Prayer

Lord.

Clear your mind Michael.

I know, I’m all over the place.

This is good. Writing your prayers helps you to focus your thoughts. I’m surprised you’ve resisted for so long. I have so much to share.

Like what?

Like why you don’t come to me for council.

You want to share with me why I don’t come to you for council? Or you want me to come to you for council?

Both

What do you mean by the first?

There’s a reason you don’t come to me for council.

Pride

Yes, Michael.

…

Don’t lose this stream of thought. Your pride is your primary limitation. You are very capable; I have made it so. You have great things in store for you and I have much to do through you for the benefit of this world and for my glory. But you must release your pride. It will not work the way you or I want if you won’t come to me for council. I am your master. Do you accept that.

Yes, master.

I am your teacher. Do you accept that?

Yes, teacher.

Then come to me. I’m always here. This writing has always been fruitful for you Michael.

I suppose I’ve felt …

Stop Michael. Your “feelings” betray you. Just stop. You know the fruit that has been borne of your prayer and your writing out your prayer.

Yes, Lord.

So your “feelings” are of no consequence, and your “feelings” have gotten in the way of our communion and my ability to bless you.

Your ability?

Yes, Michael. Your acceptance and reception hinders my ability. I have made it so by providing you with your own conscience. Yes, I know the end from the beginning, but I do not make your decisions for you; that would make our relationship an artificial one.

I understand.

Michael.

Yes, Lord?

You do not know what you don’t know.

Thanks captain obvious.

Ha ha. What I mean is… receive this Michael. You’re fighting what you think I’m about to say. Let down your wall and receive what is right and good for you.

Ok Lord. I’m just afraid that your council will lead me away from what I’ve invested so greatly in.

Michael. You have not invested yourself wholly into your business. You know this. You’ve been receiving my thoughts all night.

Yes, Lord. So… what is it? I didn’t pour myself in because I trusted too much in other people? I thought that was what was in the best interest of the team. I thought the team was your doing, put together for each person’s own experience, skill and contribution and value.

Michael. The pieces were there, but the intent was not.

What do you mean intent?

Some intend to work. Some intend to build.

What does that mean? I think I understand, but it doesn’t seem quite right to me.

When you build, you start from nothing. You start with an empty palatte; a blank sheet of paper. Some of the founders came in with too much expectation already written on their hearts. To much entitlement.

Did I have entitlement?

Some, but not what others did. How can a business pay employees when a business doesn’t have any income? How can a plant produce fruit, when it has no roots or water or soil. Your company wasn’t even planted and founders were already expecting to be paid.

I suppose that’s true. Are we planted now?

In a way, yes. But there’s so much more to do. The seed is sewn, but it needs regular feeding, proper sunlight, proper water, rich soil… you can’t strip a plant of it’s future fruit. To do so is to rape the plant of its potential.

Not sure I understand this. If we had investors, and some founders had financial needs, isn’t it ok to pay them for their time?

Yes, but then don’t call them founders. They’re not the seed; they’re the water.

I sort of understand the analogy, but not sure about the specifics. Do you want me to understand the specifics.

Not necessarily; I want you to understand my point. You were not fully invested. Your father is right in that regard.

Ok.

You put faith in people, rather than coming to me for council, and now you’re in a hole.

Ok.

You didn’t stand up for what you knew was right with the equity situation, and instead chose the easy road and deferred to the group, and now you’re in a hole.

Ok.

You created a product / program based on your own supposed wisdom, and left me out of the equation, and now you’re in a hole.

Ok.

Michael. You’re in a serious hole, and you need to come to grips with that.

I understand. I know. Everything always seems like it’s right around the corner. Like right now, feeling like our assumptions will be validated with website traffic.

Whether it is or it isn’t, you didn’t come to me, and your product isn’t what it could be – yet.

Well, what do you want me to do? It seems like there are so many paths. I feel like I’m drowning in minutiae.

The first step is trusting in me. And trusting in me means knowing that I know best, and that I want to share my guidance with you. That’s part of how I bless you. I don’t just wave a wand and create outcomes – usually. I bless the process, which ends up bearing vibrant fruit.

I understand. What is the next step.

One step Michael. One step in faith. Trust in me. See if you can keep that perspective for one day and we can talk again tomorrow.

Ok. Thank you Lord.

Good night Michael.