How did you succeed in your family business?

In our last reflection, God demonstrated his commitment to Gideon through a wet fleece and then a dry fleece. Now, it’s time for Gideon to use the army he gathered to fight the Midianites. But first God wants to shrink Gideon’s army:

The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people are still too many…And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the 300 men. (Judges 7:2-4,8)

God is reducing the size of Gideon’s army by over 99%! A later verse describes the enemy waiting “like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore….” God wants to make sure Israel clearly understands the role He is about to play in the battle by increasing their odds of failure. He wants them to see His hand in their victory.

How often in our family or business lives do we attribute our success to our own brilliance? Most family businesses I know are full of hard workers, smart strategists, and effective CEOs. Most have flourished from a financial perspective. But I also see “uncontrollable” factors contributing to success – what we might chalk up to timing, luck, coincidence, or being in the right place. Gideon’s experience offers a chance to reflect on how we see God’s role in our success, how we understand His presence in that which is beyond our control.

Have you experienced success due to factors beyond your control? How does God factor in to your notion of success when the results are not solely of your own doing?