational source of guidance for achieving a balanced and accomplished life.