I experienced God’s favor upon my inability to produce results in my business

Close to 2 years ago, I attempted to start a business selling art pieces. With the passion and drive to make it happen, I put in a lot of effort to realize this business idea. I know God gave me an artistic talent and I wanted to turn it into a business.

During this period, God used events and unique circumstances to guide me as well as people with unique talents to help me. In one particular case, I came to know one of the most talented fashion photographers in Singapore; whom I met during my army reservists. He was one of the most generous people I have come across. I remembered him working late into the night on some occasions but he did not want to charge me. I knew without a shadow of doubt that without God’s connection, my path would have never crossed his in my life time, due to the different kind of life and circle of friends we take. Hence I was able to relate to what John C Maxwell wrote in “Be All You Can Be!”, “Until I am committed, there is hesitancy, a chance to draw back. But the moment I definitely commit myself, then God moves also, and a whole stream of events erupt. All manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings, persons and material assistance which I could never have dreamed would come my way begin to flow toward me – the moment I make a commitment.”

Eventually I tried to sell my paintings. As you might have heard people say, “To reach the peak of a mountain, there could be many different paths of climb up.” I could say I almost exhaust all the different ways as I could think to market my products In fact I even went to the extent of knocking on people’s door to peddle my paintings. It did not take long to convince myself that this path would not work out. However I managed to clinch a deal with one of the hotels in Singapore. This deal covered all the expenses I invested for this business start up and I made some decent profits from it as well.

Leonie Smith from Planetshakers wrote, “The most simple ideas and strategies conceived by the Holy Spirit in you will be far more effective and anointed than the most dazzling display of human skill and achievement.” I could not agree with her any more. It might seem that my hard work and perseverance brought me the hotel deal. But it was not the case and I knew it was the favor of God. This was confirmed through my brief conversation with the person who was appointed by the hotel to install my paintings. He told me that I was actually competing with an established art gallery organization and this organization has been collaborating with the hotel management for ten over years. In particular he kept making this comment, “I still do not understand why the hotel wants to work with you. In terms of price, they can beat you if they want to. In terms of quality, theirs were better. I really don’t understand.”

What could I say, but it is the favor of God.
Ecclesiastes 9:11, “I returned and saw under the sun that—

The race is not to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise,
Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favor to men of skill;
But time and chance happen to them all.”

Steve