'd been employed by the same construction company for seventeen years and had worked myself up to a pretty impressive position. After serving as an apprentice carpenter, then carpenter, I was now a superintendent responsible for building high-rise facilities.
My home life seemed successful, too. My wife, Nancy, and I had a pretty good system worked out; she took care of the house and our three sons, while I watched football games, played with the kids, and drank beer. Everything was running smoothly. Right on track. No complaints. And then something happened that changed everything. My wife fell in love with another man.
THE OTHER MAN
It all started when she bought a book entitled Good News For Modern Man. It was the Bible, but written in a way she could really understand. Then she began attending a weekly women's Bible study and prayer group.
Before long, she had fallen in love. With Jesus. So, here she was, in love with another guy, and I could feel it. I could sense that there was someone new in her life. The problem was, I couldn't get too upset because, at the same time, she was spending time with me and loving me beyond reason.
I couldn't figure out what was happening. Sometimes, I tried to make her mad at me, just to see what would happen. But she just loved me no matter what.
Then one day I began finding religious pamphlets around the house, each one telling me I needed Jesus. Nancy had started her own campaign, leaving tracts anywhere I was likely to find them.
I don't know which bothered me more pulling down the sun visor in the car and finding a tract taped there, or discovering those annoying pamphlets stuck between the pages of my Playboy magazines.
Something funny was going on here.
A BIRTHDAY PRESENT FOR TWO
In September, Nancy reminded me about her birthday. I cringed because I'd forgotten. "There's a meeting I'd love to go to," she said sweetly. "Take me to this meeting, and that'll be my present. And it won't even cost a thing!"
As soon as we walked into the building I knew I was in trouble. Fifteen hundred people had convened to hear some guy talk about Jesus. I reminded myself I'd heard people talk about Jesus before and hadn't let it influence me. I'd just have to be strong.
But this guy was different. His words were plain, simple, and powerful. He said people who had made a decision to follow Jesus like Nancy were going to heaven. And people who had not like me were going to hell.
I thought about my kids. Had they made decisions, too? If so, I'd be separated from my whole family. For eternity.
I walked out of that building a new man. Little did I know how different my life was about to become!
USE ME, LORD
I had just "gotten by" for so long. Now I wanted my life to count for something. I began by taking my Bible to work and telling coworkers about Jesus.
Then, six months after becoming a Christian, something happened in my life that empowered me to serve Jesus in new ways, gave me courage to start my own business, and helped me clean up my language to boot!
Nancy and I attended a Bible study where everyone was talking about something called Baptism in the Holy Spirit. They talked about miracles happening today, and people speaking in unknown languages. She was glowing.
"So, you do this stuff? Are you into this? Is this the next phase?" She smiled.
That night, Nancy and I prayed together and asked Jesus to immerse me in His Holy Spirit. Right away, I started praying in tongues and felt God's presence like never before.
You know what convinced me that this was real? I've always talked in my sleep and my nighttime rattlings were just like my daytime conversations: filled with curse words. Even after I became a Christian, I'd still curse in my sleep. After being baptized in the Spirit, however, the profanity was gone.
Jesus had so many wonderful lessons and experiences for me. I wondered what could possibly be next.
IN BUSINESS WITH JESUS
One October I heard a business owner share how God's blessings on his company had freed up his finances and his schedule, enabling him to devote himself to serving God in new ways. Two months later after much prayer and consultation I quit my job and Nancy and I went into the construction business for ourselves.
We'd been in business for about a year when I heard about a group of businessmen going to Haiti to tell people about Jesus. What an opportunity to serve God! This is what I'd been waiting for! Being self employed, my schedule wasn't a problem. Money, however, was another story.
Then one day a man I knew walked up to me and said, "I'd like to write a check to help pay for your trip to Haiti."
Horrified, I turned him down, only to call him later and accept his money. It was a tough lesson. I'd had so much pride I wanted to be the big shot millionaire, traveling around, doing things for Jesus. I learned that Jesus doesn't need my money. He wants a willing heart. If I'm willing to serve Him, He'll make it happen. He's got the power, the resources, and the clout.
The trip to Haiti was amazing. I prayed for an old man with an infected boil on his knee and saw it disappear before my eyes. But I'd learned my lesson well I knew that all credit belonged to Jesus. Jesus' resources got me to Haiti, and His power did wonders once I was there.
JESUS IN THE WORKPLACE
Since then, God has blessed our company in so many ways! For starters, each of my three sons is an active, valuable member of the company. We are doing almost $30 million a year in business, specializing in hotels, wineries and churches. Finally, we have expanded to the point where we have construction projects going on in three states.
But more important, every day Jesus shows me what it truly means to be a businessman and a Christian at the same time. He has given me the privilege of ministering in countries including Haiti, Russia, Africa and Brazil. For seven years, our company has organized a benefit golf tournament that has raised $100,000 for the Salvation Army. Everyone who works with us suppliers, subcontractors, dients sees that we're different and often asks why.
I even negotiate differently now that I'm a Christian! Every time I go into a meeting, I pray in tongues while driving to my appointment. I immerse myself in the Holy Spirit. I get myself right with the Lord.
Then I can relax. I know Jesus is in charge. Whatever the outcome of the meeting, it's okay, because Jesus is sovereign. Before meeting Jesus, I thought I was in control and that my life was pretty good. Now that I've surrendered to Jesus, my life is better than I ever imagined it could be! Jesus cares about your business, your ministry and your family. All He asks of you is a willing heart ... give it to Him and you'll be amazed at the results!
Wendell Nordby is President of
He and his wife, Nancy,
live in Santa Rosa, California.