Following God’s Pace Instead of Your Own

It’s easy for us as Christians to lose track of God’s timing in our lives. Our culture is driven, and we often fall prey to busyness. We work hard at our jobs. We volunteer at church. We have hobbies and responsibilities around the house. Some days there’s not much left of our time or our energy to keep our relationships in order.

That was true for Terry Looper. His goal was to become a wealthy businessman. He achieved it through obsession. He did whatever it took to grow his company. He worked whatever hours his business required. Back before voice mail, he’d come home at night with so many phone call messages to return that they were falling out of his pockets.

Matthew 16:26 says, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (ESV).

Terry’s wealth came at a high cost. His relationship with his wife, Doris, was strained. By his own admission, he was a poor father. He would promise his children a fun Saturday all week, then break his word because he was so exhausted.

Before long, his health suffered. His memory became fuzzy, and he struggled with dizziness. The doctor told him his symptoms were due to stress.

Terry nearly lost everything because of burnout. Something had to change. But what? How could he change his lifestyle without sacrificing everything he’d worked so hard to achieve?

Terry is with us on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Following God’s Pace Instead of Your Own” to share the dramatic story of how he turned his life and his business decisions over to the Lord.

His solution was committing to work less and to stop pursuing sales goals. Amazingly, he was delivered from greed, became a better businessman, and had less fear and more wisdom with business decisions. For 21 years, Terry has given half of his income away.

Terry says there is a correlation between learning to be still and life unfolding well. He suggests four steps for discerning God’s will:

Prayer. Consult your friend, Jesus.
Gather the facts. Know what’s true.
Watch your circumstances. If you’re praying to do God’s will, He will reveal which circumstances are relevant in discerning it.
Get neutral. Desire God’s will over your own.

Terry is the president and CEO of Texon, LP, a Houston-based energy company that he founded 30 years ago. He has written a book about following God’s leading for every decision in life, no matter how big or small. It’s called Sacred Pace: Four Steps to Hearing God and Aligning Yourself with His Will. I’d like to offer you a copy of the book for a gift of any amount. Visit our website or give us a call at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459). If you can’t afford it, we’ll find a way to get it to you.

And join us on your local radio station, online, on iTunes, via Podcast, or on our free phone app as Terry tells his story on our broadcast.